Page 29 of Ruthless Deliverance

“No, but this is a lovely surprise,” Rosemary says. “Do you care to join us for brunch? Pull up a chair. Everything will be ready in a few and there’s plenty to go around.”

Um. I’m a little overwhelmed by her warm welcome, and I wonder how many of Creed’s friends she’s invited to join them for a meal. It’s something I shouldn’t be giving any thought to. JR is definitely more reserved than his wife, but he extends his hand and motions to the unoccupied chairs around the table. “Yes. Please have a seat.”

“Maybe another time. We have a school project we need to get working on.” Creed speaks so sweetly to his parents, I wonder if he’s legit or has been replaced by a nicer, kinder twin. And I really hope he sticks around, even if he does weird me out a bit since it’s the complete opposite of the brute I’m adjusted to.

“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll bring some plates up in a few.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Nice twin smiles at his mom as his hand gently grasps mine, leading me out of the kitchen. When his mom calls out how lovely it was to meet me, I return the sentiment then look to the guy who’s leading me up the staircase. My hand is in his, and it doesn’t feel out of place. His adoring mother making me feel comfortable in her home shouldn’t make my insides warm and fuzzy either. But she did and they do. Creed’s fingers shouldn’t still be entwined with mine. But they are. Because it feels good. Yeah. It’s been wonderful meeting the nice twin too, but I know he’s taking me into a room where the familiar asshat will emerge.

He leads me down a corridor, pushing a door on the far end open as we step inside. A bedroom. His bedroom. It has to be because his stupid alluring scent lingers everywhere. Quickly pulling my hand from his, I watch as he closes the door, and a smirk rises on his face.

“Talk. That’s all I want to do.”

“What else would you be doing here?”

Jerk. Folding my arms across my chest, my fingers dig into my forearms. “How’d you find out?”

“Ten stitches. Very few people are privy to that detail. The only reason they know about my shoulder is I couldn’t hide the cast. But I don’t talk about it with anyone, and neither does those who know. So, my question was how’d some new girl, who just transferred in, know such a specific detail that only a handful of people know.”

“My boss told me. And he also told me to stay away from you. So you’re safe, precious.”

“And that pisses you off, doesn’t it? That I’m right under your nose and still untouchable … in more ways than one.”

Is he a freakin’ mind reader? “Don’t flatter yourself, dipshit. I tried my best to stay the hell away from you. You keep pulling me back in to your twisted web.”

“And what will we do now that you’re fully tangled in it?” He takes a few steps closer as I counter and step back.

“Stop it. Just tell me what you’re planning. Are you gonna blow my cover, tell my boss, get me fired?”

“Throw your dad under the bus?”

He knows everything. “Yes. I’m doing this for my dad. And I’d appreciate it if you just tell me whatever you’re gonna do because I’m tired as fuck of dealing with all of it and you. If it’s done, it’s done. I’ll go about my way, and you can live your posh existence knowing you won.”

His eyes scan the large bedroom for a second, looking out the window that has a clear view of the grounds beyond a balcony. “If I wanted you gone, you’d already be gone.”

“Nice to know. So, what is it then? Just want to torment me a little more?”

“I want to help you find the truth.”

“Yes.” I laugh, staring at what is obviously the delusional twin. “Why would you want to help me?”

“I have my reasons. But I have one condition.” Creed looks to me with determination, and I question my sanity more than his in this moment because I want what he’s offering to be true. I don’t want to blow the assignment and I won’t have to fight the idiot at every turn to get my job done.

“What do you want?” I expect it to be something like a request to suck his dick or spread my legs whenever called upon, but instead he demands, “Tell me—what do you fear?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Come on, Dani. I know there’s something inside that pretty little head that terrifies you.”

“Why would I tell you? So you can use it against me?”

“I already have enough to get you to bend to my will, but I want to know what truly terrifies you.”

“Tell whoever you want who I actually am, that’s fine, but I won’t be your puppet.”

As I turn to walk away, he calls out, “I’ll help you.”

He’s playing another game. One where he thinks he’ll win, because he always does. “Why would you if I won’t give you the one piece of info you so desire?”