Read Online Unholy Blue by Darby Kaye - Free Book Online Page A

then closed the door.
    Striding up the driveway—
more like marching into battle
—Bann locked gazes with Weston Tully, who had moved to take a stand on the pathway. Each Knight drew his knife.
    Damn
, Shay thought.
This is going to get fugly
. Movement inside the truck’s cab caught her eye. Cor was clambering between the seats to get a better view.
    Bann halted a few feet away. Both men shifted about, giving themselves room. “Shay,” he said, gaze never leaving Tully. “Go inside and close the door.”
    â€œYeah, right,” she said, drawing her own knife and stepping out onto the porch. “I’ll just do that.” She ignored his glare.
    â€œWhat do ye want, Tully?”
    â€œI thought I’d give you one last warning to get out before things get nasty.”
    â€œSo noted. Now, leave. And do not come near me or mine again.” Bann stepped to one side, motioning Tully with his knife. With a sneer, the Knight walked backwards toward his car until he had put enough distance between himself and Bann, then climbed in and gunned the motor. He drove away in a squeal of tires.
    Shay shoved her knife back in its sheath. “Well, that could have turned messy.” The adrenaline surge made her feel slightly nauseous and filled her mouth with a sour taste. “You won’t believe what he just said—”
    Bann whirled around, the skin on his face stretched tight with anger. “I told ye to go inside!” Spittle flew from his mouth.
    Shay blinked in surprise. Then her own irritation surged.
That’s the
second
time today he’s given me an order
! Knowing full well that getting into a shouting match was not a good idea—
not with this jackass of a man—
she yelled back anyway.
    â€œWhat the hell is your problem this morning?” She stomped up to him, crowding him as she raised her chin. “You act like since we’re getting married, you can just boss me around.”
    â€œI’m trying to keep ye safe, woman!”
    â€œI’m quite capable of keeping myself safe. And stop calling me ‘woman.’ It’s demeaning!”
    The truck’s passenger door opened. “Dad?” Cor leaned out. “Can I—?”
    â€œNo!” Bann roared over his shoulder. Cor ducked back inside, banging his head. The door closed hastily.
    â€œHey!” Shay pushed even closer. “Stop being a jerk to Cor.”
    â€œHe’s my son and I’ll do whatever—”
    â€œHe’s going to be
my
son, too!” She jabbed a finger into Bann’s chest.
He’s so lucky I sheathed my blade already
. “And I don’t want his spirit broken because his father is a freaking control freak!”
Ye gods, what’s happening to us? Seems like we’ve been at each other’s throats all morning
.
    Bann must have thought the same thing. Dragging the back of his hand across his mouth, he started to speak, then stopped and cut his eyes toward the truck. Shay could almost see the anger steaming away from his pores as he raked his fingers through his hair with his free hand, then massaged the back of his neck.
    â€œControl freak, eh?”
    â€œWell, a bit dictatorial at times.” She narrowed her eyes. “Neck hurting?”
    â€œHow do you do that?” He dropped his hand and stared at her.
    â€œDo what?”
    â€œGo from war maiden to solicitous Healer in between heartbeats?”
    â€œOh, I’m still pissed at you, Bannerman Boru.” She let the hint of a smile slip out. “And you can bet your sweet ass we’re going to sit down and talk about our roles in this relationship.
In. Detail
.”
    â€œFair enough. However.” Bann held out a hand to her. “I am who I am.”
    â€œI know. Friend and lover and warrior and father.” She grinned. “Not always in that order.” She took his hand and stepped closer and kissed him lightly on the lips. “And