Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(43)

Garrett





Chapter 19





I entered my study in the best mood I had been in years, whistling the song that played when I held her in my arms. I smiled, thinking back to her begging me to participate in a pie eating contest, something we both had never done before. The excitement she radiated was contagious, and I couldn’t deny her anything she wanted. She won second place, holding up a red ribbon with pride, pie covering her face. She never looked so adorable.

The rest of the night included her dancing with old Samuel, who was the only man I’d let her dance with, played cards with drunk men who ogled her, then taking her earnings and giving it to the children. Then she danced with me some more. That was what stuck out in my mind the most; her being in my arms, looking up at me with those green eyes. Her wild spirit and those velvety lips consumed me.

I was in trouble.

I couldn’t imagine going back to living my life where she didn’t exist to me, other than someone to look after. She took something from me, and I’m not sure what it was, but I wanted more of her. The need to have more time with her consumed my thoughts the whole night. To take her out of Telliva and show her what else the world had to offer, watching the awe and excitement in her eyes. I wanted to give her what she desired; to explore and be free from walls and guards. And I wanted to explore her.

Fuck. I was in big trouble.

A shadowed figure moved in the dim light of my study. Not wanting to alert the person that I noticed, I didn’t turn around, but waited for them to make their move.

“Out a little late, weren’t you?” the voice asked from behind me. Taking a chance on the distance the intruder was behind me, I swung around and punched him in the gut. Twisting him, I pulled out my knife and held it to his throat. His very familiar throat.

“Now...I know why no one has attempted to kill you,” George choked.

“You can’t sneak up on a man like that,” I growled, removing the knife and pushing him away.

George held a hand to his stomach and faced me. “Duly noted.”

Femme Fatale, I taught him better than that.

“What the hell are you doing in here?” Needing a drink to calm my adrenaline, I strode to my fireplace mantel.

“Where were you tonight?” George countered. He picked one of the chairs in front of my desk and sat. “Normally you are here, pining away with plans or playing cards with your guards.”

I shrugged, reaching for two glasses and the decanter of brandy. “Out.”

“Hence, why I asked where you were. Where?” He crossed his arms. “That important?”

“You could say that.” I place down my items on my desk, examining his stiff posture. “Was there something you needed?”

“Actually, yes.” He stretched for the decanter, not waiting for me, and poured himself half a glass, swigging it down before pouring more. “You fucking threatened Ava’s safety, which I strictly forbade her to leave without a handful of guards nearby.”

My jaw twitched.

So he was spying on me, eh?

I clenched my hands to keep myself from pulling my brother over this table and beating the shit out of him for questioning me. “She is safe.”

He sneered. “You’re a fucking idiot, you know that? Why didn’t you just ask me? I would have—”

“Said no, and there is this man called our father who would have shot that idea down as quickly as it was spoken.” He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it. “Don’t bullshit me and say you would have helped me. Even Ava knows—”

“Don’t use her against me.” He slammed his glass on the table, brandy splashing over the rim. “She is here to be kept safe. So that I can make sure nothing happens. And now my brother is sneaking her out of the castle like a fucking—”

“She needs to be let off your leash once in a while, George,” I snapped, lifting the edge of the desk and crashing it to the floor. He was pissing me off, completely ruining my evening.

“It’s not a leash, it's her safety! I can’t afford to have something happen to her.”

“Afford?”

“You know how much I care for her!” His eyes bore daggers into me, but I ignored it, sitting in my chair so I didn’t flip him out of his, or throw this expensive brandy across the room.

“Plenty, I see.”

“And why wouldn’t I?” he spat. “I’ve known her since we were children. She’s my—”

“Ex-fiancée. Yes, I’m aware,” I ground out bitterly.

“Best friend,” George corrected.

“She was fine. I was with her.” I clenched the arms of my chair, attempting to keep my temper in check.

“Alone. With no chaperone, and you had no backup. Did you even have another plan?”

“I did.”

“And you would take the risk?” He exhaled a shaky breath. “I can’t believe you. You are always so careful and—”

“Maybe I’m tired of being vigilant all the time.” I pointed out. “Maybe I needed a night off.”

George was silent for a moment, biting his upper lip and rubbing his chin. “You carry a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. You received the short end of the stick. Next time you need a timeout, keep Ava out of it.”