Guardian Dragon (Council of Seven) by Juniper Hart

Author:Juniper Hart [Hart, Juniper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-27T16:00:00+00:00

9

The older woman watched her with so much suspicion, it was almost palpable.

“Alicia, set up a guest room for Miss Jones. Also, I need you to run to the store. Miss Jones is going to need a litterbox and supplies for her cat,” Alec told the housekeeper, who made no immediate move as her eyes raked over Briar. “Alicia!” Alec snapped. “She’s tired.”

“Yes, Mr. Petlier,” the woman intoned, but even as she walked away, her head seemed to spin like the little girl in The Exorcist to eye Briar.

“Don’t mind Alicia,” Alec told her, ushering them into the study and closing the door behind her. “I don’t entertain a lot.”

“Really?” Briar demanded dubiously, looking around the sprawling mansion in awe. “What a waste.” If I had a place like this, I’d have a party every weekend.

“Can I get you a drink?” Alec offered.

“Uh… yeah,” she agreed, her eyes falling onto the bar cart in the corner by the window. “What do you have?”

“Everything.” He said the word with nonchalance, and somehow Briar believed him.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” she said, unsure of what else to ask for. It wasn’t like she was often invited to manor houses with an unlimited open bar.

“Whiskey it is,” he replied, sauntering toward the bar. “Rocks?”

“Huh?”

“Ice?” he asked patiently, and she blushed furiously.

“Yes, please.” Alec made her a drink, and Briar took it eagerly, swallowing a big gulp down.

“Sit down,” he said, gesturing at the nearby oxblood settee. “You’re done running around.”

“For now,” she sighed, shaking her head. “I’m still not convinced I’m safe here.”

A shadow crossed over Alec’s face.

“You’re safer here than you are at home,” he promised. “Especially because you won’t be evicted from here.”

“Funny,” she muttered, taking another sip. Alec chuckled.

“Has your brother been stealing from you for a long time?”

Defensiveness spiked through Briar, and she sat up stiffly. “He doesn’t steal from me,” she replied shortly. “He…”

“Borrows? Takes a loan?” Alec offered sarcastically, leaning back against the desk.

“You don’t have siblings, do you?” Alec lost the smug look on his face and shook his head.

“I don’t,” he responded.

“I can tell.” Briar exhaled in a puff of wind and downed the rest of her drink. Alec reached for the glass and moved to refill it.

“I never bought into that ‘blood is thicker than water’ bullshit,” Alec said. “If someone cares about you, Briar, they won’t hurt you, and you shouldn’t put up with that from anyone, especially family. They’re the ones who are supposed to protect you.”

“It’s not that simple,” Briar muttered, accepting the glass from him. He sank onto the settee at her side and sighed.

“I think it is,” he countered. “I think it’s us who make it more complicated than it needs to be.”

“I can’t just cut off my brother.”

“Your brother got you involved in something that could easily get you killed,” Alec reminded her. “I think there’s a point where you just need to cut your losses and say, ‘I’m done.’ Don’t you think?”

“You’re the one who was trying

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