Page 45 of Her Ruin

“We are,” Julian snapped. “But Isla…youknowshe’s off-limits.” He ran a hand through his perpetually messy hair. “I told you years ago you don’t get to mess with Isla.”

I wanted to roll my eyes at him, but I wasn’t a five-year-old child. “It’s the club for one day. I’m hardly fucking her sideways.” I wouldn’t mind fucking her sideways, but I kept that to myself.

Julian reared back as if I’d slapped him. “Fuck! Why would you put that image in my head?”

“Because it’s in his head all the fucking time,” Rye muttered, but this time, only I heard him, and I shot him a look, to which he grinned back at me.

Julian sighed, looking around. “When she finds out what happens down here, who comes through here, she’ll freak out.”

“It’s none of her business,” I reminded him.

He was still not happy. “I’ve known you a long time, Zayn. Iknowyou.” He looked resigned. “She was never to come here.”

“You worried about her coming here or finding out how oftenyoucome here?” Rye asked, his tone cool and calm, all the earlier banter gone.

I had known Julian for a long time. He was one of my oldest acquaintances. I studied him, seeing through the bluff he played over Isla being in Elixir. “Maybe we should be having a different conversation?”

His lips pressed together, but he said nothing.

Interesting.

“See, I thought you were being protective of your friend, but now…now I have to wonder. Are you warning me off her because you don’t trust me?” His eyes lifted to mine briefly. “Or because you’re worried she will find out something about you?”

Julian didn’t flinch.

And he didn’t deny it.

Rye let out a low whistle. “And here I thought you were the good one.”

“I am,” Julian said, his voice low. “That’s why I’m telling you—stay away from her.”

My eyes narrowed as I watched him. “You don’t get to make that call.”

Julian sat back, his gaze cold. “I mean it.”

For the first time since I had come back to Gracemont, Julian Turner didn’t look like the golden boy everyone thought he was.

“Did you just threaten me? OverIsla?”

“No. I warned you. There’s a difference.”

When I said nothing, he stood abruptly and left. Rye and I watched him go.

“What the fuck is his problem?” Rye asked softly. “He fucking her?”

“No.” I stared at the door Julian had just left through.

“He wants to fuck her?”

I shook my head. “News to me, but I don’t think so.”

Rye grunted, picking up his beer. “Then it’s the other thing.”

I nodded, deep in thought. Julian had secrets.

And now? I was going to find out exactly what they were.

CHAPTER13

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