Page 64 of Three Reckless Words

It’s not like I’m doing this for the honey.

If Winnie hadn’t cried—if she hadn’t felt like heaven in my arms—maybe I wouldn’t have been so determined to help out, but that’s a strong maybe.

Hard truth is, there’s something about her.

The vulnerability, the way she flinches away from certain things like they sting, it makes me want to fix this girl.

A new emotion, I’ll admit.

I’m not the type of guy who walks around with a savior complex.

My brothers damn sure aren’t used to seeing it, either.

I don’t charge in and help people without good reason. Normally, I make the hard decisions in this business. I don’t flinch at the consequences.

Shit, what if it’s as simple as they say? The fact that she’s cute?

But how many attractive women have thrown themselves at my feet over the years? Winnie hasn’t even done that.

She hasn’t done anything to indicate she wouldn’t slap me silly if I tried to kiss her.

With her background in bloodthirsty politics, I’m just another rich guy. I don’t stand out like a demigod who draws gold diggers.

Frankly, I doubt she knows who or what I am beyond Higher Ends, considering she isn’t local. The Rory name means next to nothing in Springfield, let alone DC.

Except the way she looked at me earlier, when I comforted her…

Crap.

What the fuck am I getting myself into?

Patton tucks his hands behind his head again as he watches me, an unidentifiable expression on his face which can’t mean anything good.

“Archer, you lucky dog, here’s a bone. If Dex agrees, we won’t kick your little honey out if she doesn’t have anywhere else to stay. At least for a little while.”

“We can take the loss. Maybe write it off as charity. I’ll ask our CPA,” Dexter agrees. “Especiallyif it means that much to you.”

I don’t bother correcting him.

I just clamp my teeth together and don’t say a word.

Neither of these clowns will believe me. The more I fight back, the more they’ll think I’m already fucking her nightly.

“Let’s say a couple weeks for now,” I say, slipping back into business mode. “After that, we can discuss it again if it’s still applicable.”

Patton gives me a shit-eating grin. “You mean when you know her better.”

“Fuck you.” I roll my eyes.

Though, somehow, I have a feeling he’s right.

There’s no way to do this good deed without getting more tangled up with this woman and the crazy she brings in her wake.

A woman like Winnie Emberly doesn’t come streaking into your life like a comet without making an impact.

I just have to brace for catastrophe and hope the carnage isn’t permanent.

9

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