Khalil merely cracks his neck before adjusting his stance and crossing his arms. The move makes the huge muscles in his arms bulge, effectively warning off anyone stupid enough to consider trying him.
Ignoring my uncle’s tirade, I turn to the sheriff, who suddenly looks unsure. “I’ll be fine.”
“If you insist. I’ll be right on the porch,” he warns before nodding, tipping his hat, and leaving.
When my gaze travels to Khalil, he immediately catches on and growls before I can make the request. “Don’t even think about it, Goldilocks.”
Foolishly, I wanted the chance to face my uncle alone and prove he had no real power over me, but I can tell that Khalil won’t give a damn.
“Fine. You can stay,” I utter under my breath. “But promise me that no matter what you hear, you will not interfere. I have to deal with him on my own. In my own way.”
A few emotions play across Khalil’s face as he internally battles with that part of himself that sees me as being strong andcapable and the other part that wants to defend me no matter what.
One false move and he won’t hesitate to snap my uncle in half. Actually, as amusing as that would be to watch, it’s not worth the risk with the sheriff right outside. On the other hand, Khalil doesn’t look like he gives a damn about that either. It’s hard to be upset with him knowing he’d do anything to keep me safe, but it’s not a get-out-jail-free card.
I’ll scream and curse and cry at his betrayal later. Better to do it when Thorin and Zeke are around to receive my ire as well. I won’t have to rinse and repeat.
As soon as the sheriff is gone, my uncle gestures toward Khalil—the only other threat in the room that’s keeping him from saying and doing whatever he wants with me. “Who are you?” he demands even though the narrowing of his gaze tells me he already knows.
“He’s the man who saved my life. One of them anyway.”
“And you’ve been with him? This whole time?”
“Pretty much.”
“So what do you want?” my uncle asks Khalil. “Money?”
Khalil growls and bares his teeth.
I clear my throat. “I wouldn’t do that again if I were you.”
“Do what?” my uncle snaps.
“Insult him. He’s not here for money. He’s here for me.”
“Aurelia, you’re an incredibly wealthy woman. Don’t be so naive. This is why you need me. This is why you cannot stay here and continue pretending you’re dead. It’s going to be hard enough explaining your disappearance without some internet personality with a few followers calling it a hoax. How many gullible people do you think it will take for the rumor to spread like wildfire and become popular opinion?” Before I can respond and tell him just how little I care, he plows on, his voice turning desperate and pleading. “Right now, the world is mourning you.For fuck’s sake, you’ve practically been given sainthood! But if it gets out that you’re not onlyalivebut allowing everyone to believe you’re dead so you can shack up with this…this…Neanderthal, we’ll end up right back where we started. Worse even!”
Classic Uncle Mars. Only ever concerned about the optics. I’m so glad I’ve decided not to live like that anymore. The best part of being dead is no fucks to give. “I hear you, Uncle Mars, but I don’t care, and it’s not up to you. I’m not the same girl you sent up here to lick her wounds. You can’t control me anymore.”
“Is that what you think I was doing? I raised you. I protected you. Goddamn it, Imadeyou!”
“No. Youusedme.”
“I made you astar.”
“And fattened your pockets while you were at it, so I’d say we’re even. I don’t owe you a thing.”
“Like hell you don’t. You think a strong voice and a pretty face is what got you where you are? I could have made a thousand of you. It’s time to grow up and realize you’re nothing special. Everything you have is because ofme!”
My uncle hits his chest, and I hate myself for flinching.
Khalil—my Neanderthal—must take it as a threat because he steps forward, pushing me behind the protective shelter of his body.
“What the hell are you doing?” Uncle Mars stumbles in retreat when Khalil keeps going, backing him down without a word. “Move out of the way. I’m speaking with my niece.”
“And if you want to keep speaking to her in my presence, I suggest you lower your voice with the motherfucking quickness.”
“You don’t have any authority here! This is between my niece and me!”
