Page 75 of Branded Betrayal

He stalks away from us and rounds a corner, disappearing down a hallway.

What the hell is going on with him? And what did he mean by all that?

“I’m sorry about his outburst, Savannah. My son and I have a complicated history,” Harlon says, a deep sigh slumping his shoulders.

“It’s okay. I’m sure you’re all just worried about Wyatt. I know stress tends to make people say things they don’t mean.”

Colt glowers at me. “Don’t tell me what I don’t mean. I meant every fucking word I said.”

“Colt,” Harlon says, a warning in his tone. “Savannah doesn’t mean any harm. She’s just here to be supportive. Don’t be rude.”

“This is a family issue,” he says, his hazel eyes glittering with anger. “And she ain’t family, last I checked.”

“Do not make me say it again, Colton.” Harlon stands up from the chair and shoves a finger against Colt’s chest. “You watch your manners.”

I hold up a hand and back away. “No, he’s right. I shouldn’t be here. I’m sorry for intruding on your family time.”

“Savannah,” Harlon says. “It means so much to have you here. Please don’t go.”

“It’s fine. I’ll be praying for Wyatt.” I force a smile. “I, um, I’m going to check on Blaze.”

I have no idea what I just witnessed back there, but it’s pretty clear that the fractures run damn deep within the Hartman family. And I thought Nash and I were on rocky terms.

I head toward the hallway, walking quickly to put as much space between me and the Hartmans as possible. I stare at one of the signs, trying to make out where Blaze might have gone. I jog toward the elevator and turn a corner. Then I stop short.

Blaze is on the floor, his hat next to him, holding his head in his hands. After a quick debate with myself, I sink down next to him. He doesn’t look up. I lay a hand on his arm, wanting so badly to console him. But the chill emanating off him is enough of a warning to keep my mouth shut.

“I told you not to come,” he says, his voice flat, eyes staring at the floor.

“I know, and I said I wasn’t going to let you deal with things alone. But you shut me out like you always do. And shame on me for continuing to let it happen.”

He finally lifts his head. “Then make the decision to stop, Savannah.”

My heart clenches tight, fury clawing at the sides of my throat, my mouth aching to form the words I desperately want to shout at him.

But my heart betrays my mind yet again.

“Is that what you really want, Blaze?” I lean close to him. “Because if you say yes, you’re a fucking liar. And we both know it.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Blaze

She’s right. I’m a fucking liar. So much more of a liar than she knows.

But if I tell her the truth . . . what she wants to hear . . . it’ll just prolong the inevitable.

Because she shouldn’t love me. I’ll break her heart all over again with everything I am and everything I’ve done.

I stare at Savannah, her deep-blue eyes brimming with emotion, begging for some affirmation that what happened between us today meant more than just the physical release we’ve been craving since we found each other back in Whiskey Creek.

I meant what I said to her. She needs to run the fuck away from me and not look back.

It’s the right thing, but not what I want at all.

“Savannah—”

My phone buzzes, and I grab it out of my pocket, blood rushing between my temples, when I see the text from Colt.