Page 62 of Sinner’s Game

“That’s a good thing? What if he realizes that someone’s feeding me lines? I don’t know anything about this man. He might be just as dangerous as my double.”

“You’re going to do fine.” He’s holding both my hands now, and I see a muscle twitch in his jaw as he holds me captive in his gaze. “I promise you, Brandy, I won’t let you down.”

Chapter Twenty-One

I won’t let you down.

Hours later, the words still rang in his head. His promise to Brandy. His redemption for Michelle.

As if he could ever be redeemed. As if he even deserved to be.

He was in the hotel’s gym, beating the shit out of a speed bag, his hands moving at least as fast as his frenetic thoughts.

He’d been working out for an hour. Trying to exorcise the memories. Trying to convince himself that this time that promise would hold true. Because, dammit, he couldn’t lose another woman he loved.

Loved.

He dropped his arms, the bag still vibrating from the power of his punches.

He loved her.

He hadn’t asked for it. He didn’t want it. But there it was. She’d claimed his heart, goddammit, and that simple fact scared the shit out of him.

“Fuck.”

“What’s wrong?”

He spun, startled to see her behind him. “I thought you were asleep.” It was past midnight, and she’d crashed right after the meeting.

“Tried. I guess I’m too wired. Well, too nervous,” she added with a shrug.

“You shouldn’t leave the room. What if a cop saw you? Recognized you from a warrant?”

“Then don’t give me a reason to leave.”

He opened his mouth to retort, decided she had a point, and held out his hand to her.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get back. Have a glass of wine, maybe put in a boring movie. You’ll be asleep in no time.”

She hooked a strand of pink-tipped hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to take care of me.”

“I like taking care of you,” he said, surprised by the truth behind the words. “Besides, isn’t that why you’re here? Because you want me to?”

He expected her to deny it, so when she said—very simply—“Yeah, it really is,” he recognized another facet of Brandy Bradshaw that tugged at his heart—the woman faced things dead on. And she was honest to a fault.

He met her eyes, savoring her mischievous grin. “Come on.” He held out his hand, his heart flipping a bit when she took it so casually, as if this was no big deal. It was just the way they were together.

“I wish I wasn’t so nervous,” she said as they walked the short distance back to their suite.

“I’d be surprised if you weren’t.” He opened the door and ushered her in. “If I could send someone in your place, I would.”

She lifted her brow. “So how much are those masks? Why don’t we put in an order, and you can be me?”

He chuckled, thankful that she could joke about it. She was scared, sure. But she was dealing.

Brandy Bradshaw was a hell of a woman and so much stronger than anyone—including her—realized.

“Go get in bed,” he said. “I’ll get some wine.”