Page 73 of The Twilight Theft

“Ask Emmett or Rav what I was doing last night.”

“Can’t.” I shrugged. “They shut me off.”

“I was at di Sano’s, planning on a quiet evening at my favorite restaurant. But they showed up and told me their concerns about you and Wyatt.”

Those traitors. I shot a glare at Rav, who raised his glass at me.

It was all a setup.

“If you don’t want me the same way I want you, I’ll stop asking,” he said. “But from how you reacted at my place, I was sure you did—until you left. Tell me the truth. Why did you leave?”

Chapter 28

Jayce

Thetruth.It sets you free, Jayce.

It ensures you know exactly why anyone wants you around.

Or doesn’t want you around.

However, my truth wouldn’t negate his. Even if Vanessa lied about yesterday, Drew still only wanted me for one thing. I’d sworn off one-night stands and meaningless sex five years ago. I wasn’t going back to that, no matter how I felt in his arms.

Or the way he looked at me when he thought I’d been hurt setting the tracker.

Or the way he’d ordered that security guard to let go of me.

“We look silly standing in the middle of the dance floor.” Why couldn’t I say it? That his words Thursday night—that I was only something to get out of his system—had stung? Ididalways say what was on my mind.

The background hum in my earpiece kicked back in, full of random chatter.

Will’s light British accent was the first one that made sense. “I told you it wasn’t ready last week.”

I bowed my head, focusing. “What’s going on?”

“The extraction software won’t work,” Will said. “This is Gideon Tremaine. He’ll have way too much security on his phone for us to access it remotely. Can someone grab it?”

“I can’t do it.” I glanced up at Drew, who’d gone back to the flexed jaw look, and pointed at my earpiece.Heaven forbid he think I meant I couldn’t answer his question.Which apparently, I couldn’t.

Drew started the dance again.

“I can try, but he’s surrounded by people,” said Scarlett. “Would Liana’s suffice, if she’s the only option?”

“Watch out for the big guy against the wall in the suit,” I said. “The one with the blond hair and military cut. I think he’s private security for the scarab.”

“Is something happening?” asked Drew. “Do we need to get back to the chip?”

“No, the team’s got it.” How ironic. Talking about honesty, then blatantly lying to him. This double-agent mission-within-a-mission crap was for the birds.

Or for Scarlett. She could handle it.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” said Rav. “I’ll provide cover.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” countered Malcolm. “Hold your post.”

Malcolm was growing too comfortable at Scarlett’s side. It wasn’t his place to make those decisions.

Rav had already pushed back from the mezzanine railing, obviously bothered. But without Scarlett overriding Malcolm, he’d stay. He was a good soldier, and his top priority was always Scarlett.

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