Page 49 of Brutal Truths

I let that sit for a second before adding. “I didn’t want to do that until you were ready.”

My grip tightens at her waist. “So, I’ll ask you again. Are you ready?”

Chapter 14

Isabel

Am I ready?

I honestly don’t know. Everything inside me feels stretched too thin. Like one more truth might be enough to break me completely. Facing it means everything changes. And right now… I’m not sure I have the strength for that.

Sometimes living in the dark is better than stepping into the light, right?

Aiden cups my face in his hands, his forehead pressing against mine, anchoring me before I drift too far. “There is no right or wrong answer. If you need more time, I’ll keep ignoring everyone.”

His scent wraps around me, steady and warm, bringing a calmness I’ve craved for days. It’s a nice reminder that I’m not alone in this.

“Ignoring who exactly? Are you a bad guy? Or just pretending to be a bad guy?”

Why do I keep poking at things I’m not ready to hear?

Without missing a beat, a sly grin spreads across his face as he replies, “Pretending.”

Holy fuck!

I stare at him, waiting for the catch. For the lie. But it doesn’t come.

Then he drops another bomb like it’s nothing.

“I work for Falcon Global.”

My brain short-circuits. I blink once, twice—then smack him hard in the chest. “Shut up!”

Aiden shrugs, that infuriating smirk pulling at his lips like he’s enjoying every second of my reaction.

I lean back, sunlight catching in his eyes as I try to process what he just said. “How long?”

“A few years.” He exhales, his breath faint in the cool air. “Darius recruited me while I was recovering. My father’s history made me the perfect fit for this job.”

He shifts a little, as if weighing his next words. “I reunited with the Doyle family after my dishonorable discharge from my SBS unit. Started at the bottom. Earned my way up. Gained Trent’s trust.”

My stomach twists.

“A year ago, I exposed his head of security. That’s how I got this job. Since then, I’ve been building a case, gathering evidence and piecing together the puzzle.”

“Reunited?” I echo, my head swings with the amount of information. “You were a member before?”

A flicker of something dark crosses his face “When I was a teenager, I got caught up in some ugly shit. My father was a bones-man. Low level, but deep enough. He pulled me into his circle, tried to make it my life too.”

I can’t even imagine that.

“Long story short, we got pinched. He killed a man. I was offered a way out if I testified against him. He ended up pleading guilty before it got that far.”

His gaze sharpens. Controlled. Locked down. “I joined the military the second I was released. Deep down, I knew it was the only way I could break free and leave that world behind.”

“Wow. Okay. So, you went back in undercover?” And before he can answer, I laugh. “And here I thought I was letting my bad girl side come out by falling for someone like you. That’s a bit of a buzzkill.”

His throaty growl sends a shiver down my spine as he leans in to kiss me again. The gentle pressure of his lips against mine, soft and warm, soothes my soul.