Or, at least, they used to be.
And for the first time, I’m not wearing some kind of disguise. Hell, I’m barely wearing makeup. Right now, I’m allowing them to see what I really look like. No wig covering my dark hair, no contacts making my eyes dry and itchy. Just me. Just Delaney.
My focus shifts to Cole Vaughn, a former police detective and Addison Mills’s new fiancé. I’m still not sure how these two complete opposites managed to fall in love and make it work, but I can’t miss the way he looks at her, and how she flushes under his constant and doting attention.
Addison—or Addie, as I’ve heard Ryder call her—is the boss. A gorgeous blonde with direct cobalt-blue eyes. She’s a fierce badass, extremely crafty and intelligent. Cole sits on her right, and Knox Beckett takes the seat on her other side. Knox is a charmer who, a lot like me, relies on hissmooth-talking nature and good looks. And then there’s the incredibly beautiful woman who drops down in a chair beside me. Brighton Leroux. Total sex bomb. Her long-lashed, emerald-green eyes flick from me to Ryder, and I can’t miss the hint of a smirk curving her bright red lips. I’m not sure why she looks so amused.
But there’s not a trace of amusement on the last man in their crew. Lincoln Decker, their muscle and safecracker, appears the least happy about my presence. His deep scowl only makes his face look more rugged, and I avoid making eye contact with him because the former MMA champ has that intimidating glower down to an art.
Despite the coolness in the room, the moment Ryder presses his knee against mine, I know he has my back. Other than my dad, no man has ever gone out of his way to protect or reassure me like Ryder is doing right now. His concern that I’m comfortable is sweet and I feel cracks splintering through my walls.
Careful, Delaney,I warn myself.You can’t trust these people.
That old saying—keep your friends close, but your enemies closer—fills my head. And that’s exactly what I plan on doing. I’m still learning to trust Ryder, so it’s going to take time for me to warm up to this group and vice versa. But that doesn’t mean I can’t pull a page from Knox’s handbook and turn on the charisma.
Because deep down? The raw truth is I’d like nothing more than for Ryder’s friends to like me. To look past what they think they know about Bella Diamond. And to accept me for who I really am.
Chapter Fourteen: Ryder
The conference room is noticeably cool and quiet. Focus shifts to me, and I know my crew is waiting for me to formally introduce Delaney. She’s not wearing a disguise today, but there’s no question my friends know exactly who she is. I only hesitate because we didn’t discuss revealing her true identity. Figuring it’s best if I stick to what they know and use her alias, I press my knee to hers beneath the table, hoping to reassure her, and say, “This is—”
“Delaney.” She sends me a small smile. “I’m Delaney Marquette.”
I’m absolutely gob smacked. The fact she revealed her true name means she trusts me, and she wants to trust myfriends, too. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so good, and when I look over at her, still a little stunned, she offers me a shy smile.
And I see what I’ve been yearning to see—trust shining in her gorgeous blue-green eyes. It feels like I’ve won the greatest, most precious prize. Way better than a diamond. So much more amazing than a priceless trinket.
At that moment, I vow to do everything in my power to make this woman look at me like that every day for the rest of our lives.
Yeah, I’m falling hard for Miss Marquette. And the ride couldn’t be more thrilling.
“Is that a new alias?” Linc asks dryly.
A muscle jerks in my cheek. “It’s her real name.” I narrow my eyes at him in warning, sending a clear message: be fucking nice. No one messes with my girl.
“Any other aliases we should know about?” Cole presses.
“No,” she murmurs, shifting in her seat.
“You’re British.” Addie leans forward, folding her hands on the table. She never misses anything.
“Yes.”
“Where in England did you grow up?” Brighton asks.
“Manningtree in Essex.”
“How long have you been in the States?” Knox arches a brow.
“Fifteen years.”
“Why Denver?” Cole inquires.
“My dad was offered a teaching position.”
“Where?” Addie asks.
“The University of Denver.”
