Page 38 of Fake it for Keeps

They thought I was going to run to Colt. Tell him what they’d said. Get them fired.

Because that’s what his fiancée would do, right? What any woman in love with him would do?

Protect him. Defend him. Make sure anyone who spoke against him paid the price.

I looked at their frightened faces and couldn’t do it. “I didn’t hear anything,” I said quietly. “And even if I had, I wouldn’t say a word.”

They stared at me, uncertain whether to believe me.

“I mean it,” I continued. “Whatever you said—whatever you think of him—it stays between us. Okay?”

The woman nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

I offered a small smile and went to my stateroom, closing the door behind me.

In the silence of my room, I leaned against the door and let out a long breath.

Colt’s own crew hated him. Feared him.

And Frankie wanted me not to hurt him.

As if I could hurt someone who’d already proven he had no heart to damage.

I changed into the silk pajamas that had been in the room along with a full wardrobe. I climbed under the covers and closed my eyes.

Take his money. Break his heart. Get even.