Page 6 of Release You

I flashed her a smile. She raised her eyebrow, and I toned down the friendly act. “Looks like you’re having buyer’s remorse. I’d be more than happy to take this dump off your hands. You know, if you’d like.”

She tossed her hair, treating me to a bright smile— all white, perfect teeth, except for her left cuspid, which stuck out a little. I ran two fingers across my lips and chased away the picture creeping up into my head. She couldn’t be her.

The floor shook under my boots the second the memory of Hipolita hit me square in the chest. Hipolita Morrow? I stepped back to put more distance between us. Did she not recognize me? Why was she back? Why the new name? A string of other questions ran through my head, making me dizzy.

“Darling, I think that’s a marvelous idea.” Her tone of voice was sweet, though the fire in her eyes was still there. “But I just got here, and I don’t have a place to stay.” She glanced up at the chandelier, biting her lip. “The place is all yours, provided you let me stay until the end of the month.”

She wanted to live under my roof. Why? A ruffle toward the back of the grand staircase made her cringe, and she got closer to the door. She didn’t want to be here anymore than I wanted her here.

“What happens at the end of the month?” I asked.

She smiled, and for the first time since she got here, she seemed sincere. “I get to go home.”

“Hmm.” I rubbed my jaw.

Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she strolled backto the bar. My gaze followed her silhouette for a second before I glanced away. Those jeans were already tattooed in my mind; I didn’t need to stare. Having her just a few doors down from my bedroom would definitely be a problem. I couldn’t have anyone sniffing around my business in this place. As far as the townspeople were concerned, I was here to give the downtown area a facelift to bring in more tourists. How long would it take for her to figure out I’d been digging around looking for the old underground passages that led to Cavalier Manor at the edge of town? Would she help me or use me again?

“Are you always this stoic?” she asked.

I stuffed my hands in my jean pockets and surveyed her face. “I have an old friend who can put you up. If you want. You can stay with her for as long as you need to.”

She gritted her teeth and flashed me a fake smile, so different from the one she’d offered before. “I had my heart set on this place.”

Sweet Hipolita had to be one of the worst liars I’d ever met, full of tells. She might fool others, but she wouldn’t last two hands at my poker table.

“Seriously? I’ve been clearing out rats for the last three days. You’re okay with that?”

“I really need to stay here. I made a promise.”

The last part sounded like the truth, though it didn’t help me right now. I needed her gone. Why did I feel like I was losing this battle?

“What if I told you I was here on a mission to avenge my father?”

Her face went blank. How interesting.

“I’d say you’re the biggest kidder I’d ever met.” She laughed and then frowned.

I’d felt it too. The room rumbled again under my feet. Oh shit. I closed the space between us to move her away from thewindows, but she was quick, even in those heels. She rushed out the door to her car. Was she insane?

I ran after her, pulled her by the waist, and slammed her against the hotel wall, harder than I meant to. “I told you this street isn’t safe.” My heart pounded as she clung to me, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

“What the hell was that?” she asked.

“Structural damage to—” A loud crack, followed by another rumble boomed around us, and within seconds, the pavement in front of the hotel collapsed, taking her car with it.

“Omigod. What the hell?” Tears brimmed her eyes.

“Are you sure you want to keep that promise?” I asked.

CHAPTER 3

Her Plan Was the Only Plan

Nikki

The world was literally falling apart around me. Henry braced his straining biceps on either side of me. I leaned my head against the brick wall and met his gaze. His strength was familiar and comforting. I’d been on my own for so long I’d forgotten what it was like to feel protected. A warm flutter rushed across my belly. I’d bet my cheeks were bright red too.

He forced out a long breath and winced.

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