No, she didn’t have it.Hedid.
“I saw you with it,” Simon answered. “Don’t make this difficult.”
For a moment, no one moved.
Christian focused on Willow. She had nothing to hand over to his brother. Yet, Christian was afraid she would draw her sword and fight. Before she could act, Christian declared, “I have it. She gave it to me.”
Simon turned to Christian. He said nothing for a long moment, simply appraising Christian. He narrowed his eyes. “You’ve lied before, Dalcop. You know how badly Father wants that book. Prove you have it.”
“Stop calling him that!” Willow exclaimed.
Simon chuckled.
Christian was shocked at her defense. “It’s well, Willow. I’ve grown used to it,” Christian said.
“Willow?” Simon echoed, surprised. “Willow Hawke?”
She lifted her chin. “You know me,” she said with mock significance. “Then you know I am skilled with a sword.”
Christian inhaled and closed his eyes. He had never told Simon or his father about Willow. She was too important to him. He had kept his feelings for her a well-guarded secret. His family didn’t need more ways to manipulate him.
“Aye. I’ve heard. But not better than I am,” Simon promised.
Willow set her jaw, her eyes sparking at the insult, and she opened her mouth to respond.
“We were just leaving,” Christian cut in before Willow fell victim to Simon’s trap. His brother was goading her into a fight, and Christian didn’t want her sword-fighting his brother. She was well trained, but his brother didn’t fight honorably. Christian would never let them fight. Willow would believe it a mock battle, but to Simon, a sword fight was life or death.
Simon grinned. “Are you afraid I will defeat her as I did you?”
“I’m afraid we’d waste time with you,” Christian said and stood.
Willow also rose to her feet.
Christian was inches taller than Simon. He faced his brother, glaring into his eyes. They had never gotten along. Simon had always been his father’s favorite, and Christian had become used to his father’s disinterest and dislike.
Simon didn’t step aside. He faced Christian brazenly like a stone barrier. “I want that book.Fatherwants that book.”
Simon would do anything for Father. If the book were what Father wanted, then Simon would stop at nothing to obtain it. “I have to get it,” Christian said tightly.
“Go,” Simon encouraged.
Christian looked at Willow and jerked his head toward the door.
Willow took one step to follow Christian before Simon slid into her path.
“We will wait for you here,” Simon said, smiling at Willow.
Christian exchanged glances with Willow. He didn’t want to leave her with his brother. But he had no choice. He nodded and walked across the room. He opened the door and turned back to Willow.
She stared at him intensely.
Christian turned away. It was a great chance to escape. Escape her. Escape his brother. No more distractions. Just the book.
Simon jerked a finger at the guard. “Go with him.”
The door closed behind Christian and the guard.
Willow stared at it for a long moment. She didn’t trust Christian. He had the book, while she was stuck here with his brother. Why wouldn’t he leave?
