Page 32 of The Pass Protection
“For two months this summer, I kept to myself. The only way I could think to get out of the situation was to leave. Finally, luck was on my side. Grant told me about his friends needing a roommate, which brought me here. So when I saw that envelope, I thought he had found me.”
A long sigh escapes Crew, and for a moment, neither of us says anything. For a moment, I think that the bubble we’ve found ourselves in has deflated. But leave it to Crew Riggsby to surprise me. In a flash, he’s cupping the sides of my face in his strong hands and pressing his lips to mine. At first, I don’t move, the shock paralyzing me. I thought for sure he’d run for the hills. But with every step of the way, Crew Riggsby surprises me and sweeps me off my feet.
The moment ends before I can react, but he doesn’t go far as he presses his forehead against mine. “I’m so glad you’re still here.” His words are a whisper.
I’m so glad I’m here, too.
Deciding I can’t take this vulnerable state any longer, I slide out from beside Crew and stand on my feet. With my palms, I wipe the moisture from my face.
“Okay, enough of that.”
Crew turns his large body, which looks surprisingly good on my bed until he’s facing me. His muscular legs stretch out on the ground. “For now. I will need to know how to find this fucker and break his neck.”
“Later. Right now, I need you to keep this information to yourself.”
“Rebel,” he groans my nickname, and the words heat my insides. “Promise me you’ll tell your family, tell Grant, sooner rather than later.”
“I will.” He eyes me skeptically. “Really, I will. But right now, I want to go see what this whole family dinner is about.”
Because the truth is, I miss having friends and a place I can feel comfortable in. I know my past won’t stay behind me, but I need to pretend right now.
What the actual fuck?
My mind is still spinning over Bret’s revelation. I knew she was keeping a secret, and I knew someone had hurt her. But that? I never could have imagined that to be her story.
What kind of sick fuck preys on someone like that? Likeher?
No woman should ever be used and manipulated, especially Bret. She has such a good character and a heart of gold.
Bret Campbell is the type of girl you bring home to meet your parents.
Blood boils in my veins as I fight the urge to catch the first flight to Arizona and findChad—such a small dick name for a douchebag. I want to introduce him to my fist, and I’m not that guy. Now, my brother, he’s the type of guy who speaks with his fist, not me.
But right now, I could make an exception.
The entire ride to Brynn and Chloe’s townhouse has been silent. Bret has sat with her head lolled against the window as she stares out at the passing scenery. Harris hasn’t said much but keeps finding my eyes in the rearview mirror. And JP, well, JP isJP. He’s had his nose in his phone with a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, probably organizing some kind of hookup.
A few minutes later, we are climbing the walkway to the townhouse. Harris leads the way, with JP behind him and Bret followinghim. I eat up the space between us and nudge her shoulder. Her green eyes shine up at me, but they aren’t as bright as they have been. No, they look more like how she arrived weeks ago, which I’m not surprised about.
“Ready for this?”
“Totally. Who wouldn’t want to spend an evening with people she barely knows after confessing her fucked-up past?”
Reaching my hand out, I gently grab her forearm and feel the shock between us. “Rebel, we don’t have to go in there.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m fine. Sorry, that was a bad attempt at a joke.”
“If that was your attempt at a joke, we have a lot of work to do.”
“Crew!” a booming voice sounds from behind me. “Quit hogging our girl!”
A wide smile takes over Bret’s face as she finds Brynn. With a pat to my chest, Bret’s moving past me, our bare arms brushing. Her eyes find mine over her shoulder before she calls out, “You coming?”
I’d follow her to the end of the world.
Stepping foot inside the townhouse, my senses are hit with the delicious aroma of fresh-baked bread and garlic. Italian must be on the menu for tonight’s dinner. Brynn and Chloe both live in a two-story townhouse near campus. It’s a newer complex with higher-end finishes and neutral colors throughout.
The two started hosting dinners with their other friend, Macy, a few years ago. Even though Macy moved out to live with her boyfriend, Gregg, Brynn and Chloe have continued the tradition. Luckily for us, Chloe cooks all of the food. Her dad is a Michelin-star chef, and she acquired his talent in the kitchen.
