Page 73 of Buckled in Barbwire

“As it turns out, your brother didn’t need a girlfriendto take ownership of the company. He actually needed a wife. After much”—I deliberate on my word choice for a breath—“persuasion, he convinced me to fill the role.”

Her eyes bug out. “You agreed willingly?”

“Well…” My brain scrambles for an excuse that won’t make this worse. “He made it difficult to refuse.”

Her frantic stare slides to my rings again. “Is that barbwire?”

I fiddle with the bands. “It’s somewhat of an… inside joke.”

“Real funny. I can’t believe this.” Bianca yanks at her dark hair. “Why didn’t you call me?”

Frustration rises in a wave, crashing against my already frazzled nerves. “I tried several times a day. You never answered.”

She exhales roughly. “Ugh, right. Sorry. My phone was stolen. Colton was a real shit about letting me use his.”

“Why?”

“Good question. He’s been better about it since we got back, but you weren’t answering yours.”

“It got into a fight with the hot tub at the cabin. Do not recommend,” I sigh.

“That’s… strange.”

“Too much champagne.”

Her brows spring to the clouds. “Wait. Was this secret getaway your honeymoon?”

“Um, yeah. I guess?” Even though I’d been hell-bent against admitting it originally.

“Did you have sex with him?” Bianca gags almost immediately. “Nope, don’t answer that. I’m already assuming the worst after you ran off with him. Gross.”

“We’re married in name only,” I say to reassure both of us.

“Doesn’t matter. A fake relationship would’ve been bad enough.”

“This is just temporary.”

“Uh-huh, keep telling yourself that. Something isn’t adding up. Why didn’t we talk for almost two weeks?”

“I couldn’t get ahold of you,” I reiterate.

“Maybe that was on purpose. He knew how I felt about his plan to use you. I didn’t want you involved in his messy business.” Her glare shifts over my shoulder. “Care to correct me, brother?”

As my pulse kicks into a lope, I follow her focus to where it landed behind me. Brody is there, leaning on the truck, just waiting for recognition. A cowboy hat shadows his eyes and reclaims the broody indifference he oozes like testosterone. The shield is locked in place but I see beneath it. I know him better now. Sort of.

My breath hitches when Brody’s stare smolders into mine. I don’t bother fighting the urge to fan my face. Damn, this man gets me hot and bothered. Nobody can deny that after the onslaught of heated arguments that kicked off our… situationship. Not even his sister.

“Ewwww, no. Not the sex face. Stop looking at her like that. Fake my ass,” Bianca huffs. “He’s not giving up without a fight. But lucky for you, I’m home now. No more limits on our communication.”

Brody’s flinty stare hardens into steel when he glances at her. “I didn’t take your phone.”

“But you didn’t help the situation. All of my accounts were frozen and Colton basically held me captive over thereuntil you got us a flight home. Where the heck was Dad during all this? That’s super suspicious too.”

One part of her speech stands out. I whirl to face my husband completely. “You booked their return flight?”

“Not technically.” He doesn’t sound concerned in the least.

“Don’t split hairs. It’s a yes or no question.”

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