Tanin gave her a brief glance again, a smirk pulling at his lips. “You really aren’t like your sister.”
She was twirling a strand of hair around her fingers. “People see the pink and the cutesy smile and assume that I am also pink and cutesy. They don’t realize she’s actually the soft one. I’m the direct one. You’re a ruthless male.”
“I’m aware.”
“You have this no killing rule because you’ve killed before.”
He didn’t respond verbally, but he tilted his head. It was as much of an admission as she was going to get out of him.
“I figured,” she chuckled, twisting her fingers together behind her back. “Truth be told, I don’t really care. Yours was a hard, loveless life where you had to fight for everything. You probably don’t even know what it means to comfort someone.”
“Not really, no. I admit though, this is a rather refreshing take from you.”
“I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”
“For what?”
“For when I threaten you.” She leaned forward, purposefully putting herself into his peripheral view so he could be sure not to miss her. “I’ve seen the way my sister looks at you. I know she’s interested. And I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking back. You’re interested too.”
“Is this the part where you tell me that your sister is too good for me and if I was smart, I’d back off and leave her alone?”
Goldie giggled. And it was such a sweet sound. So completely at odds with her hard words, which were already at odds with the sweet, cutesy image she projected. And he wondered how much that image was practiced and purposeful.
“No. I wouldn’t do that. I mean, youdon’tdeserve my sister. But very few people ever would. So, if she’s chosen you, I’m not going to kick up a stink about it. However, I will tell you that I’ve culled many animals before. It’s part of the whole vet gig. If you want to work with animals, you have to be willing to put them down if it will ease their suffering. Or, sometimes, just because their owner says they want you to. You have to be a little heartless. A little ruthless. And in my eyes, you’re not a human. You’re an animal that walks on two legs. Culling you wouldn’t be any different than putting down a rabid dog.”
Tanin chuckled. “You might find it a bit harder than that.”
“You sure?” She beamed. “I can be pretty wily when I want to be. You wouldn’t even see me coming. And if I have to protect my sister, you can bet you definitely won’t.”
Tanin’s grin turned down. “You really think I would harm her?”
She shrugged. “I’ve seen nicer people do worse. My parents were bright, upstanding members of society. They participated in bake sales. They organized neighborhood street parties. They were the best of people. And one time they threw a fire poker at my sister because we were playing outside and she pushed me down. That’s what the best of people can do. You’re not the best of people.”
“I certainly am not,” he agreed. “But if I wanted to hurt Garnet, or you for that matter, it wouldn’t be sloppily in a fit of rage.”
“No. And if I wanted to kill you because I thought you were hurting my sister, it wouldn’t be obvious and in your face.”
Tanin inclined his head. “I think we’ve come to an understanding then.”
Goldie beamed. “I think so. For what it’s worth, if I thought youwerea threat to my sister, you wouldn’t be getting the warning.”
“For what it’s worth, I won’t harm your sister. If you’re willing to take the word of someone who is the worst of people.”
“Funny enough,” she grinned. “I think I’d be more inclined to believe you than the best anyway. At least you’re upfront with things.”
“I am going to claim her.”
“Permanently?”
“Most likely.”
“Suppose I should start calling you my brother then.”
He grimaced. “Please, don’t.”
Goldie laughed. “Better get used to it, big bro. If you’re with my sister, permanently, you and I are family.”
“I’ll take that trade.”
