Page 93 of Risky Match
“I almost didn’t. It was a last-minute decision. I feared that I hadn’t relayed the seriousness of the situation in my text. Something about the reply made me question it.”
“What was that?” Harrington asks.
“I texted my contacts last night, asking to meet before our match today. I was clear that timing was critical. To my surprise, they replied that it wasn’t possible. I had to make sure that we met today, so I did the racquet signal.”
Harrington nods. “Well done. Your instincts are good. I believe that should answer most of your questions. Do not discuss these events with anyone outside this room. You’re bound by our confidentiality agreements. I’ll leave you alone now to discuss what I understand may be some ...umm ...personal issues between the two of you.”
“I’m assuming you’ll be listening,” I snarl, debating whether I even want to be in the same room with the princess right now. I’m not sure I can believe anything she says at this point.
“I can assure you that we will not,” Harrington says.
“Why should I believe you?” I question.
“You don’t have to. You can leave and talk elsewhere,” he says.
“No, what I have to say is short. Here will be fine,” I bark, having decided that it’s better to close this chapter today and be done.
Harrington nods and leaves.
The second the door closes behind him, Bri says, “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that you were working with Deputy Harrington. They kept me in the dark. I can’t believe it. I trusted them.”
I hold up a hand. She stops talking. “Forgive me, but that doesn’t really matter now, does it? You lied to me and used me. You clearly are a spy, aren’t you?”
She lowers her head, whispering, “I’m not at liberty to discuss my involvement in these events.”
The veins in my neck are pulsing as my anger swells. “Right. You’re a spy. Clearly, you aren’t the person I thought you were. Bloody hell, you had sex with me to work your way into my life even while thinking I was a criminal. What does that say about you? And to think I was falling for you. I’ve thought other women were gold diggers or celebrity chasers, but you’re worse than all of them. On top of that, you bugged my room and lied to me. You can’t be trusted. I can’t believe I fell for your act.”
“Blake, you can’t really believe what you’re saying. Our emotional and physical connection was real. Please believe me,” she pleads as her eyes flood with tears.
“Save it for the next time you need to manipulate a man. I don’t want to hear more of your lies.”
“It’s not a lie. I was falling for you too, but I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t believe me either. I’d thought I could prove you were innocent. And I did. Harrington just already knew it.”
She looks devastated. But I won’t fall for her incredible acting skills again.
“I’m leaving. Don’t bother to speak if our paths cross. I want nothing more to do with you.”
She nods as she wipes tears from her eyes.
My heart aches with regret and disappointment. I’d started hoping there was a future for us. But I’ve had enough of her duplicity and lies. Shaking my head, I walk out the conference room door, slamming it behind me.
The heat rises in my face as I storm down the hallway and out of the building. I’m angry—at her, at my team, and at BritishIntelligence. Hell, I’m angry at myself for daring to let my guard down.
And I can’t even call my therapist. She fucking tried to kill me today. How messed up is that?
But Bri was the worst. She’s one hell of an actress. She betrayed me, but damn it if I didn’t want to hug her and tell her it would be okay. For some inexplicable reason, my heart wanted to believe her even after the role she played in this cocked-up mess.
No wonder they recruited her to be a spy. She’s damn good at her job.
32
BRIANNA
Talk about awkward.
Blake and I are still living in the same house. There’s nowhere else for me to stay during the final weekend of Wimbledon. Fausto, Erin, and Josh are coordinating schedules so that Blake and I don’t cross paths.
I assumed Blake would move out, but British Intelligence is insisting that he play the final match with me. I’m not sure what they are holding over him, but it must be something. After what happened on this mission, I can’t even pretend that I’m fully informed.
