Page 45 of Dangerous Love

A cold shower woke me from my daze. “No. Shit no.” I shook my head, the frown on my face deep enough to hurt. “Never have, never will. We sent it back with a thank you note.”

His jaw tightened, his muscles tensing. “Really? Come on, Riley. Tell Trey to cut the shit. That cutesy stuff is funny in movies. But when it comes to a guy like Cooper, sending a thank you note is like shaking a red flag in front of a narcissistic bull.”

Shame drilled through me, Jarryd’s words sinking in. Though I hadn’t been the one to addthatlittle touch, there was no way I was admitting that out loud. I wasn’t about to put it all on my brother. Still, a small part of me didn’t want to let Hal go. Because the more he paid, the more Seth continued to exist in my fucked-up world.

“I’ll speak to him,” I said, my eyes avoiding his frown.

“Anything else?”

I fucked Sienna, and now I don’t know how to protect her from me?I cleared my throat, sweat building at the base of my skull. When he asked again, I remained silent.

Then he guessed. “Don’t say it. It’s Sienna, isn’t it?”

Leaning down, I grabbed the water bottle by my feet and took a long gulp, while my brain tried to salvage what it would sound like if I even tried to explain. “I love her,” I whispered. “But I know I fucked up.”

The fine lines on his forehead grew thicker. “Jesus Christ. Tell me she’s nowhere near Cooper.”

My lips curled downwards. “No way. Over my dead body.”

His voice softened. “So, what is it?”

“We slept together, and she wants to be out in the open…”

He ran a hand over his face. “But if Cooper gets any hint that she’s your Achilles’ heel again, you’re worried he’ll come for her.”

I sighed, cramps bulldozing through my stomach with every breath. “Yes.”

Jarryd’s hand settled on my guitar, my fingers frozen beneath his unspoken instructions. “After the wedding, we need to tell Avery, Riley. We’re family. We all need to fight this together.”

Gently, I placed my guitar back in its case and zipped the cover tight. Then I stood, every emotion in me bouncing against the walls of my heart.

Anger. Fear.Shame. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”

“Even break up with her? If that’s what keeps her away from Cooper?”

“If that’s what it takes.” My voice sounded foreign to me. Like I could hear the words, but my heart refused to feel them. I ignored the wound bleeding through my chest and marched out of the place, praying for strength. Asking God to give me the fortitude to get through tomorrow.

CHAPTER23

Sienna

“Wow,” April said as her eyes studied me from behind the full-length mirror of the hotel we’d booked for the night. “You look beautiful.” She stepped closer and gave me a quick hug.

My face warmed. “Aw, thank you. You’re beautiful too.”

Sounds of lace rustling in the hallway increased until Grace stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips. “What’s going on with my bridesmaids in here?” Both April and I chuckled as Grace ambled to where I stood, moisture glistening her eyes. Her thumb stroked my cheek. “Sweetie, I’m so happy you’re here with us.”

My heart swelled. I was always going to be part of the day, but I was glad that I’d been able to take on more of an active role. Dress rehearsals and all. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” I crooned. “And you look out of this world, Grace. My brother is lucky to have you.”

Behind us, April cleared her throat. “All right, ladies. We need to get going.” She gave Grace her forearm. “We have to get you downstairs a little earlier for the bride and groom photos.”

Grace nodded, then she turned towards me. “Are you going to be okay until Riley gets up here?”

“Of course.” I checked the time on the clock above her head. “He’ll be here in ten. Just enough time for me to scull down some chocolate milk and hide the evidence.”

“Did you stash some in here? No fair!” April pouted. “I haven’t had my daily Norco fix yet.”

Grace dragged her best friend towards the front of the hotel suite, her eyes laughing along the way. “Well, too bad. I have a hunk to meet at the altar. Let’s go, girlfriend.”

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