Page 595 of Dark Love

Vex

“Maverick.” Basil walks up and fist-bumps me. “Man, we missed you on the course today.”

“You mean you missed winning another grand from him.” Montgomery ambles in. “Prue the prude. You’re looking lovely, as always.”

What did he just call Dahlia!?!

Montgomery slings an arm around her shoulders, and she cringes away.

I’m going to kill him.

Why hasn’t Basil stepped in? Brothers are supposed to protect their sisters.

“How is your wife?” Dahlia asks.

“Don’t be such a prude.” Monty lets her go, which is the only reason he’s still breathing.

Though I’m not sure he will befor long.

“We’re divorced. She got the house and the kids, and I got my freedom.” Monty takes a long pull of his drink.

Dahlia moves towards me as I place my body between her and my new enemy.

“Now you and I can get together.”

“Not funny Monty. You’re talking about my sister.”

“Whatever. Your sister is hot, even if she dresses like a prude.”

If he calls her that one more time, I’m going to put my fist through his teeth.

“Dinner’s ready.” Dahlia’s dad walks into the room.

Monty and Basil file out quickly while Dahlia and I linger behind.

“Don’t kill him. Monty is just being Monty,” she whispers. “He’s had a hard life and went through a bad divorce.”

“There’s no excuse to touch a woman without her permission.”

Dahlia leans up and whispers in my ear, “I love you.”

There isn’t time for me to respond the way I want to.

“Maverick, you can sit right there next to Dahlia.”

Good. There’s no way I could stand seeing her sit next to Monty. I pull out the chair for her to sit down, and it takes all my self-control not to brush her hair off her shoulder. This is going to be a long meal.

“I was so excited that Dahlia came home that I couldn’t stop myself from making her favorite meal.”

Monty and Basil sneer at the plate.

“Do we really need to eat rabbit food?” Basil glares at his sister.

Rabbit food?

“Don’t worry, I made the rest of you something to eat, but Dahlia loves vegetable curry.”

What? “Did you just say Dahlia’s favorite food is vegetable curry?”