Page 98 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

Brant reached right back for me, as if making the point that he was fighting for me. “Kins, please. You can yell at me the entire time or whatever else makes you feel better.”

That was the problem: I didn’t know what would make me feel better. “Maybe later. I’m tired.”

He let out a disappointed breath. “I understand, but I’m following you home.”

I tilted my head. “Why would you do that? You live five minutes from here.”

He pulled me to him. “Because I want you to feel safe. And I want to know that you’re safe.”

I swallowed hard. My eyes started darting around. “Do you think Jill is following me?”

“Not you, but I’m not putting anything past her at this point.”

Not you? Which meant he thought she was still following him. I shook, and not from the cold.

“Hey.” Brant put his arms around me. “I won’t let her come near you ever again.”

“How can you stop her?” I clung to him but then remembered she might have someone watching us now, and, you know, I wasn’t sure about us clinging together. I pulled away.

Brant’s brows furrowed. “I was enjoying that.”

“Me too,” I quietly admitted. “But we can’t. Someone’s probably taking pictures of us right now. And . . . and . . . I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.”

He took my cold hands and pulled them up to his face. His warm lips landed on them. “Kins, I’m sorry. So sorry for my mistakes and for exposing you to the Copelands. But we can’t let them win. Let them take their damn pictures. Their threats mean nothing anymore. They think they own us because we don’t want to be exposed, but we’re ready to tell the truth. And the truth will silence Jill and her family forever.” He paused and swallowed. “Not to say she won’t rear her ugly head in some way before it’s all said and done.”

I leaned away from him. “How?” I stammered.

He gave me a tender yet sympathetic look. “I wouldn’t put it past her to contact you again.”

“Do you think she would physically harm me?” I mean, I was pretty sure I could take her if it came down to a one-on-one fight. She had noodle arms. But if she surprised me, or heaven forbid, used a weapon . . . My throat swelled up at the thought.

Meanwhile, Brant’s face exploded fiery red at the mere mention of the idea, though he calmed down quickly. “That’s not her family’s style. They work in the dark and shadows. They wouldn’t want to draw attention to themselves. Besides, leverage is their game. And she wants to hurt me, not you. She knows the best way to do that is to make sure we stay apart.”

I’m not going to lie, the thought of letting Jill win didn’t sit right with me. But I knew it wasn’t a good reason to try and work things out with Brant. Even if I evilly wouldn’t mind rubbing it in her face.

“When are you announcing the sale?”

“A week from today.”

“What do you think the Copelands,” I whispered their name, “will do after that?”

Brant smirked. “They’ll see the writing on the wall and scramble to call in every favor they can. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to make some deal with my dad to buy him off.”

“But he won’t take it, will he?”

Brant shook his head. “We’re all done living a lie. And he won’t do that to my mom. He knows it would kill her.”

“Do you think there’s any hope for your parents?”

Brant shrugged. “I don’t know.” The pain was apparent in his voice. “One thing the men in my family seem to be good at is pushing away the women we love. Anyway,” he sighed, “you’re freezing; let’s get you home.”

I had one more thing to say before we parted. “I’m sorry your father pushed you into the Copelands’ path.”

“He is too, but I can’t entirely blame him. I let my ego get the better of me, thinking I was what this country needed and it was worth the price I had to pay.”

“I wouldn’t hesitate to vote for you again, Brant.” I meant that.

He offered me a smile. “That means the world to me. You mean the world to me.”

“I want to believe that, but the evidence is against you.” I grabbed my stomach. Would I ever not think of him and Dani together?

“I can understand why you believe that, but I’m not going to leave any doubt in your mind how I feel about you, so get ready.” He was so determined.

A rush of heat swept through me despite the cold night air. I didn’t know what to say. “I better go home.”

He gently pulled me to him and kissed my head. “I love you.”

We shall see.

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