And yet. Bloody yet. All it had taken was a whisperedthank youfor a silent vow to burn Brighton down if anyone harmed her. Period.
“She’s not your problem,” Maxen clarified.
“She’s yours, which makes her mine.”
“She’s notyours,” the snap of a growl came before he could stop himself.
Drake gave a low whistle.
Before Drake could further mock him, the unmistakable creak of a bed frame had them freeze.
Maxen’s spine snapped straight. “Leave,” he commanded his brother.
Drake grinned. “Now why would I do that when I’m just about tomeet the woman who made you laugh last night?”
Damn Reaper’s hide.
“Drake—”
A door opened.
And there she was. Tousled and with sleep-heavy eyes, she blinked. And God... during the night he could forcibly overlook her nightwear. But in the light of day? A string of curses tore across his mind. Everything was justmore. Her golden hair, tumbled in loose waves over her shoulders, seemed to glow, as if lit from within. The swell of her breasts was near blinding. Even her bare feet felt too intimate to witness.
His eyes, however, latched onto the coat she wore.
Hiscoat.
Which swallowed her small frame.
Drake let out another low whistle. “Well, good morning, Miss Turner.”
Maxen wanted to snatch her from his brother’s sight.
Prince padded over to stop beside her. “You are?” she asked.
His brother stepped up and, with an audacious smile, offered his hand. “How rude of me. Drake Fury at your service.”
Her eyes flicked between them before placing her hand in Drake’s, and Maxen nearly grabbed his brother by the collar and tossed him out.
She pulled back her hand. “You were the man that settled my lease with Mr. Fitz?”
“That would be my other brother, Dagger.”
“I see. Are you here about what happened last night? Where is the man you caught?”
Maxen looked to his brother. He hadn’t had a chance to ask.
Drake’s humor vanished. “He still hasn’t spoken a damn word.”
“Then he’s trained,” Maxen suggested.
“Trained?” Calliope asked, brows pinching.
What the devil was wrong with Drake, choosingnowof all times?
“In interrogation,” Drake clarified, voice clipped. “Which means he’s a professional. The only question is whether he was after you, Miss Turner, or after us. Do you have any enemies who would wish to harm you?”
She stilled, visibly paling.
