Fighting Temptation [Brac Village 11] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Lynn Hagen Page A

him if he came near me, I would give him hell for the rest of his life.”
    Turi hadn’t known that.
    “I mean, if I were a female—although it’s still gross—I could understand. I could give him lots of babies. But I’m male. That only means he is sick in the head.” For the first time since knowing his cousin, Kiki turned toward Turi with apologetic eyes. “I hate that he wants you. It’s embarrassing as hell to know my father is twisted. He can get away with it, too, because he’s an elder. If you ask me, those laws should be changed.”
    “So, you’re not here to kidnap me?” Turi ventured.
    “And hand you over to that sick freak? Nope. Why do you think I stay away so much? I refuse to play their little games. I also know that your father isn’t just trying to tie you to my father for the prestige. I heard them talking. My father promised yours a wealthy amount for the mating.” Kiki crossed the room and placed his hand on Turi’s shoulder. “Face it, your father is doing this for the money.”
    Turi stood there stunned. He hated his father for trying to make him mate his very own uncle for the prestige, but to find out it was all about money somehow made what was going on ten times worse. His father was basically selling him. What had he done so bad as a child that his father had hated him from day one?
    He couldn’t understand any of it. Turi walked briskly from the room, holding his hand over his mouth. He didn’t care anymore if Carmine killed the man. Why should he care? His father didn’t care about him.
    A whimper fell from his lips when strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him off his feet. “I got you.” Carmine pulled Turi close as he walked them to the couch and sat down. Turi was so mad, so frustrated that he wanted to lash out at somebody.
    Instead, he buried his face in Carmine’s neck, wishing Kiki had never shown up in the first place. It was twisted logic to think that his father’s betrayal hadn’t hurt so badly when he thought it was just because the man wanted honor brought to his house. But now that he knew it was all about money, Turi felt like he was going to be sick.
    “You never have to deal with him again,” Carmine said softly as he ran his fingers over Turi’s hair. “You belong to me, Turi.”
    “He sold me, Carmine.”
    “But he didn’t deliver,” Carmine pointed out as he massaged Turi’s arm in a circular motion. “He was paid for nothing because you are my mate and I am not letting him have you.”
    Turi knew his mate was trying to cheer him up but he wasn’t sure anything would help right now. His entire life his father had told him he was a burden. Turi had always tried his best to stay out of the man’s way and do the right thing just so his father would be proud of him. Now he wished he could go to the man and smash his fist in the guy’s face.
    “I know it hurts, baby.” Carmine dropped a kiss on his temple. Turi was so damn grateful for his mate. He wasn’t sure if he would’ve made it through all of this it hadn’t been for Carmine’s strength.
    Wiping at his eyes, Turi sat up. “If I ever see him again, I’m going to kick him in his nuts.”
    Carmine smiled as he brushed the tears from Turi’s cheeks with his thumbs. “I would love to see that.”
    “Hello,” Kiki shouted from the kitchen. “I’m still hungry.”
    “I can tell you two are related.” Carmine swept the long strands from Turi’s face. “Is he the same cousin that bought the badge from the novelty shop?”
    Turi nodded. “He’s also the one who gave me the whistle.”
    “Do you trust your cousin?” Carmine asked as he shifted under Turi, his café-brown eyes so beautiful that Turi could hardly believe this man was his.
    “I really don’t know him that well,” Turi confessed. “We’ve hung out and all, but we’ve never swapped heartfelt stories or anything. My mind tells me to trust no one, but my heart tells me that Kiki wouldn’t do anything for