Page 47 of Iron Willed Warrior

The two couples around her shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure of how to handle my rudeness. They were older, maybe fifties or sixties. I vaguely remembered their names from the guest profiles we’d reviewed. They seemed harmless enough.

But this was an opportunity for me to establish my character as an assholeandget her alone to warn her. I was a fan of efficiency.

Brynn sighed, unfolding her legs and standing up slowly. The fabric of her cover-up swished around her, and the triangles of her bikini top tightened on her breasts. “Sorry, everyone. Cameron isn’t known for his patience.” She laughed it off, managing to come across as sad, embarrassed, and hopeful all at the same time. “We’ll be back soon.”

“We’ll save your seat, dear,” a woman said, shooting me a glare to make her disapproval known.

Yeah, Cameron Clay was a jerk. There was no denying it.

Brynn grabbed my arm, and we walked to a quiet corner of the pool area. “That might’ve been slightly more dickish than necessary,” she said. “You’re supposed to come across as possessive, not pathological.”

“I needed your attention.” My eyes flicked down to the cleft between her breasts. A few tiny beads of sweat dotted her golden skin. And below that, the smooth expanse of her belly…

“What’s going on?” she asked, forcing me back to the moment.

Focus, Lynx.

“Donovan Ryker is here already. Which means Westwick might be here.”

Her fingernails dug into my arm. “What?”

I put my arm around her and drew her closer so I could speak into her ear. “I saw Ryker in the hall just now. Plus another bodyguard from Westwick’s security team, Manning. According to your intel, Ryker was supposed to arrive with Westwick.”

“They always travel together.” Brynn bit her lip. “That means Westwick changed his schedule. I wonder if something’s up.”

“That’s my thought as well. So much for us settling in.” It was a good thing we had gotten here today. Yesterday would’ve been better, though. We’d barely had any time to get our bearings.

“But he’s still having the seminar on Saturday morning, I assume?” she asked.

“I have no idea. I came straight here after seeing Ryker. He seemed suspicious of me. No clue how much to read into that.”

“From what I’ve heard, Ryker is just paranoid that way. It’s why Westwick trusts him so much. But the change in timing…” She shivered, leaning into me. “I don’t like it. We need to inform the Protectors and the—” She closed her mouth on whatever she’d been about to say.

“And who else?” I asked. “The task force? We agreed theywouldn’t be involved any further.” The last thing I wanted was the FBI butting into this mission.

“Relax, Cameron,” she said with a tight smile. She played with the collar of my T-shirt. “People are watching.”

I resisted the urge to look. She was right. We were in public. This wasn’t the time or place. “We should go back to the room.”

“Later,” she whispered. “We’ve drawn enough interest already. But I’m glad you’re here.” I didn’t know if she was being Brianna or herself. Either way, her words calmed me.

“Me too.”

She gave me a soft kiss on the cheek that made my spine straighten.

I wanted to shield her. Drag her away from here and deal with Garon Westwick and his thugs myself. But I couldn’t do it without her. I knew that.

This woman had me tied up in knots, and there was no way out but ahead.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Brynn

Cole was on edge,and I didn’t like it.

I feathered the longer strands of hair on top of his head. “Do you need a cigarette? I can get you one.”

His eyes closed briefly. “Already had one today.”

---