Page 254 of The Bluffing Game

“Sage.”

A deep voice sounds behind me, and I look back nervously, worried that it’s Parker. But instead, I see Brett. He looks uncomfortable as he stands there, and I try not to roll my eyes. He’s the absolute last person I want to see.

“What’s up, Brett?” I say, and he steps toward me stiffly. “Did Dalton send you to find me?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I don’t even think Dalton knows I’m here.” He looks at me. “Apparently, you found out the truth?”

“Apparently,” I say. “Thanks for telling me it was some rando man with a family and kids.”

“Jimmy thought it would be smarter. I didn’t want to lie. I actually hated it. I found it very hard. I wanted to apologize to you because I don’t like that I did that.”

“Why are you so fucking stiff, Brett?” I see him recoil slightly. “Like, what is your actual fucking problem? You act like a fucking robot. You’re not in the fucking military anymore.”

He stares at me and nods slowly. “I think as a civilian, it’s hard for you to understand where I’m coming from, and I don’t blame you, but …”

“You sound like a robot. What is your problem?”

“I’m not a robot.” He shakes his head. “I just like to separate and compartmentalize my life. There’s business, and then there’s the personal, and you’re part of business.”

“I am?”

“I work for Dalton, and anything concerning him is business.”

“Okay, so that’s why you treat Rosie like she doesn’t exist, but still watch her with your eyes? Because she’s business too.”

“She’s not business,” he says and presses his lips together. “Anyway, I’m not here to talk about your sister.”

“So, what are you here to talk about?”

“I’m going out of town, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I just wanted to offer my services if you were to need anything.”

“I don’t need anything from you.” I pause. Because actually, there are two things I need from him. I just don’t know whether or not I should ask him.

“I can tell you want to say something. Anything you say right now, if you want to keep it between us, I will do that.”

“But Dalton is your boss.”

“He is, but I think I owe you one.”

He gives me a half-smile for the first time in my life. I realize that he’s handsome. I see what Rosie sees in him, but I’m not going to tell him that.

“I want to take down Parker,” I say.

“And I’m working on that. Dalton and I⁠—”

“I know.” I stare at him. “I want to be a part of this. I want to ensure he knows that I am the reason he goes to jail.”

Brett nods. “I have some videos,” he says, “and some files that will ensure he gets locked up for a really long time. If you want, you can come with me to the police station, file a report, tell them what happened to you. That way, they’ll add your case to the list of things against him.”

“I definitely want to do that. Is there a reason why this wasn’t going to court in the first place?”

“Dalton thought it might make you unhappy to have to go to court or to prison.”

“To prison? Why would I go to prison?” I frown and take a couple of breaths.

He shrugs. “It could get messy with Parker. He has a lot of contacts, and Dalton was only trying to protect you too.”

I sigh. “I don’t really understand, but I don’t need protecting, Brett. I am the protector. That’s why I told Rosie to stop flirting with you. That’s why I told her to leave you alone, so you’re welcome.”