Ford caught her gaze and shook his head.He wasn’t going to let her put herself between them.If Cruz wanted an argument with Ford, then he could have it.
“Whatever you have to say, say it,” Ford said.
“You’ve known my sister for less than a week and she’s walking around here with stars in her eyes.It’s all too damn fast.I’m sure you’re playing with her, and I want it to end now.”
“Cruz,” Darcy said, wincing.She tugged on Cruz’s arm and he allowed himself to be pulled aside enough for Ford to walk through the doorway.Immediately, Ford put himself between Darcy and her brother, tucking her against his back.
“I hear what you’re saying.You’re her big brother and I respect that.”
“Oh please,” Cruz said with a snort.“You don’t know a thing about us.I’m all she’s got.And you… you’re just some guy who’s sticking around long enough to get his dick wet and then leave.I know your kind.”
Ford exhaled slowly, his stallion furious.
“First of all, Darcy’s mine and I’m hers.And you may not like that or understand it, but it’s the truth.I would walk through broken glass barefoot to keep her safe, and there isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do to keep her close to me.You might be her blood family, but she’s my soulmate and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you talk down to her for the choices of her heart, or insinuate that I’m only after her for one thing.Youdon’t know a thing about me, Cruz.But what you should know, is that I will defend her with my last breath and you can take that to the bank.”
He heard Darcy’s soft gasp, and her hands curled into the back of his shirt.
Cruz stared at him but said nothing.
“She deserves someone who will stand by her no matter how messy life gets, and that’s me.I’m not going anywhere.Not tonight, not tomorrow, no matter how hard things get.You can test me all you want, but I’m not leaving her side.”
Darcy slipped under Ford’s arm and hugged him around his midsection.“Cruz, you don’t get to decide who I fall for.I’m not a little girl who needs to be rescued.Ford hasn’t done anything for you to act like you are.You don’t trust him because I think you don’t want what you and I have to be in jeopardy.But I’ll always be your sister, and we’ll always be close.”
Cruz’s jaw ticked.His gaze tripped between Ford and Darcy.
He seemed to want to keep pushing Ford, but Darcy stepping up at his side had changed things.
“I have my doubts,” Cruz said.
“I don’t,” Darcy said.“And it’s not up to you.”
“Just be careful.”Cruz was speaking to Darcy but staring at Ford.A promise to defend her if needed.Ford appreciated that he wanted to keep his sister safe, but for crap’s sake, he wasn’t going to hurt her.
He loved her.
He’d fallen for her hard this week.It was new love, fresh like spring grass, but it would bloom in time and deepen.He just hadn’t told her yet.The attack against Khyle and Tris by Colton had sent the herd reeling, and he was still working with the others on ways to keep them all safe.
And now he had Darcy to keep safe too.
“We’re leaving,” Darcy said.“Don’t wait up.”
She nodded toward the door to Ford and he walked her out.She shut the door behind them, then sagged against him.He hugged her close and kissed the top of her head.
“Are you okay?”he asked.
“Me?”She tilted her head to look at him.“You’re the one who had to deal with my brother.”
“He’s just trying to watch out for you.”
“I think he means well, but he doesn’t know when to let go of things.We were arguing before you got here.I’m just so sorry about all of it.”
Ford kissed her forehead.“You don’t need to apologize.He loves you, and I’ll take whatever heat he wants to throw at me so you never doubt where I stand with you.”
“Thank you for standing up to him, for standing up for me.”
“I will always defend you, Darcy.You’re the center of my universe.”
“You’re mine too.”
