“Hey, I was on my way to the coliseum. Rowan’s expecting me,” I said, dropping the enforcer’s name purposely. “And I’m running late.”
Brody took a step forward. “Quinn, you don’t know what you’re getting into.”
I stepped back. “I think I have a good idea—”
“You don’t,” Seth cut me off. “Cayden’s a Lawson. Women disappear into their compound and are never seen again. Their family hastheir finger in every pie. Look at how easily he made friends with your roommate.”
I sighed, though unease churned under my skin. “What’s wrong with Erick, other than everything?”
Seth looked down his nose. “He’s a spy for his family. It’s obvious.”
“He could be.” I threw up my hands. “But I know literally nothing.”
“You are information.” Brody stepped forward. “Quinn, everyone knows now. How could you be so stupid? It was our secret to keep you safe.”
I took a sharp breath. ‘Our secret to keep you safe.’ Was he referring to the two of us, or Hope, Chancellor Morgen, and every other person trying to steer me?
Ezra. Fucking Ezra.
The dark and handsome mage was still at the top of my mind. I couldn't imagine he’d want Brody to harass me. The stoic general asked before touching me platonically at the gym, but he’d also trapped me inside the castle walls.
“Brody,” I said, meeting the kid’s angry gaze. “This is stalking. Like whatever you did to your sister.” I didn’t know if that was true, but it couldn’t hurt to let him think I knew more than I did.
Brody paled and hunched his shoulders defensively. “She kept staying out. Dad told her not to, but she didn’t listen. She was going to get hurt.” He straightened and leaned toward me. “Women are precious. They need to be kept clean and controlled so they can’t get hurt.”
My stomach twisted while my hackles rose. ‘My precious.’Gollum fromThe Lord of the Ringshissed in my head.
“I only used my magic a little and made her safe.” Brody clenched his fist in front of himself, and his tone took on a hard edge. “That’s all I wanted. I am a protector, and my family didn’t understand that.They accused me of being a mentalist, but I’m not. You know I’m not. You get me, Quinn. I know you do.”
I looked right at Seth, who flinched and side-eyed Brody, clearly unaware of what he’d gotten into.
I bit my lips together and focused on Brody again. “You’re not my protector, Brody. You’ve got to stop following me.” I kept my words short and impactful. “Knocking on my door. Knowing my schedule. Waiting for me to leave my room.” I put my hands on my hips. “It’s not right.”
Seth sidestepped, looking between us.
“If I’d waited outside your door, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.” Rage heated Brody’s words, and his voice cracked, only making him feel more unpredictable. “No one believes you fell. Someone hurt you because you were alone. You promised me a shot.”
I flailed my hands. “I was new and confused, and you took advantage of that.”
“Cayden’s evil,” Brody almost hissed the second word. “He’s got twenty kids, most of them from raping his cousins.”
Cayden wasn’t that much older than me and loaded. I had no idea what his past was, but twenty kids, all from rape, couldn’t be it.
Brody took another small step toward me, and my heart raced with fear. I glanced at Seth, who watched me with apologetic eyes, but didn’t move. Coward. Brody had magic. His lanky teenage body would still overpower me in a heartbeat. I wanted to run, but turning my back on the violence in Brody’s eyes was a worse idea.
“His family treats women like cattle,” Brody pushed, seeing his words impact me. “I can’t let that be you next. You’re beautiful and strong. Cayden will destroy you.”
“Then it’s a good thing I have Everly and Brit to back me up.” The fear in my voice was the exact opposite of my words.
Seth took another step farther from Brody, though he still kept his distance from both of us. “I don’t know if Cayden’s evil.” He held out a single hand. “But he’s a Lawson. He has other kids already, I guarantee it.” His voice sounded apologetic and too reasonable. “Whatever he’s promised you is a lie. Maybe I approached this wrong, but at least take a second look at Cayden.”
I took another step away from them. Cayden was my friend, one of the three people in this world I trusted.
A hand landed on my shoulder, making me jump. I looked up to find Rowan’s glowing white eyes looking down at me.
“You’re late,” he said. “Are these men bothering you?”
The warmth of his hand sank into my tense shoulders. His enforcer blacks filled my peripheral vision. Seth turned white as a sheet. I honestly believed he had no idea who he’d joined forces with. And Brody, I couldn’t read him. He’d gone so still, and his eyes bore into me and only me.
