Page 108 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

“Don’t,” Silas says without looking at him.

Oh, that does it.

I step forward before I’ve fully decided to, anger hitting so hard it burns clean. “Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid.”

“I’m talking to you like someone I was worried sick about.””

“That doesn’t mean you get to manage me because you’re in a mood.”

His face changes. “I’m not in a mood.”

That’s so ridiculous I actually laugh. “Right. Of course. This is your normal relaxed demeanor when I go get soup with your brother.”

Duke mutters, “It was grilled cheese too, for the record.”

Neither of us looks at him.

Silas’s gaze stays locked on mine. “This is exactly the problem.”

“What is?”

“Everybody in this house suddenly acting like the threats against you stopped mattering.”

“But I was with Duke.”

“And Duke should’ve known better.”

I stare at him, every nerve in my body lit up and furious. I know this situation is messy enough to blur lines that shouldn’t blur. “You don’t get to decide everything I do.”

“This is about safety.”

“From where I’m standing it looks a lot like you’re trying to dictate my personal life because your control issues are having a bad night.”

Duke actually winces.

Good.

Let him.

Silas takes another step closer. The air goes taut. “You think this is control?”

“Yes.”

“You think I’m doing this because I enjoy it?”

“I think you’re doing it because it makes you feel better.”

Duke steps between us. “That’s enough.”

Silas finally looks at him and whatever sits between those two men goes tight enough to hum.

“No,” Silas says. “It isn’t.”

Duke folds his arms. “She’s not one of the ranch horses, man.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“I think you’re forgetting it.”