Page 57 of Iron Willed Warrior

“When we met,” I reminded her, “you thought I was an asshole. And you couldn’t get away from me fast enough.”

“I know. Instead, you keep making me like you.”

“It’s a devious plan of mine.” I eased onto my side next to her, letting go of her wrists. Her eyes followed my movements. “Who was he?” I asked.

A crease appeared between her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“The guy who did a number on you. Who broke your heart.”

Her mouth worked like she wanted to deny it. “How did you know?”

“A hunch.” I remembered she had mentioned an ex at one point. But it wasn’t so hard to follow this particular trail.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That’s fine. Just give me a name. I’m a bounty hunter. A name is all I need. Might take some time, but eventually this guy will just,poof. Disappear.”

The sadness turned into a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “He’s not worth the trouble.”

“Few of them are. I’d still do it. If it makes you happier.”

Brynn rolled onto her side to face me, snuggling into the pillow. “Who are you, Cole Bailey?” she whispered. “I can’t figure you out.”

“I’m a dick sometimes, in case you forgot. I lose my temper.”

“You get upset when people are hurting. Hardly a fault.”

“Yeah, and that makes me do stupid things. I say shit that gets me in trouble. I try to get my way.”

“I know. And it gets on my nerves every dang time.” She reached out to brush the hair from my forehead. “The problem is that it makes me like you even more.”

I took her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers. If we were doomed to want each other, at least we’d go down in flames together.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Brynn

I wokeup to an empty bed.

I kicked off the covers and felt the other side of the mattress where Cole had been sleeping. It wasn’t warm, which meant he’d been gone for a while. Worry swirled in my gut. Memories of what had happened last night with Westwick, then Ryker.

And Cole. Kissing him. Everything he’d said.

I jumped up, and that’s when I saw the note and a to-go coffee cup on the nightstand. The coffee cup hadBriannawritten on it. I picked it up and took a sip while I glanced over the note.

Went for a morning walk. Back soon. Cameron.

Cole had brought me a chai latte. Spice and sweetness burst across my tongue. It reminded me of the chai Keira had made us at her house almost a week ago. I’d ordered a latte just like this at the coffee shop in Silver Ridge, too. I hadn’t even realized Cole had noticed.

It was thoughtful. So like him.

Ugh, I was in trouble. I touched my lower lip, thinking of how hot and commanding his kisses had been last night.

But while he was gone, I had something to take care of. I’d failed to update Stanford yesterday. Taking another sip of my drink, I went to the drawer where I’d placed my socks, undies, and pajamas. The burner phone was stuck inside a wool hiking sock. Not the most devious hiding spot ever, but good enough. Cole wasn’t the type to go through my things.

I sat on the bed, unlocked my phone, then opened the messaging app. But as my thumbs hovered over the keyboard on the screen, I hesitated. I could report plenty of things that would raise Stanford’s concerns. Like Westwick’s early arrival, that phone call Westwick had received. Ryker’s suspicion of me and the confrontation with Cole. I’d meant to check in about the status of our double agents as well. But if the task force had news, Stanford would already have written me.

I glanced down at my shoulder. The marks had darkened slightly. Not much of a bruise, thankfully, but it was there. A reminder that the incident could’ve gone so much worse than it had.

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