Page 92 of The Twilight Theft

“He’s in the banquet room,” said Scarlett. “Once we advised him Wyatt had been caught, he told security to secure all exits other than via the patio doors, then packed up his things.”

“And Zaria?”

“Craig sent her home.” Scarlett turned to Emmett. “We should get back to business.”

He nodded and the Reynolds siblings left.

“You said you needed food.” I held the bowl of nuts out for Jayce. “But you didn’t eat anything.”

“I’m not hungry.” She took an unsteady step away from the bar and paused, staring at the floor. As much as she needed my help, she wouldn’t ask.

Where did that leave me? Offer my help and she’d decline. Grab her and she’d complain. Stand around like a lost puppy dog and neither of us would get what we needed.

“Here’s what’s going to happen, Jayce.” I left the food on the counter and stepped next to her. “I’m going to help you to the car.”

She frowned but didn’t say no this time.

“If someone comments on it, you can say it’s under duress.” I wrapped an arm around her waist, and she placed hers around my back. “And then I swear we’ll never talk about it again.”

Chapter 36

Jayce

Damnstraight,we’dnevertalk about him helping me to the car.

Because tonight was the last time we’d ever speak to each other.

I’d failed. Not only had I failed completely, but I did it in front of the man who predicted it would happen. Drew hadn’t wanted to let me out of his sight, for fear I’d screw up tonight’s op. And that’s exactly what I did.

I wassucha screwup, even the ultra-controlled, knew-everyone-in-town, leggy-blonde-dating former CIA agent couldn’t save us from me.

Even Scarlett didn’t want me here.

I’d passed out from some combination of Wyatt choking me and the pain in my leg.You’re so weak, Jayce.What was I going to do now? Tuck my tail between my legs, go back to my hotel room as I’d been told, and order five rounds of room service.

But I sure as hell wouldn’t do any of it with Drew Donovan there.

“You’re like Wolverine,” he said.

“What?”

“Your leg. You’re already doing much better.”

That was ego, not rapid healing.

“How’s your head?”

“Fine.”

“We should get you checked out by the paramedics.”

“I’ve lived with this for ten years. It needs ice and a brace.”

“I meant your head.” His stupid, sexy jaw clenched again. It was baffling how he had any teeth left with how tight his jaw always was.

“Is that a crack about me being thick-skulled?”

He huffed out a breath. “It’s a crack about the fact you were unconscious a half hour ago. Head injuries can be serious.”

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