Page 31 of Tattle Tail
He inclined his head to Joseph, like a king addressing his royal subjects.
Joseph took an instant dislike to the man. The haughty expression. The way old money and breeding practically dripped off every word.
“Peaceable’s fiancé,” Joseph said.
“I did not know you were engaged. Congratulations,” the man said to Peaceable.
“It’s a recent development.”
“A very recent development,” he replied dryly.
Peaceable and Ardent shared a look, the kind that carried a lot of unspoken meaning. Between the body language of tails and ears, they were having a whole damn conversation without him.
“Excuse us,” she said. “I must speak with my fiancé.” Peaceable grabbed Joseph’s wrist and pulled him onto the terrace. The cold slapped against his face.
“What are you doing?” Her words came out like a hiss.
“Rescuing you from that asshole. You’re welcome, by the way,” he said, frustration leaking into his voice.
“Oh, thank you for saving me from the man in the mood to give away his credits.” Frost clung to every word. She rubbed her wrist as if it ached.
Joseph frowned. “He hurt you.”
She dropped her wrist and moved her arm behind her back. “It is nothing.”
“It’s not nothing, Peaceable. Just because he’s donating money doesn’t mean he has a right to manhandle you.”
“And you do not have the right to act for me,” she snapped back, her eyes flashing.
“So, you want me to watch people take advantage of you?”
“I want you to mind your own business.”
“I would if you stood up for yourself every once in a while. It’s just like with your mom,” he said.
Her ears went back. He regretted the words and desperately wanted to claw them back.
“This is nothing like Mother. This is you thinking you have to be a…” She fumbled for words. “To be my protector. I do not need your protection.”
“I’m your fiancé. It’s my job,” he said.
“Fakefiancé and…and you are not the boss of me,” she said, tossing back the words he wrote as a joke a week ago.
“You’re not acting like yourself,” he eventually said.
“Unfortunately, you are acting exactly like yourself,” she snapped back.
Music from the ballroom spilled onto the terrace, filling the silence between them.
A figure entered the doorway, blocking the light from the building.
“Is this male bothering you?” A large Tal male approached. Despite being dressed formally—or perhaps because of the formal clothes—it was clear he acted as security for the event.
“No, we’re fine,” Joseph said.
“I was not speaking to you.” The male addressed Peaceable. “Do I need to remove him?”
Unbelievable.
