Page 15 of Becoming Brandy

Wrek took her hand. “That is the exact reason we should help.”

Brandy shook her head. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Not if we keep Drake happy,” Wrek said. “We’ve survived our brother for a long time. When he’s happy, he’s a teddy bear.”

“A murderous teddy bear,” Brandy murmured.

Wrek continued like he hadn’t heard. “So we do everything to make Drake happy. And then, when he’s at his pinnacle of happiness, we make our request. Nothing too crazy. We aren’t asking him to call off the feud with Han or anything.”

“But I can’t let him abduct Charis. She’s my best friend.”

Tork shook his head. “They’ve raised shields. It’ll be almost impossible to get in now.”

“So you have to show me how to make Drake happy. And you have to do it quickly before he recovers. And my performance has to be perfect or we could all die. Did I get it right?”

Tork and Wrek nodded morosely. “Pretty much,” Tork said.

Brandy blew out a breath. “No pressure, huh? God.” She scrubbed her hand over her face. “Well, no time like the present. Tell me what I have to do.”

Wrek stepped forward, but Tork put a hand on his chest to hold him back. “No offense, little brother, but I’m pretty sure I’m the man for the job.”

Wrek started to protest, but then stopped. “You’re right. Out of the two of us, you’re the most like Drake.” His eyes darted away as if this comment both upset and frustrated him.

Brandy wanted to reassure him, but Tork was already putting a hand on her back, urging her forward. “Let’s go, sweetheart. We don’t have much time.”

“Wait, where are you going?” Wrek asked, starting forward.

Tork raised an eyebrow. “Drake wouldn’t have her in front of anyone. I’ll need to instruct Brandy alone.”

Brandy turned around to see his face so she could gauge his intentions, but he urged her forward again. “Down the hall. Take a right. My room.”

Back to the gym again? She had enjoyed their sparring match, but she didn’t think it was going to help her convince Drake unless he, too, was a female boxing fan. She got an image of her sparing with Drake and shook her head. Then she recalled that time she’d been hired to fight in a kiddie pool full of Jell-O pudding with a girl in a gold bikini. She’d smelled like chocolate for a week after that.

Tork stopped her in front of a wall, pressing his hand to it. As she waited for the material to dissolve, she glanced back to see if she could spot Wrek, but no. He was the one who cared about her, who wanted to protect her. What was she doing here with Tork, the brother she found vastly more attractive but knew could hurt her?

“Time waits for no man,” Tork said, gesturing toward the now-open entrance. He seemed irritated, like this was all her idea and he was fed up with her nonsense.

Frowning, she entered, scanning the area as he sealed up the wall.

The gym was gone. In fact, the room was completely empty, a space about the size of a school gymnasium glowing a dim purplish-black.

When she glanced back, Tork was staring at her with his arms crossed.

“So,” Brandy said, trying to come off bright and excited, but just sounding exhausted, “what should we do first?”

“I should ask you that. What special skills or talents do you have? What can you do to prove to Drake you’re worth keeping? He wants an heir, but I have a feeling that might not be possible. If it was, one of Han’s brothers would have snatched you up.”

Brandy winced.

“So, what else? Prove you’re worth it.” Tork stared at her as if bored.

This question took her back. “I… um… I’m good at Friends trivia?”

He frowned.

“Okay, not that. I know how to give a great massage.” She flexed her long fingers.

Tork shook his head. “Think bigger than that.”

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