Page 155 of Ashborne: Defiance

“Why would you care? If she likes it—”

“She’s a fucking noble! And an innocent.”

“Those ones are the most fun,” he said with a shrug, his eyes glittering. “Teach them. Mold them the way you like them.”

I shoved him back against the stable wall, but he didn’t even grunt. He fucking smiled. “I swear to God, Gil, if you lay one finger on her—”

“What? What will you do?”

I went still and realized what I was doing. I had hands on my brother. The man I trusted the most of anyone, except Kham. I was confident if it came to it, I could take him. But, I also knew he’d never let me hear the last of it. And I didn’t want to hurt Gil.

I swallowed and let him go, took a step back. “Don’t touch her,” I muttered.

“Or what?”

“It’s against every boundary we ever set, and you know it.”

“But, our general breached that boundary—”

“He was mated to Bren. Not just a horny bull.”

Gil shrugged, and the hair rose on my arms. I stared him straight in the eye, swallowed the rage, but let him see that I could call on it. “She’s not for you.”

“So, she’s for you?”

“No. She’s not for any of us.”

“How do you know?”

“I just know.”

Gil huffed and shook his head, folding his arms. “But you just don’t trust her… right?”

“What the hell does that have to do with—”

“Get it together, Voski. Whatever you’re running from, stop. It’s going to come back and bite both of you.”

I spluttered, but he just turned on his heel and walked off.

“Hey!” I yelled after him. “What the hell asshole move was that? Are you going after her or not?!”

But he just raised one hand and made a rude gesture as he walked. He didn’t even look back.

I cursed. I knew he was taunting me. Knew he wanted to get under my skin, and if I pressed, he’d only be more convinced something was going on.

But I couldn’t shake the sick feeling when my traitorous mind reminded me of the way he’d stood over her at the intersection of aisles, close and smiling. Talking softly. And how easily and quickly he was capable of turning that kind of tender strength into seduction. Women loved Gil.

Especially women who were afraid.

Especially women who were adventurous.

Especially women who had no experience with sexual thrill and were discussing their own bodies as you touched them and—gah!

I cursed, grabbed my satchel, and stormed out of the stable. Ignoring the fact that he’d gone through the main doors, I turned down the eastern aisle and headed out to the launch hollow. I didn’t usually go to the Solitude by the most direct route. I didn’t want anyone following me and discovering it.

But I was done. Finished.

I needed quiet, and an empty head, and sunshine. I needed to get the fuck away from Lady Grace Barnslow and anyone who had anything to do with her.