Page 31 of Dust to Dust

“Excuse me?”

I cut my eyes over to Dare’s incredulous face. “I said it’s not happening.”

“Why the fuck not?” Dare demanded.

There wasn’t any reason I could give him that didn’t involve me outing my feelings for Isla. Once I did that, I knew he and Callum would ride my ass constantly about it. Whatever there was between us, it was too precious to have it tainted by my brothers.

“Because you and I both know you don’t shit where you eat.”

“It’s never stopped us before.”

Dammit. He had me there. In the past, we’d all sampled from the feast of women the club provided.

“Well, it’s going to stop with Isla. She’s getting along well with the other girls. If one of the owners seeks her out, it’ll cause contention with the others.”

Dare busted out laughing. “Seriously, Mate? That’s the best excuse you could come up with?”

With a shrug, I replied, “I’m just stating facts. You know how the girls can be. Isla’s already the most sought after girl, which is only going to spark jealousy.”

“Cut the bullshit.”

“I’m not.”

Clapping me on the back, Dare shot me a serious look. “Quinn, you know it’s more than okay for you to use her whenever your dick gets hard.”

With a growl, I shoved him, causing his eyes to pop wide. “Don’t talk about her like that. Isla is so much more than a wet hole for my cock.”

A smirk curved on his lips. “Just as I thought. You want more than to fuck her.”

“I do not.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Feck off.”

“With all seriousness brother, there’s nothing wrong with you dating her.”

I grunted. “I’m the last thing that wee lass needs.”

Dare playfully rolled his eyes. “Yeah, just what every girl hates: a rich, handsome man who is obsessed with her,” he teased

“You and I both know that I come with seen and unseen baggage that negates all that.”

While I expected sympathy, if not pity, to reflect in Dare’s eyes, I wasn’t prepared for the growl of frustration. “Don’t fucking run yourself down in my presence, boyo.”

With a mirthless laugh, I replied, “It’s my physical and emotional trauma, and I’ll deal with it how I please.”

Dare shook his head. “Not if it means refusing to see things for what they are.”

“And what is that exactly?”

“That despite what you went through in the bombing you are still a very eligible bachelor who that lass would be very lucky to land.”

As I stared into his intense blue eyes, I appreciated his comment more than he could ever imagine. Unable to express that in words, I merely nodded at him. “While all that might be true, let’s not forget for one minute that you and I both have our cocks on the block for arranged marriages. Last time I checked, Isla’s family isn’t someone we need an alliance with.”

Dare’s lip curled in disgust. “Neither of us has to take part in that bullshit.”

“Protecting the family through strong alliances isn’t bullshit,” I growled.

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