Page 59 of The Bronze Garza

“I will,” I promise. “Love you.”

“Love you, too, sis.”

I wait until he’s gone before I turn on Reuben, hands akimbo. “What was that little comment of yours all about?”

“Don’t tell me you can’t see that your ‘brother’ wants in your pants.”

“Ew!” I make a face. “That’s sick, Reuben.”

He chuckles. “He doesn’t seem to think so. You aren’t blood related.”

I head back through the gate and up the walkway. He follows me. “Patrick doesn’t ‘want in my pants’. He’s sweet, and caring, and just doesn’t agree with Daddy’s overprotective tendencies.”

“Uh-huh,” he mumbles sarcastically. “Anyway, since you’re staying here, I’m gonna go—”

“Actually... no.” I stop on the steps to the porch. “Can you do me a favor?”

He exhales audibly. “What now?”

“Can you please tell Mr. AssFace inside that I choose Option three?”

“Yeah...no.” He leans against the rails and crosses his arms. “I wear many hats in my profession, but a ‘liaison officer’ isn’t one of them.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You aren’t scoring many ‘bestie’ points with me,Ben-Ben.”

“Your father signs his paycheck on this job, and he signs mine,” he points out. “So between me and you, who’s got something to lose by pissing him off?”

“Ugh. You’re such a wimp.”

“A wimp with bills to pay,” he calls after me as I stomp into the house.

Torin is still in the recliner watching TV, all relaxed and self-possessed. He’s like the king of his own world. Everything happening around him while he just sits there unbothered, trusting that everyone is following their given orders.

He’d already decided I had three choices, and how I would choose of those three choices is of no concern to him, so long as I know they’re myonlychoices.

Oh, and let’s not forget that the only reason I even have choices is because he doesn’t want me to feel like I’m a captive.

I glower at him as I approach, thinking how I both love and hate his power. On the one hand, I hate that he gets to tell me what to do. But on the other hand, in the right setting, bossing me around and telling me what to do isexactlywhat I’d want from him.

I would submit to him completely.

Let him rule me. Own me. Kneel at his feet.

Alas, this is the only setting I’ll ever get with him. The one where he frustrates me and gets under my skin.

“Option three,” I say when I’m a foot from his recliner.

“Figured that’d be it,” he replies without taking his attention off the flat-screen. “Guessing you want Reuben to take you instead of me?”

Arrogant jerk. Thinks he knows everything. “Yes.”

“That’s fine.” He nods. “Monica is expecting you.”

“Thanks,” I mutter.

I’m turning to leave when his strong fingers wrap around my wrist like a cuff, keeping me in place. He brings his eyes to mine, and suddenly it’s like we’re upstairs in my room again, locked in a wordless, lust fueled battle. My wrist burns with his touch. It seeps into my skin and spreads like wildfire.

As infuriated as I am with him, if he ordered me to stay right now, I would. In a heartbeat. But I know he won’t.