Page 62 of Saved from Deception

“I will.” My case is officially closed; I’m not technically under Blade and Arrow protection anymore, but I don’t have any plans to do anything risky. Not after everything I’ve been through. But I’m not going to stay holed up at headquarters forever, either.

“I’m going to be with Georgia the entire time,” I reassure him. “I have my earrings on, just in case. And I’ll text you.”

Rylan squeezes me tight, sighing heavily. “I know. And I want you to have fun.”

“I’ll be careful.” Leaning close, I whisper in his ear, “And I’m going to buy lots of lacy stuff. I’ll show you all of it when I get home.”

“Hmmm.” It’s a low growl, and something hard prods at my belly. “I definitely like the sound of that.”

“Is it bad that I used the money Rylan gave me to go shopping?”

Georgia puts her drink down and leans towards me, her eyebrows arching up. “No, why?”

I lift my glass, swirling the last dregs of the mojito as I collect my thoughts. “Because I’m an independent woman. A professional. I should be paying my own way, not relying on my boyfriend.”

“You’re not relying on him. You’re letting him help you. There’s a difference.”

“Is there?” I trace little circles in the condensation covering my glass, thinking about the bags of clothes I bought using Rylan’s credit card. He offered it to me as soon as I mentioned Georgia’s invitation—he knows I’m very tight on funds until I start getting my new and very generous salary from Blade and Arrow—but in the shopping aftermath, I’m starting to feel guilty.

“Yes.” Georgia finishes off her wine for emphasis, the large diamond on her finger catching the light and throwing off bright flashes and sparkles. “There is. Rylan is helping you—which he wants to do—until you get settled into your new job. You’re not just sitting around doing nothing and sponging off his money.”

“And—” she holds her hand up when I open my mouth to respond. “You’re partners. And that’s how it works. Sometimes one person needs more help, sometimes the other does.”

“I just don’t want Rylan to feel like I’m using him.”

“Oh, stop.” Georgia makes an are you being clueless on purpose face at me. “He would not think that at all. And really, you’re buying those clothes for him. All that lingerie? Is that for you to look at, or him?”

My cheeks go warm at the thought of it. Lace hipsters, bikinis, a few thongs, some pieces with lots of ribbons and ties that Rylan will love. “Okay. You have a point.”

“I know I do.” She lifts her chin at me, a tiny move I see the guys doing a lot. “Rylan’s going to be very eager to see what you picked out. So I wouldn’t worry about the money.”

Lips tugging up, I take the last sip of my mojito, tasting the sweet lime and mint. “He did just text me asking how soon I was coming home. And what I bought.”

“Well.” Georgia grins. “We shouldn’t keep him waiting, then.”

After a quick debate over the bill—resolved by Georgia announcing, “I don’t feel guilty about taking Rylan’s money,” I pay our server and we head out to the parking lot.

“I’ll get the next one,” Georgia says. “Next week we can celebrate you starting your new job.”

Pausing just outside the restaurant, I shoot Rylan a quick text.

Heading home, can’t wait to show you all the lace. ??

His response is immediate.

I can’t wait.

Georgia is a few steps ahead of me, so I shove my phone in my bag and hurry to catch up to her. The parking lot is mostly empty now, but it was crowded when we arrived, so we have to walk across the last row to get to her car.

It’s still light out—the summer sun just starting to dip in the sky—and music floats over to us from a bar with live music playing down the street. Sleepy Hollow isn’t as busy as Saratoga, but I like the small downtown area and I’m excited to explore it more now that I’m no longer in hiding.

There’s a black van parked next to Georgia’s little Impreza, so we don’t see the flat tire until we’re right up on it.

“Shoot.” Georgia frowns at the right front tire. “I wonder if I drove over something.”

“It could be a faulty tire,” I offer, shrugging at her.

“I guess I’ll call Leo,” she sighs. “I just know he’s going to make fun of my driving.”

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