He,Drake, cursed, dragging a hand over his face. “Bloody perfect.”
Hah! So he was intimidating her without the knowledge of his family?
Interesting.
Surprisingly, any fear she might still have harbored disappeared. Why should she be afraid? They, the Furys, ought to know the friends behind her. She couldn’t just disappear. Suspicion would fall on them first. She lifted her chin and asked boldly, “Are you going to lock me up here?”
Drake barked a laugh, low, derisive, maddeningly amused. “Lock you up?” Those eyes bore into her. “Not today.”
Ah, good, then.
He strode to the nearest cell and reached for the iron bars and pushed the door wide, its hinges protesting with a miserable groan, stepping inside and turning back to her, arms spreading in a gesture far too theatrical for a man of his coldness.
Her eyes fell on the ring of keys hanging from the lock before lifting to him again.
Hmm.
“But this is what awaits those who cross me, Miss Sharpe.” His voice dropped to a dangerous softness. “Take a good look. I do not issue warnings twice.”
Violet stepped up to the cell, indulging the brute, her attention never leaving him as she did so. She even stuck her head in and glanced around when he didn’t move and simply continued to watch her.
She suddenly grinned.
Did the man truly believe her to be an innocent flower?
“What’s so funny—?”
His words cut off when her hands circled the cell door before she had time to think herself out of her mad idea. One bold reach. Once gliding action. The door swung shut between them with a ringingclang. She turned the key and tore it out, swiftly retreating before he could react.
Her gaze met his hard, flat one.
“What are you doing, Violet?”
Blazes. Never mind her spine, her name on his lips, with that calm drawl, sent shivers skittering through her very vitals! “Improving the situation,” she replied briskly.
“I’m serious, Violet.”
So was she. “Well,” she said, smoothing her skirts and praying her heart stayed in her breast, “you did say you were a visual man, Mr. Fury. I merely wished to see your face whenIshowedyousomething.” She inhaled and exhaled deeply before saying, “Just because I love flowers doesn’t mean I am a flower.However, even if you continue to believe I am, you should know, some flowers are carnivores.”
“Noted,” he murmured, and his continued calm seemed to fill the entire dungeon. “Open the door, Violet.”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” she returned, stepping back.
“Violet.”
Was it crazy to love the way he growled her name?
Yes, Violet! The man brought you to a dungeon!
“I’m sorry. I’m sure your brother will no doubt find you here soon.”
The man’s scar twisted into something dangerous and furious and—blazing skies—far too compelling.
“Miss Sharpe,” he warned, voice cracking like thunder, “unlock. This. Door. Donotbloody court trouble with me.”
“On the contrary,” Violet responded. “This might be the first sensible choice I have made since meeting you.” She paused and added as an afterthought, “Today.”
His scowl turned fierce.
