Page 103 of Second Chance Savior

“I don’t have Stockholm Syndrome! Give me a break. River didn’t kidnap me, and besides that, I never had any real reason to doubt him.”

“I didn’t say Stockholm Syndrome. But now that you mention it. The man was CIA. He’s a master manipulator and a hacker who considers little things likelawsbeneath him.”

“And he saved my life. He’s protected me at great cost to himself. He’s also explained a lot of things that happened in the past, and I understand him. I’ve known him for well over two decades, since we were children. I know the kind of man he is.”

Brynn set her bow on a table and made me set down mine. Held me by the shoulders so she had my full attention. “Honey, River has his own agenda where Stillwater is concerned. That much is clear. Do you think we failed to run background on his friends in Hartley, like Trace Novo? The FBI has a file on them. River’s buddies keep popping up whenever shit is going down.”

I blanched, but did my best to hide my reaction. “So what?”

“So, they sound a lot like vigilantes. If River’s got your loyalty, you’ll be more compliant, more willing to go along with whatever he says. And you were engaged to his brother, so maybe that’s muddied the waters in your mind. Confused things, and?—”

I pulled away from her. I struggled to keep my temper. But it wasn’t easy. “Remember who you’re talking to. I’m the lieutenant governor, not some starry-eyed, lovesick kid.”

“Hold on a minute.Lovesick? We’re talking aboutlove?”

“It’s a turn of phrase.” Of course I wasn’t suddenly in love with River.

Even though he was an incredible man who happened to loveme. I only thought about that every two minutes or so.

“You and I have been close for a while now, and I adore you. But this time, I need you toback the hell off. I know what I’m doing. River is…” I chewed my lip, tasting the metallic tang of blood. “He’s someone who means a great deal to me.”

She held up her hands. “My apologies.”

I went and picked up my bow. Didn’t speak another word until I’d emptied my quiver into the target. Brynn did the same, though she moved with less agitation. Far more grace.

Then I exhaled.

We both walked over to our targets to fetch our arrows. Brynn pulled the first one and looked down at the tip. “You know, I seem to remember you telling me just a few days ago that you were taking a break from men. It wasn’t a very long break.”

“I said what I said. I’m not going to repeat it.”

She laughed. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time. Your message was received, and I accept that my initial concerns were off base. I’m just thinking to myself. For Charlotte McKinley to change her tune about a guy so quickly, he must be something else in the bedroom.”

I tried to keep a dignified, straight face. But it wasn’t possible. I cracked a smile, and we both started giggling.

“You’re not wrong.”

“Get it, girl.” She put up her hand for a high five, and I slapped it. “If you find any more like him, feel free to send them my way.”

We laughed together as we collected our arrows. After we’d put everything away, we headed back toward the garage. I assumed River would be finished with Jud soon. We couldn’t stick around here much longer.

“You mentioned you have Jud’s confession on video,” Brynn said.

“River recorded it while Jud was telling us all about how he took bribes in exchange for voting the way Stillwater wanted. Doing them favors. Pretty disgusting stuff.”

“No kidding. But it’s exactly the info we need. I’d like to get that to my superiors as soon as possible.”

“How are you going to explain where you got it? I’m in the video.”

“Leave that to me. I could say you left the video here at your parents’ place, and that I just missed you. But it’ll be a whole lot easier if you and River come in with me.” Brynn held up her hands. “Hear me out, okay? Yes, they’ll probably place River under arrest.”

I stopped and stared at her incredulously. “This is your argument to win me over?”

“It’ll only be temporary. My boss is Special Agent in Charge Michael Stanford. You’ve met him. He’s trustworthy. We’ll get this all sorted out, the manhunt for River will be over, and we can start focusing on the real bad guys.”

“But we don’t know exactly who else in the government is working for Stillwater. It could be someone inside the FBI.” I couldn’t tell her about the list. I’d given my word to River. But even without that knowledge, Brynn had to realize how much danger River could be in while stuck in a prison cell.

“Then you could come without him,” she said. “I’ll guarantee your safety. Even your overprotective boyfriend will have to see this is the most reasonable solution. More than you continuing to be on the run.”

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