Page 12 of The Ruler
“Because we care about you.”
He waved a dismissive hand and turned his back to me. “I’m not a child, so just leave me the fuck alone.”
For a long minute, he stood with his shoulders tensed up while I waited by the door for him to cool down.
“I know you’re suffering, but you’re still my right hand and advisor.”
“And?”
“And I need you to take a walk with me.”
Magni didn’t protest but walked with me to the gardens where we met up with Boulder who was guarding the two Momsies from a distance.”
“Hey.” Boulder was resting up against the wall of the Gray Manor and soaking up sunshine. Nodding toward Pearl, Boulder asked Magni, “Are you going to be her protector?”
Magni scoffed. “Gladly. That way I can pressure that woman like a grape until she admits that they know where Laura is.”
“Which is why you’re not going near her,” I said in a low, grumpy tone. “She says they don’t know.”
Magni hissed back, “And I told you that it’s a fucking lie. Of course, they know. Give me an hour alone with the blonde and I swear I’ll get her to talk.”
“If Magni isn’t her protector, then who is? Finn?” Boulder asked and rolled his shoulders.
I crossed my arms preparing for their shock. “I am.”
“You?” Boulder gaped.
“Why not?”
He grinned. “Is that a joke?”
“Do I look like I’m fucking joking?”
“No,” he answered at the same time that Magni leaned closer and made another threat.
“Then you’d better watch her closely, brother. If I find that councilwoman alone, Iwilldo what it takes to make her talk.”
The fact that he dared threaten me in front of others made me snap.Smack,my fist connected full force with Magni’s cheek to the accompaniment of a loud sound and a deep groan from him.
When he looked up there was fury in his eyes and I expected him to come at me, but Boulder stepped between us.
“Go, Magni, just go,” Boulder exclaimed and pushed Magni back.
“You’re lucky there’s an audience, but know this,” he snarled at me, “If you ever fucking hit me again I will hit back so hard you’ll need dental implants.”
“You fucking deserved it. If I had threatened Laura you would have done the same thing. Don’t think for one second that you get to threaten a female undermyprotection.”
We scowled at each other.
“You’ve done enough damage kidnapping the priestess,” I reminded him.
Magni growled in frustration but left us without responding.
“Boulder,” I said, “I need you to keep a sharp mind. We’ve got work to do.”
“What kind of work?”
I lowered my voice with a discreet nod toward the women. “Why do you think I’m protecting the councilwoman myself?”
