The Pawn and The Puppet (The Pawn and The Puppet #1)

by Brandi Elise Szeker

“Not every person has the courage and selflessness to put themselves into situations that are far worse than disturbing, especially as a child, just to save their family.” I lean in a little closer. “I’d choose that man for my friend over Cupid any day.”

“I’ll thank you kindly to keep your hands off of my conformist,” he says, his rugged voice quieting the panic in the room like a theater. “You wouldn’t want me to lose my temper.”

Dessin reaches his head around to the side of my face and kisses my cheek softly, leaving a warmth like a static shock in his wake, a tingle of energy where his flesh met mine. “Shall we?” he whispers into my ear.

But it’s true, I am not afraid of him. He intimidates me. He makes me nervous. He captivates me. He fascinates me. But he doesn’t scare me. If anything, I’m frightened by the fact that he doesn’t scare me. I should have the good sense to be afraid of him, but that sense doesn’t register for some unknown reason.

“Look at me,” he orders, “if he ever strikes you… You tell me immediately. I will cut off every piece of him that he believes makes him a man and shove it into his mouth until he asphyxiates.”

“Let me make myself imperatively clear.” He steps up to Aurick, only a finger’s length away. “If you ever…ever… strike her again… I’ll make her watch while I castrate you.”