She was so confused. “Connor, what are you doing here?”
Had he come here to get revenge? Was he going to hurt her brother? She inched further in front of Freddy.
Connor sighed. “Still trying to protect the world?”
“Not the world,” she muttered.
“She has always been very protective of those she thought needed it,” Freddy commented, moving to her side. “However, she should know I don’t need her protection.”
“And yet she’s been protecting you this whole time, hasn’t she?”
“So you finally worked that out,” Freddy said. “Wasn’t just me she was protecting.”
Connor stared at her. “No, I understand that now. And I’m going to make certain that stops.”
“Not sure I like you for her.”
She looked from one to the other. “What are you guys talking about?”
“Ria, come here,” Connor commanded.
“I don’t think so.” Freddy reached out and grabbed her arm. “Not until I get some assurances.”
“We still have a contract,” Connor warned. “She’s still under my protection.”
“I’m her brother, she will always be under my protection.”
What? Had Connor just said that they still had a contract?
“You let me go,” she said.
“You didn’t tell me everything about who you were,” he countered. “You broke the rules and put yourself in danger.”
“And you pulled away from me.” The hurt still ran deep.
He nodded. “That was a mistake. I’m sorry for that. It will not happen again.”
“No. Because she’s no longer yours,” Freddy said. “She’s my sister. I’ll take care of her.”
Connor’s gaze narrowed. “Been doing such a good job of that, haven’t you? She ran from you. She was out in the world with no protection. What if one of your enemies had found her?”
“That was due to a misunderstanding.”
“Okay, will the two of you stop arguing over me like dogs fighting over a bone.”
“Ria, come here,” Connor ordered.
The urge to obey him was so great, she actually took a step forward. But Freddy kept a tight hold on her.
“You’re forgetting that my friends have your goons under lock and key.” Connor scowled at Freddy.
“You won’t harm me or them,” Freddy said confidently.
She grew tense. That hadn’t even occurred to her. That Connor might harm her brother.
“Yeah? Why’s that?” Connor asked.
“Because Ria will never forgive you if you do.”