He wants to protect me.
He wants me to live with him atMakson Ridge.
But he knows I won’t do that.
I won’t be told what to do and when to do it.
“Everything is messed up, love,” Cullen says. “You picked a weird time to end up atDSC.”
“I didn’t pick it, Cullen,” I say. “I was told to leave. And I get why. After what I saw back at Fay’s house. So, yeah, things are really messed up.”
“I’m just talking everywhere,” Cullen says. “Archer really fucked things up by choosing to be aSavage.”
“Why couldn’t he do what he wants as anHeir?” I ask.
“Stupid rules,” Cullen says. “As anHeirwe have to act a certain way. We have to think beyond ourselves and our families. It’s not so much reaction as it is planning. Believe me, I’d love to find who hurt Birdie and cut their eyes out.”
I cringe.
Ouch.
“But as anHeirI have to show I can work a certain way,” Cullen says. “Savagesare all about the muscle and force.”
“Makes sense,” I say.
“That’s why what you’ve done here has been perfect, Jaci,” Cullen says. “You didn’t overreact the night Birdie was hurt. You spoke to theHeirsfirst. Then you spoke to theSavagesand theThorns. They see you, love. They hear you. That’s important.”
Thezazahas kicked in.
I feel relaxed.
I feel good.
I’m actually tempted to tell Cullen to take me back toMakson Ridge.
Maybe even take me upstairs and take me to bed.
Cullen brushes his lips against mine.
He smells as good as he tastes.
The kiss is short-lived though.
I hear the sound of someone whistling behind me.
Cullen breaks the kiss and looks.
Gone is my sweet and sexy Cullen.
In his place is a pissed off mafiaHeirprotector.
I don’t need to turn around to know who’s watching us.
I know it’s Archer.
Ifinally do turn around.
Archer is standing thirty feet away.