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Brielle grabbed her father’s hunting rifle that sat by the front door. The last thing she needed was for her father to come storming out of the house and threaten Tad like he had Sean when Adeline got married. It was definitely better for her to remove it from the premises while she finalized everything with Tad.
* * *
It wasstrange going for a ride with Tad. Several moments during their trip, she’d catch his eye and then he’d smile like he wasn’t the one responsible for her misery. He’d flash her that smile and talk about nonsense. She could almost pretend that they were a happy couple, preparing for a quick wedding because they were in love.
Only he wasn’t Wade.
Her heart twisted with the reality of her own broken heart as she let Tad carry the conversation until they were far enough away she knew they wouldn’t run into anyone who might report to her father. The trail led them into a wooded area. It would have been peaceful if not for the situation.
Brielle climbed down from her horse and grabbed onto the reins, motioning for Tad to do the same. Once he was on solid ground, she faced him. “Okay, I did what you said. Now I want a guarantee that—”
Tad held up a finger, then pulled his phone from his pocket and flashed her a smile she no longer thought was charming. “One moment, love.” He turned away from her and strode a few feet.
Within a few moments, he had become agitated. He shook his head as his pacing quickened. “That wasn’t the agreement, and you know it. You still owe me fifty-K.” He scowled briefly at Brielle. “Then you can forget it. There’s nothing you can do to stop me.” He hung up the phone and stared at it with disgust.
Brielle could do nothing but watch him with curiosity, and when he glanced at her, she didn’t even look away. Instead, she gave him a pointed look. “Sounds like you’ve got some problems. Looks like we have more in common than I thought.”
“Yeah, well, this whole thing has lost its appeal.”
“I’m sorry?” she nearly choked. “What are you talking about?”
He moved toward her swiftly, and she had to focus not to stumble backward. “My name’s not Tad.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“My name’s Clark. I was hired to pretend to be Tad. But the idiot who hired me doesn’t have the money she promised. So, I’m out.” He reached for the saddle of his horse, but she stopped him by placing her hand on his shoulder.
“What? You can’t just say something like that and walk away. What’s going on? What was this whole thing about?”
He sighed. “What’s not to understand? You were a mark.”
Still, her brain wasn’t computing the information he was giving her. She was a mark? “Then why aren’t you still trying to pretend to be Tad? What about the money my family owns?”
Clark snorted. “I like you and all, Brielle, but I don’t want to be saddled in a marriage for a payout that would take fifty years.” He chucked her under the chin. “Besides, you’re too good for me. I don’t know how long it would take, but you’d probably change me. Being a good guy? That isn’t for me.”
She tore her face away from his reach, itching to slap him clear across the face. “I could report you. My godfather is the sheriff—”
He wagged a finger at her, a dry chuckle coming with it. “You wouldn’t dream of doing any such thing.” His smile widened. “Or have you forgotten one minor detail? Wade has one more strike. I hold that card in my hands, and I’m willing to play it. Mutually assured destruction. On the bright side, that Madeline chick seemed pretty upset that I wouldn’t follow through with her plan. I don’t think she’s got any more options to mess with you guys anymore. Too bad she ran out of money. I think it might have been fun spending a few years around here.”
“Over my dead body,” she gritted out.
“And that’s the Brielle I know.” He cocked his head, and for a moment, she caught a glimpse of the person she thought he might have been beneath the surface. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about all of this. From what I understand, this was all about Madeline and Shane. She had me poking around to dig up any dirt I could, but there was nothing. Must be something about this place that I don’t understand.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t expect you to.” She frowned. “What about the real Tad?”
Clark shrugged. “That I don’t know. Madeline never told me.” He nodded toward the horses. “You mind if we head back so I can gather my stuff? I’d rather get out of here before Madeline tries to do the exact thing you mentioned. I can’t exactly get her thrown in jail when she’s already there.”
Brielle nodded numbly. Everything that had just happened made her head pound and her stomach swirl. Tad—no, Clark—was leaving. She didn’t have to deal with him anymore. There was only one more problem to solve.
Finding the real Tad and getting a divorce so she could finally be with the person she really loved.
26
Wade
Wade jumped out of his truck and charged toward Brielle’s house. He had given Shane two hours, but in that time, he’d lost his patience. Madeline wasn’t the threat.
Clark, the imposter who had inserted himself into their lives, was the one they needed to take care of.
