Page 17 of Idaho

"Life's not fair, Duchess," he drawled.

I was ready to retort when Thomas stepped between us. "Eva is right. You don't get to speak to her like that."

"Why's that?" Idaho shot back. "Because she's your cousin? Or because she's something else to you?" His tone had turned deadly.

Thomas took a step forward, but I put my hand on his chest and pushed him back. Well, he let me push him back. There was no way to move the man if he didn't want to go. I had a feeling it would be the same with Idaho. I stepped between them. "Stop it right now," I demanded. Authority rang in my voice, but only one of these men worked for me. "Thomas, please go get our bags from the car. We're staying here tonight." I always kept a bag with spare clothing inside the car. You never knew when you needed a wardrobe change. My father's plans often changed on a dime.

"I don't think that's a good idea-"

"I didn't ask what you thought was a good idea," I said sharply, cutting him off. Sucking in a breath, and trying to rein in my temper, I flashed him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. But please..."

"Yes, Ma'am." He turned and walked out the front door,

"Butcher, follow him," Lockout ordered.

"Cousin, my ass," Idaho muttered when I turned back to look at him.

Everyone was staring at us. Most of the men and women wore amused looks on their faces, though I wasn't sure why.

"No one said he could stay here tonight," Idaho told me.

"Fine," I said, spinning on my bare heel. "Then we'll both leave." A squeak popped from between my lips when hands grabbed me and for the second time that night, I was slung over a man's shoulder. This time it was Idaho's. "Put me down!" I shrieked, pounding my fists into his back. "I swear if you don't put me down right now-"

He smacked my butt hard enough to sting through my jeans. My gasp was echoed by the other women as he strode through the room, past the shocked faces of his friends. He paused next to his brother. "Your choice if the gorilla stays or not."

I pushed on Idaho's back, rightening myself enough to see what was happening. It didn't seem to matter if I struggled, and I didn't want him smacking my butt again. My cheeks were already stained red with embarrassment.

"Why do you always have to start trouble?" Lockout asked.

Idaho shook his head. "You're the one who told me to go help. Hush said they were your orders."

"Should have known better," Lockout told him. "Every time you get involved shit goes downhill."

"What shit?"

Lockout's hand swept upward, motioning to me.

"Yeah, well, that can't be helped." Idaho placed his hand back on my butt, ignoring the way I squirmed trying to dislodge it.

"This is going to be a problem," Lockout warned. "I don't know how yet, but it will."

Idaho's huge shoulders rose, jostling me with the motion. "It'll be your problem," he corrected. I could hear the grin in his tone.

"What the hell am I supposed to do with her pissed off...cousin?"

The way everyone kept pausing on Thomas's title was all I needed to hear to know they didn't believe that he was actually a relative. I sighed when Idaho didn't answer and just carted me upstairs like a caveman. He turned into one of the rooms and kicked the door closed behind us before setting me down on my feet.

I glared up at him as he stared down at me. "You can't just go around manhandling people," I snapped at him.

His lips twitched as though he wanted to laugh. "I think we both know that's not true."

"It is true!" My voice had gone sharp again. I couldn't help it, his arrogance was too familiar. I just had to keep poking the bear. "You don't get to just pick me up and carry me around like I'm your property."

"You're not my property," he agreed. His hands came up to cup my cheeks, tilting my head back so that I was looking straight into his eyes. My knees about turned to Jello. "Not yet anyway."

My mouth fell open at his words. "Excuse me?" I didn't know how else to respond to that. Nothing I knew about guys prepared me for this rough, and dangerous, man. He took what he wanted. Fought for it when he had to, as proven by what had happened tonight. I was incredibly grateful that he'd helped us, but I didn't know how I felt about him continuing to order me around. He was worse than Thomas. And far too much like my father.

He didn't answer, just leaned forward until our noses nearly touched. "I told you that you'd be safe with me. I don't break my promises."