Page 23 of Protective Phlox

“My brother, Titus. Does he make you wet?”

“That’s a fucked-up question. No, he doesn’t,” I said, anger brewing in the pit of my stomach.

“He better not. I already told you that you’re mine,” he growled, stepping closer.

“This is what you wanted to talk about? Not anything else important that we need to discuss, or how about why you’ve been blatantly avoiding me for three days? You just want to make sure that Titus doesn’t make me wet? Wow, sometimes you’re such an asshole.”

I sidestepped to go around him, but he blocked my way.

“I also got you this.”

He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and lifted the lid.

“What the…Nathan, I can’t wear that. Are you kidding me?”

“No, you’re going to wear it and never take it off.”

“That thing is massive,” I said, staring at the glistening red stone.

“It’s a red diamond, four carats,” Nathan said.

“Exactly, I can’t wear that. I’ll get it caught on everything, and what if I lose it or…and why is it shaped like a heart?”

“Oh, that was just to annoy you,” Nathan said, smiling, and I narrowed my eyes. “I mean, if you really don’t like it, I could have a gem collar made so you can be led around like one of Titus’s dogs.” He smirked.

“Well, aren’t you just full of jokes today?”

“Keep up the snarky attitude, and I’ll get you one. To be honest, I’d love to see you crawl to me with a collar on while I held the end of the leash.” He smiled wide, and I sucked in a deep breath. He knew I didn’t do anything outlandish, and you didn’t get any more ostentatious than a four-carat, heart-shaped, diamond ring. What the hell?

“Where’s your ring?”

He held up his hand to show off a gold and silver band with a tiny red stone in the middle. Shit.

“Fine, I’ll wear it.” I held out my hand.

“Don’t sound so excited,” he said, and I bit back the anger that wasn’t going to help either of us.

“I’m just annoyed, Nathan. There are things we need to talk about, and ignoring me and trying to placate me with gifts isn’t going to make any of it easier to discuss.”

“I’ve been busy,” he said, walking out of the closet. “I’ll let you get changed, but we’ll talk before the week is out.” I followed him out and laid the clothes I was going to wear on the bed. “Oh, and Savannah, the paperwork is drawn up to have Cutter’s name restored to Mikhailov like it always should’ve been. Be prepared to sign them.”

“What….” He walked out of the room and closed the door on what I was going to say.

“Ever heard of asking first?” I yelled and fumed, stomping my foot.

It was official. I was going to rip his balls off. Forget having sex with him. That was a dick move. I would’ve said yes. That wasn’t even a question. However, the blatant disregard for my feelings or input was infuriating.

Thank God I was getting out of the house for a few hours because I was liable to go postal if I didn’t

Chapter

Ten

SAVANNAH

My blood had always run hotter than most. I was quick to anger, highly competitive, and wanted to be the best and first at everything. What I’d never been was someone with high levels of anxiety. That was until Cutter was born. The constant thrum of fear that flowed under my skin where he was concerned was enough to give anyone an early-onset heart attack.

Everything started fine. Cutter kissed me goodbye, then went back to playing, and I got in the blacked-out vehicle with Helena, excited to do something outside the mansion and get a better look around. But the moment we pulled out of the massive iron gates, everything went sideways.