Page 97 of Brutal Ice

“Violet!” Her name emerged from Dawson as a croak. “Help!”

Royal glared at him. “You’re the sonofabitch who locked Violet in a closet when she was a kid. Did you apologize for that shit? Did you tell her you were sorry?”

Her mouth dropped open. Then snapped closed.

Her brother’s eyes bulged.

“And don’t be so damn grabby with her,” Royal fired off.

“Uh, Royal, let him go,” Beau ordered.

He didn’t.

“Royal, let my brother go,” she whispered.

He immediately let Dawson go. “She needs an apology.” His head turned toward her. His eyes blazed.

All of the moisture had dried from her mouth.

“Bro.” Beau shook his head. “We need to talk. Alone.”

Dawson rubbed his hand over his neck. “Are you crazy?” he half-yelled. “Seriously psycho? You don’t just attack someone. Jesus! Violet, let’s get the hell out of here!” And Dawson reached for her again.

A growl rumbled from Royal.

Dawson’s eyes turned into saucers.

Beau immediately hauled Royal away from Dawson. “We’re just gonna take a minute,” Beau announced to the group. “Gonna have a quick talk. You guys, uh, why don’t you get something from the kitchen? I’m sure you’re all hungry.”

Royal’s head turned toward Violet. “Do not leave this house.”

“Uh, yeah, Violet.” Dawson sidled toward her. “We need to leave this house. As fast as humanly possible.” He grimaced. “That’s the guy who has been protecting you? The one you said was so good? Screw that shit. He is crazy. Certifiable. Let’s get away from him, now.”

From the corner of her eye, she realized that Kai had moved to position his body so that in order to leave the den and go back toward the front door, they’d have to go through him.

Not that she intended to leave. Quite the opposite. “I’m not leaving.”

Royal nodded. And he let Beau pull him toward the study that waited on the right.

“Why the hell not?” Dawson demanded.

She sighed. “Because I’m exactly where I want to be.”

Beau slammed the study door and immediately took up a position in front of it. With his hands on his hips, he glowered at Royal. “Have you lost your ever-loving mind? You just wrapped your hand around her brother’s throat and pinned him to the wall. In front of the woman! And I’d bet odds you’re responsible for his busted lip, too!”

Royal paced in front of his desk. Back and forth. Fast, angry movements.

“I don’t see Violet slugging me!” Beau continued. “Not like she tries to attack me every time our paths cross. So why in the hell would you go at him?”

“He locked her in a closet when she was a kid.” Royal raked a hand down his face. “She freaking hates the dark and tight spaces now. Asshole still hasn’t said sorry. He will,” Royal swore.

“What. The. Hell?”

Royal’s head whipped toward Beau.

“Where is your control? You’re attacking her family? In front of her?”

“He locked her in a closet,” Royal gritted out.

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