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“Are you only friends with me because it gets you closer to Brendan’s house?” I actually feel more betrayed by her than Brendan if what I’m saying is the truth. Was she really even my friend? God, that would hurt. Brendan never tried to get close to me to use me. He just wants to be with me. (Yes, I’m letting the whole breaking-my-lights thing go for now.)
“It’s not what you think.” Laura stands.
“If you’re trying to hurt Brendan, then you’re trying to hurt me,” I tell her as I stand, too. “I love him.”
“I love you too, angel,” Brendan says as he comes in the front door. I rush over to him, then see he has Charlie in his arms. He must have gone to get him. Laura watches the two of us as I kiss Brendan and wrap my arms around him.
“Laura’s not trying to hurt me,” Brendan says as he pulls me close. I let out a breath. Thank God.
“She’s trying to get me killed.”
17
BRENDAN
The hitman follows me into Ariadne’s house. He doesn’t have a gun in his hand. He doesn’t need one. I know the Brotherhood sent him. The guy is deadly just standing there, his gaze taking in the room.
“Laura.” He tips his head at her.
“Been a while, Heath. What brings you out this way?” Laura perches on the arm of Ariadne’s sofa, her posture nonchalant despite the threat.
Charlie jumps from my arms and scurries into the Christmas house with Mrs. Claws.
“Who are you?” Ariadne steps forward, but I take her hand and scoot her away from Heath.
“That’s far enough,” he calls, his voice low and not unfriendly. But I suppose he can kill with an amiable smile on his face. It’s his calling.
I turn and keep Ariadne behind me.
“I’m here for the data.” He looks at me, his sharp blue eyes without mercy. “But the drives he gave me are empty. Would you know anything about that, Laura?” He cuts his gaze to her.
“Why would I know anything about that?” She inspects her nails.
“Cut the shit, Laura. You broke into my safe and wiped the drives.” I pray to all the Christmas angels overhead that she made a copy before destroying the information.
“I did?” She’s still checking her manicure.
“Look.” Heath leans against the door and crosses his arms over his chest, the black pistol in his holster coming into view. “I don’t care what little holiday drama you three have going. I’m here for the data. And if I don’t get it, I’m here for his life.” He jerks his chin at me. “So, what’s it going to be? I can’t wait here for long. My neighbor has a clumsy streak.” He smiles, a genuine one that reaches his eyes. “And she’s trying to string Christmas lights. I need to keep an eye on her so she doesn’t break her neck.”
“Wait, go back.” Ariadne peeks around me. “Did you just say you’re going to kill Brendan?”
His smile fades. “Yes. The data or his life. Those are the options.”
“Laura.” Ariadne’s voice takes on a harsh note that I’ve never heard before.
“What?” Laura snaps. “He’s a hacker and a liar! He broke your lights. He’s no good, Ariadne.” She shakes her head. “I should’ve killed him already, but you kept telling me to cool it. Well, now Heath is here to handle it, and I say we let him.”
“Laura!” Ariadne steps around me though I keep my arm around her. “You give him that data right this second.”
“I erased it,” she says breezily.
Ice water trickles down my spine. “You didn’t make a copy first?”
Heath reaches for his gun. “I was hoping I could have a clean holiday, but I see that’s shot. Literally.” He points the pistol at me.
Ariadne tries to step in front of me, but I hold her off. “You can’t shoot him. Mrs. Claws, Charlie, attack!”
Neither of them come out of their Christmas house, and I’m almost certain they’re getting busy again.
