Page 50 of Until It Was Real

Sadie bows. “Manager and bringer of caffeine goodness at your service.”

She holds up a cup of coffee fromPirates Pastriesand Dakota snatches it from her.

“Thank you,” Dakota mutters before downing half of the cup in one go.

“Thank you,” Sadie says as she rounds the receptionist desk to stand behind it. “I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t get out of here for an hour. Thanks for covering for me. You can go now.”

My brow wrinkles. “You don’t work here?” I ask Dakota.

“She works the night shift,” Sadie answers and Dakota glares at her.

“What?” Sadie widens her eyes. “It’s not a secret. Everyone in town knows.”

I don’t. Unlike my brothers, I’ve ignored the Smuggler’s Hideaway rumor mill ever since Dad left us. The rumors people spread about what happened to our family turned me off small town gossip forever. While we were trying to survive, the islanders couldn’t stop speculating about the woman my dad left his family for.

“Come on.” I hold out my hand to Dakota. “We should discuss this in a more private location.”

Sadie waggles her eyebrows. “Good thing Dakota lives here.”

Dakota throws her arms in the air. “Give away all my secrets now, why don’t you?”

Sadie bites her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was a secret.”

Dakota sighs. “I should be the one apologizing. I’m being a brat.”

“Brats should be spanked.” Sadie winks at me. “Now, get out of here. I have work to do.”

I place my hand on Dakota’s lower back to escort her out of the motel. I don’t miss the way she shivers in response. But I’m not a complete idiot. I keep my mouth shut.

As soon as we’re outside, she whirls around on me and retreats a few steps. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

I chuckle. “Nice try. You aren’t running away from me. Again.”

Her shoulders slump and guilt tries to worm its way into my consciousness. I ignore it. I have nothing to feel guilty about. Dakota’s the one who ran off on me without an explanation.

“Do you want to stand out here and discuss our private business?”

Her eyes narrow on me. “No.”

I lift a brow and wait. She grunts before stomping away from me. I enjoy how her ass jiggles as she walks for a while before rushing to catch up to her.

She unlocks a door marked ‘owner’s suite’ and I follow her inside. I scan the room and frown. The suite is dated with worn carpets, cracked countertops, and over-used furniture.

“You live here?”

“Don’t you dare make fun of my home.”

I hold up my hands. “I wasn’t going to.”

“Not everyone is a millionaire.” She pokes me in the chest and I capture her hand.

“I know, Havoc.” I place her hand against my heart and hold it there. “What I don’t know is why you ran from me.”

“Ran from you?” She yanks her hand away. “What difference does it make?”

“What difference does it make?”

“Yes.” She nods. “What difference does it make? The last time I thought we were becoming friendly, you reminded me the next day about how we weren’t friends. There’s no need to send a message this time. I get it.”

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