Page 26 of Wicked Rush

“And a towel?”

“Yes. Your clothes are inside the kitchen bathroom. Dry.”

“My car keys?”

“With your clothes.”

“What’s the catch?”

“No catch. But I don’t move forward until I get the truth. If you’re lying to me, it’s a no go.”

Braelynn’s conscience warred with her sense of self-preservation. With little choice, she agreed to play.

“Done.”

“Very well then. First question. Why did you make me leave at the hospital?”

“I didn’t know you.”

“No lying. Truth only. That’s how this game works.”

“It’s the truth. I’d heard of you in circles.” Before she could stop it, the half-truth spilled from her lips. “You give lectures to companies. I have a friend. She’s heard your speech.”

“Ah, but how do you know me?”

“That’s a different question from the first,” she challenged with a small smile.

“A two-fer. Answer it,” he replied, not moving.

“My friend. She, uh, she’s showed me your picture. She heard your motivation speech. Everest?”

“Yeah.”

“She has a bit of a crush on you. That’s how I knew it was you.”

“Why make me leave?”

“Because…” Braelynn began, “there are some people in my life right now.”

“What kinds of people?”

She averted her gaze as he pressed her but summoned the courage to bring her eyes back to his. “They’re very bad people, Lars. The kind you don’t want to know, okay? These people…they are protective of me. No, no, not protective,” she corrected. “They’re possessive. There’s a difference, you know. You helped me, and I didn’t want you involved with them. I didn’t want them to even see you there.”

She knew she’d said too much but as she’d confessed, the weight of her burden lifted. That much was true. Secrets seeped into the open like smoke through cracked wood. She no longer felt alone, and her desire to tell him more bloomed. As he moved closer toward her, Braelynn’s heartbeat soared.

“Who shot at you on the beach?” he asked, his head cocked to the side.

“Lars.” Braelynn kicked her feet to the side, her fingertips brushing the edge. “I already told you. There are dangerous people in this world.”

“Why didn’t you identify them?” he pressed.

“I can’t…” Braelynn stuttered, her eyes drawn to his chest as it disappeared underwater. Closer.

“You won’t…” Lars interrupted.

“I can’t.”

“Goddammit, Brae. Can’t is not an answer.”