Page 34 of Iron Willed Warrior

The whole idea was that Brynn would make herselfirresistible. I had to be in the position to step in if her methods proved a little too effective.

But contrary to my claims, I had zero acting ability. I’d been all confidence and bravado with her earlier. Now, the real test would come. I much preferred a straightforward approach. Both with workandwith women. Playing games was not my thing.

I checked my watch and noticed with annoyance that Brynn was ten minutes late. Where was she?

Then the crowd parted as several heads turned. Axl Rose wailed on the sound system. My jaw wanted to drop, but I kept it firmly in place.

Dean said, “Wait, is thatBrynn?”

She had worn thigh-high, stiletto boots. A denim skirt about the size of a postage stamp. And a tight tank top that showed off her assets. Her hair was down, draping in long dark waves around her face and past her shoulders. More makeup than before, which somehow made her appear younger and more vixenish at the same time.

Dean set down the glass he was drying. “Didn’t know all that was hiding behind the government façade. I mean, wow.”

I glared at him. “Watch it.”

He laughed, holding up his hands. “Didn’t mean anything by it. Not like I’m going to make any moves on her. Are you?”

“My concern is purely professional.”

“Sure it is.”

Brynn’s eyes found mine, though her expression didn’t change. She walked up to the other side of the bar, resting her elbows casually on the top, an easy smile on her lips.

Shit.

“By the way,” Dean said, “you have a little drool right here.” He pointed at the corner of his mouth. Immediately Iwent to wipe my face, finding nothing, and the jerk cracked up.

“Fuck you. I’m supposed to be working.”

“Good luck then, my friend.”

Turning away from Dean, I leaned back against the bar to watch my undercover partner. I was far from the only man who’d noticed her. The guy right next to her turned to face her, leaning in to say something. She shrugged.

Should I go over there? Or sit here and keep drinking my beer? All I knew was that the tug of possessiveness in my belly was very real. The hell was up with me? I’d known the woman for less than two days.

It was this stuff about Garon Westwick. The knowledge that Brynn intended to use herself as bait. And the memory of what had happened to Luciana. That had to explain why I was suddenly so protective of a former FBI agent who didn’t even like me.

I had to sort this out in my head. She was in character. That was the point of tonight. To practice our cover stories. I chugged the rest of my beer as I stood, set it on the bar, and put her in my sights.

She wanted to see if I could hold my own as her fake boyfriend? Brynn was about to see exactly how convincing I could be.

I started pushing my way through the crowd.

Another bartender, a woman, was taking Brynn’s order. The guy next to her pulled out his wallet, clearly intending to pay. Brynn smiled sweetly, her straight white teeth flashing without a trace of her usual attitude. Way too innocent. I wasn’t sure I liked that.

Then she put her hand on the guy’s arm, and Idefinitelydidn’t like that.

There were still a few people between us, and they scowled at me when I tried to push past them, so all I coulddo was watch. The bartender poured mixers into a shaker, while Brynn spoke to the guy beside her. He wore an expensive ski jacket and had a pair of neon green sunglasses perched on his head.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” Green Sunglasses slurred loudly. Couldn’t have been older than twenty-five, and he swayed like he’d already had one tequila shot too many.

“Brianna.”

“Sexy name for a sexy girl.” The guy was flirting with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, his body language all cocky smugness. He had to be the most obnoxious guy in this place, and Brynn had zeroed in on him in five seconds.

The kid tugged a thick roll of bills from his wallet and tossed it onto the bar top. Even the bartender rolled her eyes as she set a martini glass down and took the money.

The kid leaned in and murmured something in Brynn’s ear. Then his hand landed on her hip and slid toward her butt.

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