Page 74 of Buckled in Barbwire

His jaw clenches. “Yes.”

“You lied to me.” The pain in my voice echoes in the space separating us.

Brody tips his chin, the image of unapologetic. “I did what had to be done.”

“Wow.” My laugh is hollow. “Does that mean you made Bianca’s phone disappear? To make sure she wouldn’t get in the way of your plans?”

He straightens, taking a meaning step forward. “Twinkles—”

“Stop.” I hold out my palm and he halts in his tracks. “This is what you were hiding.”

“I was going to tell you.”

“Uh-huh, sure. Right after we figured it out on our own.” Another realization hits. “Why did you let me think Bianca was mad? Just to jerk me around a bit more?”

He flinches, exposing a crack in his armor. “You came to that conclusion on your own.”

“But you could’ve corrected me. That’s lying by omission, husband. You’re really earning that master manipulator title.”

“And you wanted to leave, but then you were glad we stayed. Just told me,” he reminds on a lazy drawl.

“That was before I had all the facts,” I counter. “Not sure what I expected, but this is pretty low. Even for you.”

“Let me explain.”

My head shakes to deny his request. “I’ve already heard plenty. You’re exactly who you claim to be. It’s my fault for assuming this could be more than a contractual obligation.”

His boot takes a purposeful step in my direction as I begin to turn around. “Where are you going?”

“Away from you.”

“We need to talk about this.”

I roll my eyes at his authoritative tone, not that he sees it. “Maybe later. I need space.”

“And we need to catch waaaaay the hell up.” Bianca hooks her arm through mine.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Brody isn’t shy about following us to Bianca’s car.

“None of your business,” she tells him.

“Paisley is my wife,” he bellows in return.

Irritation prickles along my spine. “Only as a convenience for you to get ahead by any means necessary.”

Bianca bristles beside me. “Such bullshit.”

Brody flanks my other side. “Don’t do anything reckless. Your behavior is a direct reflection on me now.”

“Aww, you care about your pawn staining your reputation?” The smile I give him is deranged, which is how he makes me feel. “Don’t worry, husband. I won’t tarnish your image.”

He glares when I get in the passenger seat and slam the door in his face. A bent knuckle taps on the window. “Call me if you need a ride home.”

“She won’t. Stay here and plan your next big movesfor Benson Farmstead. I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to get back at it. That’s all you care about.” Bianca shoots her brother with a punishing glare that I can hear cracking through the air like a whip. “Maybe find Dad while you’re at it. He ran off again or is avoiding me. Probably your doing along with everything else.”

“Haven’t talked to him since we left.” Fury sparks in his green eyes until he glances at me. “Can we—?”

“Don’t follow us,” Bianca interrupts while sliding behind the wheel. The engine roars to muffle any response he might’ve made. “Gosh, he’s such a dildo.”

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