I close my eyes. “I need to go.”
“AndIneed that flash drive,” he says and my lids fly open. “But I’m pretty sure that neither of us are going to get what we want tonight. Now”—he glances back at Jace and the sudden tension in the room has me holding my breath—“do you want to explain why in the fuck she was in a place to miss meals and learn how to use air freshener as a weapon?”
Jace’s eyes drift back to mine and I know what he’s going to say…
And what he’snotgoing to say in order to protect me.
I settle my hand on Brooks’s arm. “I didn’t touch the money.”
Slowly, he turns to face me. “Excuse me?”
“Jace gave me the information for the account. I refused to touch it.” I take a breath. “When he insisted, I emptied the account and donated the money.”
Brooks slowly turns back to Jace.
But when I go to lift my hand from his arm, his palm covers my fingers, holds it in place.
And despite how mad I am, how hurt, how much guilt I have for hurting him, warmth blooms in my chest.
Jace sighs and rubs his forehead. “I think we all need pizza and bourbon.”
I’m not hungry.
I just had two giant omelets.
But my stomach doesn’t get the message.
It rumbles loudly at the mention of pizza.
And God? When was the last time I had a glass of bourbon?
I can’t even remember.
But it was probably with these same two men.
Jace’s mouth quirks up. “I’ll order the pizza and booze. Maybe get the woman a snack.”
They break away as one, the fluid movements showcasing a friendship that’s been built and strengthened over the years—Brooks moving to the fridge, pulling it open, and perusing the contents while Jace flicks the lock on the door, reaches into his pocket, and tugs out his phone.
But before he starts tapping on the screen, he lifts his free hand.
Slowly, like I’m a cornered animal, he cups my jaw. “It’s good to see you, kid,” he says gently.
I bite the inside of my cheek, blink back the burn of tears. “It’s good to see you too.”
He smiles and it’s sad. “I just—” He cuts himself off with a shake of his head.
“You just…what?”
A sigh and he drops his hand.
“I just wish you’d taken the money, kid.”
THIRTEEN
BROOKS
Jace tiltshis head toward the door, and I carefully push myself up from the couch, not wanting to disturb Briar.
