Page 77 of Cruel King
I glare down at him, shaking my head. “Stop busting her balls, Matthias. This is your only warning.”
He grins in that arrogant way that has never failed to get under my skin. “I didn’t realize Ava had balls. How does that work out when the two of you are getting busy? Who’s the guy in your couple?”
“What is your problem with her? She’s never done anything bad to you, so why are you like this?”
“I don’t have a problem with her.”
There’s a lie if I’ve ever heard one. I don’t care if he’s smiling or not. He’s got some issue with her, and I want to know just what the fuck it is.
“Then you’ve just decided to be a dick to her for no reason?”
He shrugs, and finally that insufferable smile fades from his face. “I have my reasons.”
Jesus, it’s like talking to a wall. I want to fucking smack the hell out of him right now.
“Is this about Dad making you two co-executors of his estate? She never asked for that, you know. You being a shit to her isn’t necessary and doesn’t make things any easier.”
“So now you decide what’s necessary for little Ava? Did she give you that job, or did you take it upon yourself to proclaim yourself her guardian and protector?”
I swear every word out of his mouth is him practically begging for me to fuck him up. “What does it matter to you if I want to defend her? Someone has to. Everyone’s noticed how ugly you are to her, Matthias.”
He stands up so we’re toe to toe with one another and then looks over at Marius standing across the room. “Is that true? Have you noticed that, Marius?”
Turning to look at my other brother still standing there with his pool cue, I see him shake his head and take a step back. “I’m not getting involved in this. You two need to settle your differences when it comes to Ava Sutton. Leave me out of it.”
Behind me, Matthias laughs. “I don’t have any differences with little Ava Sutton. Trust me on that.”
I spin around to look at him and get into his face. “Then why the fuck do you act like you fucking hate her?”
We stand there silently glaring at one another, and I swear I see something like hurt in my brother’s eyes. What the hell does he have to be hurt about? I’m just trying to get him to stop being a shit to the woman I love.
Finally, Matthias steps around me and smiles. “Well, I guess there’s no doubt about it then. I hate little Ava Sutton.”
He walks out, leaving Marius and me standing there staring at him as he heads down the hallway. Looking over at my brother, I hope he has something to say that makes sense of what just happened.
When he doesn’t say a word, I shake my head. “See? What the hell is wrong with him?”
“I have no idea. He acts like she killed Dad or something. What does she say about why she thinks he’s acting like this?”
With a sigh, I answer, “Nothing. She has no idea either. It’s like he’s decided for no reason that she’s the person he’s going to make his mortal enemy.”
Matthias can feel whatever damn way he wants, but the days of him mistreating Ava are over. The next time he says even a single unkind word to her, I’m going to do what I should have done weeks ago.
Let’s see how cocky he is with a mouth full of blood and a broken nose.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Ava
Two monthsof being with Theo has made me happier than I ever thought possible. He hasn’t said much about when he plans to get back to his life, but I’m hopeful he’ll ask me to join him when he leaves. I think we have something great, and I’d hate to see it end.
I see Mick tending to the flowers along the sidewalk on this beautiful day and wave to him as I walk up to the main house. “Looking good!”
“Me or the flowers?” he jokes, laughing.
“Both. I love those pink flowers especially. Have a good one!”
“You too, Ava!”