Page 74 of After the Burn

I could tell that very little escaped him.

That could be an issue for us leaving here and returning to the farmhouse.

“Taryn.”

My attention snapped to him, not because he’d raised his voice but because he hadn’t.

Every word he spoke somehow carried farther than everyone else’s shouting.

“I’m ready for you.” He stared at the guys in annoyance. “Are they holding you up?”

“No. I was just coming.” If I could have thrown Mace and Gage under the bus, I would’ve, but after our first meeting, I knew they were his men.

“I’m coming too,” Wren said, standing straight and demonstrating that even someone as insane as she was still respected the power he held here.

Gideon sighed, “No, you’re not.”

Wren blinked. “But my sister⁠—”

“I said no.” Gideon’s voice was harsh and final. “You’re not allowed back in the courthouse until you learn some decorum.”

Wren blanched, and Harper stepped up to her side quickly. “I’ll keep her occupied.

“I don’t need occupying,” Wren grumbled, but then refused to make direct eye contact with him as she spoke.

It felt like she was afraid of him, and that pissed me off. Ben was the only man I’d ever been afraid of, and I learned, too late, that he loved me more than his own life.

“I know,” Harper said patiently. “Humor me.”

“Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” Gideon spoke in a clipped voice, staring intently at Wren. “You know what happened last time.”

She swallowed hard, then nodded.

Gideon’s attention returned to me as though the interruption had never happened. “If you’ll follow me.”

Lila shifted beside me.

“You too.” Gideon smiled slightly, but it didn’t reach his eyes as he held the courthouse door open.

I stepped past him, and as I did, I caught Mace watching us, his mouth curled in another smug smile. “See you soon, sweetheart.”

Before I could answer, Gideon’s voice cut through the air. “Mace.”

The larger man looked over. “What?”

“I believe you have a fight to prepare for.” He arched an eyebrow.

Mace smirked. “I don’t need much preparation when I’m fighting a punk-ass kid.”

A beat of silence passed. “An arrogant man believes he cannot be beaten until he is. Remember that.”

The smile slowly faded from Mace’s face, and beside him, Gage folded his arms tighter but wisely stayed quiet.

Mace snorted. “Whatever you say, boss.”

Mace obviously resented being under Gideon’s thumb. I might be able to use that to create a distraction and help us get the hell out of here.

He glanced back at me as he walked off, and I smiled. Not because I liked him, but because it would really piss him off. Bullies weren’t happy unless they thought they were getting under your skin.