I don’t like it.

I don’t like the way she’s ordered around and overlooked, but it’s not up to me, is it? However people treat Eva Morelli is no business of mine.

There’s a dark presence behind me. I don’t move, not even when I realize who it is. Especially when I realize who it is. It’s not good to show weakness to Leo Morelli. The Hughes name and status mean nothing to a man with a legendary temper.

“Don’t.” That’s all he says.

I could pretend I wasn’t ogling his sister, but that would just waste time. “A man can look.”

“No. He can’t. I know my mother thinks the sun rises at the Hughes’ French chateau, but I don’t give a fuck. If you touch her, if you speak to her, if you so much as glance at her, I’ll throw you off the Morelli estate with my bare hands.”

That makes me smile. It’s a slow, lazy kind of smile. It’s not good to show weakness, but then again, I don’t have any. “I’ve got a sister myself. I suppose protectiveness comes with the territory. Still, don’t you think this whole growling caveman thing is a little much?”

“You don’t want to press me, Hughes.”

We grew up running wild amid the satin, glittering trappings of events like this one. There was one time we conspired to let loose my sister’s pet gerbils in a costume party. Another time we loaded our nerf guns with the sticky-sweet profiteroles intended for dessert. We’ve been both friends and enemies. “You have a reputation for your temper. People believe what you feed them, but I know the real Leo Morelli. I know who gathered up the gerbils and put them back in their cage when my father wanted to drown them in the grotto.”

“The gerbil wasn’t salivating while looking at my sister.”

I laugh without a sound. “Salivating? That’s unfortunate. One does hate to be obvious.”

“She’s not like your other women.”

“My harem, you mean? Hadn’t realized you’d met them.”

“I’m serious.”

I turn a narrowed gaze on him, on his dark eyes and coal-black hair, on the cold countenance that holds so many secrets. Her secrets. “She’s not like the other women here, who glide through the room, secure in their position and privilege. She’s running around like a goddamn servant, and I don’t see you doing anything to stop it.”

“What happens in our family is none of your business.” He pushes past me, bumping me as he goes. A crude message, but an effective one. “Hunt elsewhere, Hughes.”

And I try.