Page 125 of When We Burn

I’m swinging frombest day evertoyou have got to be fucking kidding mein the span of two minutes.

So, it’s no surprise when the outdoor doorbell rings, and one of my guys calls out to me.

“Hey, Chief, there’s someone here for you.”

Walking down the hallway, I shift my shoulders and concentrate on keeping my face impassive and my body loose.

I won’t let her know that she gets to me. That’s what she wants.

“Bridger!” Angela’s face brightens with a wide smile, and she opens her arms, as if she wants a hug, and I shove my hands into my pockets.

“Hello, Angela. What’s up?”

She sticks her lower lip out in a pout. God, did I ever think she was cute? For fuck’s sake.

“Can we talk in private, please?”

It feels disloyal to take her to my office when, less than an hour ago, I was making love to the woman of my dreams in there, so instead, I lead Angela into a conference room and close the door behind us.

Before I can evade, Angela’s hands are gliding up my back, and she’s plastered herself to me, and I push her away.

“Don’t touch me.” My voice is even, but I’m so fucking pissed off, I want to throw her ass out of here.

“Oh, please. The sex between us was always good, honey, and you know it. We did some fun shit. Remember that time?—”

“We’re not here to walk down memory lane. What do you want?”

She lets out a gusty breath, and then to my utter entertainment, tears fill her eyes.

“Oh, Bridger. I just miss my baby so much.” She swallows hard and brushes daintily at a tear. “I made a huge mistake when I left the two of you. I know that now, and I’ve come to apologize and get my family back.”

“We were never a family.”

“Don’t say that.” She shakes her head and covers her mouth. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do mean it.” I cross my arms over my chest and wait. Angela breaks down into more tears and theatrically brushes them aside before lowering into a chair.

“I know I deserve the cold shoulder. I was horrible to you. I know that.”

“Do you know it?” I tilt my head to the side, watching her. Watching the calculation move through her hard, calculating eyes. “Leaving me in the NICU by myself with a tiny baby. Leaving me at home with her, to take care of her, while you did what and who knows what? That’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

“I’ve changed.”

I bark out a laugh at that. “No, you haven’t. What, did Mister New York dump you?”

A sneer moves over her mouth, and I know that I’ve hit the nail on the head.

“Ah, there it is. Well, you’re not welcome at my house.”

“Don’t tell me that you’re actually into Dani Lexington.” She scoffs at that and then lets out a laugh, pushing her long blond hair back over her shoulder. “Come on, Bridger. She’s so…plain.Such a fucking doormat, and she’s?—”

“One. More. Word.” I let the anger show on my face now as I glare at her. “Say one more word about her, and you’ll be sorry.”

“Right. I’ll say you tried to assault me in here.”

My stomach rolls with nausea.

“There are cameras in this room.” I point to two corners. “Do you think I’m stupid enough to be alone with you without it being recorded? Now, what do you want? I won’t ask you again.”

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