I couldn’t listen to her this time. As much as I hated to make a mess for her, I was too upset and couldn’t stay there. Everything had exploded in my face. All I had wanted was a piece of normal others had—a piece ofpeaceand to not live in pain and guilt.
And now it was all gone.
I was so upset that I was flustered and got turned around since I didn’t know the hospital well and apparently couldn’t function without being babysat. It upset me more to know that I was really as stupid and incompetent as my husband and family always said I was.
Instead of stopping and settling myself so I could focus on signs or even look at the maps posted on walls, I just keptmoving like the ultimate idiot in horror movies. Or maybe spy movies to point out who was incompetent.
It worked for me right then too.
Finally, I was exhausted from my upset and tears filled my eyes as I realized that I’d been circling around somehow, the same sign right in front of my face. I let out a shaky breath and tried to think of what to do, how I should handle this, when I was roughly grabbed and spun to face someone.
“You really are a moron, Sister,” my eldest brother said in French. “At least it finally got you away from that dog even if I had to chase you in circles.”
“Andrew,” I whimpered.
He grabbed my other upper arm and shook me. “Youdareto try and bite us, you bitch? You were supposed to bring Theresa into the family as she should be and instead you both think you are the same as men and would sue us? As if you are worthy of the family money or any sort of—”
“Let her go before you lose those hands,” a deep voice yelled from behind me as he approached fast.
Andrew stopped shaking me and tried to push me behind him, but I snapped out of my shock and used one of the moves Xavier had taught me and blocked his hand, quickly moving away. The look of death Andrew gave me for daring to go against him made my whole body feel weak.
“Hey, I said leave her alone,” Creed bellowed, understanding I was about to be in more trouble.
“This doesn’t concern you,” Andrew said in better English than I would have expected given the way he looked down on everyone else besides the French. “This is a family matter, so you can—”
Creed ignored him and moved in front of me protectively. “This the mate?”
I didn’t realize what he meant until Andrew snorted, but I couldn’t get my voice to work around my brother, terrified of him. I simply grabbed onto Creed and shook my head.
“I am her eldest brother and about to take over our coven,” Andrew said confidently. “I was sent by our father to fetch her, so step aside and—”
“Yeah, not happening,” Creed drawled. “She’s not an errand or something you’re picking up from the store. She’s a damn person, and clearly she doesn’t want to go with you.”
“What does it matter what she wants?” Andrew asked, looking at him like he’d grown another head. “She is but a woman.”
“Is he for real?” Creed asked me.
Unfortunately, he was, but I still couldn’t get my mouth to work, so I just nodded.
“She’s not going with you,” Creed declared. “So, move it along or I’m getting security and—”
“Really, Aurora? You’re fucking another dog? Being a harlot with one wasn’t enough so you—”
Creed chuckled which surprised both of us. “So, you know what you’re doing is wrong if you had to do it when she was alone. Enough with the bullshit, asshole. If you had everyrightto just claim her, you wouldn’t have to wait until she was away from herbodyguard.”
He moved my hand off of him and stepped closer to Andrew, tilting his head and staring down at him, showing off the height difference… Which Andrew didn’t like from the rage in his eyes.
“And no shade to her guard, but I’m no dog, dickhead. I’m sure he’s well trained if Ellie Reed hired him. She’s smart and connected, but I’m way more deadly of an animal and raised on the street. So not only would you be very fucking dead, but I’d make it hurt forfun.” He chuckled darkly. “Now get the fuck outta here before I let mylionhunt.”
Andrew narrowed his eyes at him before focusing on me. “Drop the lawsuit and come home. Do not upset Father any more than you have, Aurora. You know the punishments if you do. Bring that bitch Theresa and maybe he will forgive you—”
“I willneverhand my daughter over to any of you monsters,” I yelled, pushing off the wall and moving towards him. “Never, Andrew! Centuries didn’t break me—Theresa is better than any of you, and you’re sojealousof her that it’s pathetic. She’s one of the most sought-after attorneys in all of Europe and you hold onto being Father’s heir as if that means—”
I was so into my rant, finally able to speak when I was afraid for Theresa that I didn’t see Andrew make a move until his hand was close to my face.
But then he was across the hallway, unconscious and collapsed to the ground. I blinked at him and then looked up at Creed, realizing he’d punched Andrew. One punch and that was the result.
“Don’t be scared. It pisses me off when people get scared when I do things to protect them,” he grumbled, looking anywhere but at me.
