Page 79 of Brutal Kingdom

She glances over at me, and I nod. I can feel it in the air. Things are about to get messy.

* * *

“You and Rocco seem pretty chummy.” I’m standing outside of Jordanna’s apartment when she gets back from class. “Did you trade one crime lord for another?”

“Rocco isn’t a crime lord.”

“But you’re admitting Graham is?”

“Graham’s a hotel owner. If he has any other businesses besides his casino, I don’t know anything about it.”

She swings her door open and steps inside, holding her hand out to keep me from coming in. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Coming inside to hang out.”

“I didn’t invite you in.”

“So… invite me in.”

“Logan, you saw me with Rocco once? Twice? But I always see you with Bella. I don’t invite spies into my house.”

“Jordy, I’m on your side, not hers.” I’ve offered to help, told her my research and resources were at her disposal, but I never actually came out and picked a side. I think a part of me was still trying to protect myself in case Jordanna had another trick up her sleeve to hurt me. But instead of getting closer to me like she did last time, she’s still pulling away. Bella wants me to trust her. I want Jordy to trust me. But I haven’t allowed myself to trust either of them.

I’m waiting for the words to sink in. I see the struggle in her eyes. She holds the same thoughts, doubts and insecurities that I do. Finally she says, “This is a ploy to get me into bed.”

She’s softening. I move towards her. “My plans for getting you in bed are separate from helping you prove your identity.”

“I’m not taking it easy on Bella or anyone else in this town that covers up the truth.”

My hand threads through her hair. “You shouldn’t.”

“And I’m not ready to run an article in The Guild, but I’m not hiding what I’m doing anymore. People are going to notice. I won’t waste time worrying about your feelings or your ego getting hurt.”

I drag my hand down the front of her body, palming her breast. “I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”

She moves my hand. “And absolutely no sex.”

No sex? Well shit, that wasn’t supposed to be a point up for discussion.

“Agree to disagree.”

“I mean it. I need to be clear-headed and I won’t have you using sex as a weapon to play me, so you can stab me in the back again.”

Tipping her chin up, I remind her. “I’m not the only one who did that.”

“Don’t worry, Logan. I won’t be using that trick on you again.”

This is important to her. I need to earn her trust now. Her body later. “Fine. If proving I’m on your side means no sex. I can deal with that.”

She looks me in the eye, unblinking. “Think about what happened with Penn when I went after the truth. Are you prepared for every possible consequence?”

“You don’t scare me, Jordy.”

This is the day we seal our fates, because there’s no coming back from this. We’ll be going against Bella, her family, and the status quo of Kingsley Hollow. This is where I make a stand, with this dynamo of a woman. She’s strong enough to bring it all to the ground. I should be scared, but I’m not.

She steps closer, giving me a wicked smile. One that reminds me of the underlying theme in her painting. One part angel, one part devil. “So we’re really doing this?”

I close the remaining distance. I’m sure my smile matches hers. “I guess we are.”

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