Page 45 of Brutal Vows
“I don’t know what’s wrong, but if he does anything dangerous, I’ll handle it.”
Quinn leaps into the car, slams his door, and guns the engine. He sits there in blistering silence, breathing hard and staring straight out the windshield. He closes his eyes for a moment.
When he opens them again, he seems more in control of himself. He drives out of the carnival’s parking lot and back onto the highway at a reasonable speed. But his hands are gripped so hard around the steering wheel, his knuckles are white.
By the time we arrive back at the house, I’m wrung out from all the tension in the car.
Quinn pulls to a stop in the driveway, kills the engine, andhops out. Ignoring me, he helps Lili out, holding her hand. Then he leads her into the courtyard without glancing back.
I slouch down in the seat, cover my face with my hands, and exhale.
I’m still in the same position when Quinn returns ten minutes later.
He opens the door and stands there silently until I drop my hands and look at him.
“What?”
“What are you doing?”
“Maybe I’m meditating.”
“Are you?”
“No. Go away.”
He shifts his weight from foot to foot. He still seems agitated, but not as furious as before. “I have something to say.”
This should be interesting.I lift my brows, waiting.
He clears his throat and glances at the boxwood hedge around the driveway. He tugs on the knot in his tie, then drags a hand roughly through his hair. A muscle flexes in his jaw. “I owe you an apology.”
“Are you talking to that shrub or to me?”
His gaze slices back to meet mine. “I’m talking to you, smartarse.”
“And I’m allowed to speak to you now? Because I distinctly remember something about getting permission. I wouldn’t want to get in trouble or anything.”
His lids drift lower. His eyes grow hot. He says gruffly, “Aye, viper, you have my permission.”
That sounded so sexual, I have to swallow before speaking again.
“What exactly are you apologizing for?”
“The same thing I just apologized to Lili for. Losing my temper.”
I say tartly, “Yes, I remember asking you about that the day we met. Do you remember what you told me?”
“That I wasn’t your dead husband.”
We stare at each other. I could fall into those gorgeous hazel eyes and drown.
This is a fucking disaster.
My voice low, I say, “No one could be as bad as him. And I can handle your little tantrums, but I won’t allow you to frighten Lili.”
“It wasn’t a tantrum,” he snaps, insulted.
Ignoring that, I continue. “And if youkeepfrightening her by acting rude, inconsistent, and aggressive, there will be consequences for you.”
