Page 123 of Anton

Heat rushes into my face before irritation quickly takes its place, because apparently everyone in my family thinks they know what’s best for me.

“I’m not pretending anything.”

“Are you fucking him?”

I scoff. “That’s not any of your business.”

“Oh my God, you are!” She jerks her head back, gathering the reins more firmly in her hands. “We’re practically at war with his family, and you’re sneaking around with him? You need to get over this rebellious phase before Mama and Daddy find out.”

My fingers close around my own reins. “It’s not a phase.”

“That worries me even more.”

“You don’t know him.”

“I know enough.”

“No, you don’t,” I snap. “You know his name and his family and all the things people say about him. But you don’t know him. The real him.”

Disbelief crosses Greer’s face. “Thora, do you hear yourself right now?”

“I sure as fuck do.”

“Are you positive? Because you sound like every girl who has ever fallen for a man she thinks she can fix.”

“I’m not trying to fix him.”

“Please.” Her mouth flattens. “You’ve always had a soft spot for wounded animals, and I love that about you, but Anton Marinov isn’t some mistreated horse you can heal with enough patience.”

“That’s not what this is.”

“Then what is it?”

I don’t know how to answer that. Because I don’t know what Anton and I are, and even if I did, saying it out loud to Greer would only make this fight worse.

“I like him exactly as he is. I’m not trying to turn him into someone else.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

I turn away, blinking against the irritation stinging my eyes. “You have no idea what he’s been through.”

“We’ve all been through shit. That doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous.”

“He wouldn’t hurt me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

“No, you need to believe it.” She leans closer, holding my attention. “There’s a difference.”

She can say whatever she wants. I know him enough to know he wouldn’t do anything to harm me.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I love you.”

“Then trust me.”