Page 42 of The Warrior
I widened my eyes. “Are you completely blind? Don’t you see what’s going on here?”
Khan lowered his brows and took a strong stance between Pearl and me.
Deep sadness over seeing my brother tricked by the enemy made me want to rip Pearl’s office apart. I lashed out and shoved a pile of books on the floor in a threatening way. “You’re a fucking fool, Khan.”
Khan’s nostrils were flaring and he spoke in a low menacing voice. “Step the fuck back. If you touch Pearl, I’llkillyou.”
His words hit me like a physical blow. “You would kill me? So I guess that’s it huh? You choose her over me?”
“Don’t make me!”
“How the fuck am I supposed to protect you from your own stupidity?” I shouted at him. “If our father was here he would tell you that she’s a poisonous snake who’s got her fangs in you. You just don’t see it.”
Khan’s face scrunched up into a grimace of rage, and he pushed hard at my chest. “Get the fuck out of my sight.”
I was just about to turn around when Pearl spoke up in a matter-of-fact tone. “When you two are done shouting, I would like us to talk about it like sane people.”
I pointed at her. “I’m not letting you brainwash me the way you have him.”
She ignored my insult. “You’re allowed to be disappointed and angry. I know many Councilwomen are in shock about the decision to have males on the Council. If they were as expressive as you are, they would be shouting and fuming too.”
“I’m not going to fall for your mental tricks.” I narrowed my eyes again. “You sit there, pretending to be nice, but I’m not falling for it. I see what you’re doing.”
Pearl folded her hands in her lap. “I would love to know what it is you see me doing. Will you come back tomorrow when you’re calm and sit down with me to talk things through?”
Khan spoke in a deep voice. “You’re not talking with Magni without me here.”
“Why?” I looked at Khan. “Are you scared I’ll give your wife the spanking you aren’t man enough to give her?”
His fist hit my jaw so fast, I didn’t have time to blink. “No one touches my wife.”
My respect for Khan was wearing thin. I’d been raised to know my place as the second in command. Our father had always emphasized that Khan and I were strongest together. For years, I had backed down in confrontations between us and swallowed my pride.
My fist clenched, and I took a step back, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I stayed in the room. Khan was five years older than me, but I had been physically superior since my early teen years.
“I’m warning you,” I said in a low ominous tone. “If she has her way, our days as free men are numbered.”
When I turned and left, Khan didn’t answer or come after me. He stayed with Pearl.
CHAPTER 13
Don’t Come Back
Laura
I was abruptly woken by someone shaking me.
“Laura, wake up. It’s me,” Hans whispered.
“What are you doing here?” I asked in a drowsy voice and blinked my eyes open.
Hans had turned on a night lamp and was sitting on the bed. “Your invitation has me unable to sleep.”
“What invitation?”
“You know, your suggestion that we should have sex?”
I rubbed my eyes, unsure if this was some kind of nightmare. “I don’t follow.”
