Page 20 of Balance

“Don’t lie.” Anthony inched closer to me, the angles of his face sharpening. “I just came from Do Yun’s office, and he’s sitting around watching Korean dramas. He couldn’t care one way or another. He’s getting paid either way.”

Excuse me?

He didn’tcare?

How utterly offensive. Wasn’t I supposed to be his prized patient? Didn’t he relocate his entire practice to be with me?

Who the heck was paying him anyway?

“Lord, you reallyaresensitive.” Anthony blinked at me, making it obvious that my attempts at being a hard-to-read individual were failing.

I needed to work on perfecting the whole blank expression thing.

“I lied.” He leaned down, whispering in my ear. “Do Yun is crushed.”

I knew it.

Triumph caused my pulse to soar, and my mouth twitched.

“What’s the truth?” Xavier asked, glancing between us. Obviously, Anthony’s whispered words didn’t pass Xavier’s notice.

“All of it,” Anthony responded, distrust toward Xavier once again filling his expression. “Are you done… whatever it is you’re doing? I’ll walk with her the rest of the way. You’re going to Damen’s, right?”

I nodded, unable to ask why I needed a keeper.

“I’ll go with you.” Anthony smiled shyly. “I have a class in that building next.”

What class? Wasn’t he an intern at the hospital?

“You don’t need to…” My protest faded as shyness creeped over me. Even things with Xavier felt natural, a side effect of our roles, I was sure. But Anthony was someone I’d yet to get to know.

I also had made that terrible impression at the hospital, and in many instances before that.

He’d been around, a silent figure, since I’d left the asylum and married Bryce. He’d been present when Finn’s connection to me was brought to light, and also when I kicked Bryce’s butt inCall of Duty.

Yet I still hardly knew him.

My stomach twisted. Julian had once said that Anthony was going to be my fake older brother, but now I had two actual older brothers.

Where did that leave our future relationship?

Anthony’s grin widened into a full-fledged smile. “It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry, you’re completely safe with me. In fact, Julian will murder me if I didn’t protect you from the creeps. And”—he leaned forward conspiringly, cupping his mouth. He was still wearing the purple band around his wrist—“I’ll tell you a secret. He’s the only person in the world who scares me.”

“Julian scares you?” I breathed. “But he’s your brother.”

“Yes.” Anthony’s nod was earnest and tone sincere. “With good reason too. Julian might look all innocent, and he acts lazy. But when he snaps…” His words trailed off as he shivered, shooting Xavier a pointed look. “You better not be up to anything. He really will kill you.”

Xavier’s mouth had thinned, and he shuffled on his feet, throwing his bag over his shoulder once again. “Don’t you threaten me. Why would I ever hurt her?”

“I’m not threatening you.” Anthony rolled his shoulders, lightly touching my elbow without even glancing in my direction, and putting himself further between me and Xavier. “I’mwarningyou. I actually like you, and I’d rather not see you die. Unlike Finn, you don’t have anyone who can stand up to Julian to protect your back. So, if Julian has told you to stay away, then you need to stay away.”

“But I haven’t done anything.” Xavier’s eyes narrowed. “And Finn deserves everything he gets.”

“That’s not how Damen sees it,” Anthony said, shrugging. “He’s been sheltering Finn forever.”

I glanced between them, the thick tension making it almost hard to breathe. Again, we were with the ongoing saga between Julian and Finn, but no one was actually giving out any answers.

I tugged on Anthony’s letterman jacket, drawing his attention from Xavier. “What happened between them? Why does Julian hate Finn?”