Fast Burn (Body Armor #4)(78)

Huh. She’d certainly turned that one around on him. “You’re determined to get yourself killed, aren’t you?”

Sahara snorted. “You keep thinking I’m an idiot when I’m not. I know how to make good decisions, and I will, but I don’t need you or my brother dictating to me about when and where I go or what I can do.”

So it wasn’t just him she’d defy, but Scott, too?

A little floored, Brand stared at her. That wasn’t at all what he’d expected. Sure, he knew Sahara defined independence, but he’d somehow gotten the impression she worshiped her brother and fell into line over his every request. “I would’ve bet money you did whatever big brother told you to.”

She sent him a mocking smile. “Be glad that I don’t, because if you read the text again, you’ll see that he also ordered me to trust no one.” She swept out a hand. “But I trust everyone here today, you most of all.”

Her statement proved a balm, helping him to calm his anger. Suddenly he felt like an ass for his reaction over Becky. “If you mean that, then—”

She interrupted to say, “In return, you have to trust me to know what I’m doing.” Caution crept into her expression. “That is, unless you’re so mad about that business with your mother that our relationship is ready to crash and burn.”

Oh no, he wouldn’t leave her safety to anyone else. “You’re stuck with me for now.”

She scowled. “How long is ‘for now’?”

Did she have to challenge him at every turn? Running a hand over his face, Brand knew he needed reinforcements, so he turned to the group.

“No,” Sahara hissed, already guessing what he’d do.

As if he hadn’t heard her protest, he called out, “Sahara got another text.”

Heads lifted, frowns fell into place and as one, the small group started toward them.

Sahara shot him an accusing frown. “That was a dirty trick.”

Brand cocked a brow. “You want to complain to me when you’ve been sneaking behind my back with my mother?”

“Well...” She relented. “Not if you put it like that.”

“There’s no other way to put it.” She briefly closed her eyes, and Brand didn’t know if it was from remorse or pain in her head. He’d feel a lot better about things if she would have agreed to go to the hospital. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“Thanks for nothing.”

Now she was pissed? Well, misery loved company, Brand told himself. Eventually, they’d work it all out.

When Leese and the others reached them, Brand stepped back and watched the confusion, fury and insistence unfold.

Odds were, the guys wouldn’t be able to curb her recklessness—but the women might.

He was counting on it.

*

HOURS LATER, A little sunburned but in better control of his temper, Brand let them into the suite. They’d gotten home without incident, but then, they’d formed a small caravan, with Justice and Fallon in the lead, Sahara and him in the middle, and Leese and Catalina in the rear. Everyone had been alert, wary of another attack, especially on the country roads.

Once they’d reached the highway, they’d all relaxed a bit while still remaining vigilant.

The others had followed them right up to the parking lot of the Body Armor agency, then waited until he and Sahara got in the door.

For her part, Sahara was subdued, which in itself was alarming since subdued wasn’t a word normally used to describe her. He couldn’t tell if she was angry, worried or if maybe her head hurt.

She’d been through so much in such a short time, and still didn’t crumble. Under the circumstances, losing some of her sparkle was understandable.

“I’m going to take a shower,” she said on her way past him.

Brand gently caught her elbow. She paused, but didn’t face him.

“Hey. Are you okay?” He drew her around, and with two fingers lifted her chin so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Does your head hurt?”

She gave a brief, restrained smile. “Not really.”

He coasted his fingertips along her delicate jaw. “Is there anything I can get you?”

For a second, she looked devastated, then she stepped against him, her arms around him and her head on his chest. Voice muffled against him, she asked, “Are you still mad at me?”

Never would Brand believe that it was his anger alone that had her so submissive. In most instances, Sahara would just fight back, not retreat. “My relationship with my mother is complicated.”

“That’s a nonanswer.” She leaned back to see him again. “And like I already told you, my relationship with Scott is also complicated. Lately it seems my entire life is complicated. What if I wanted you to stay out of it?”

It struck him that her feelings were hurt. “You feel like I’ve cut you out?”

Disgusted, she shoved away and gave him her back, her arms hugged around her. “How can you cut me out when you’ve never let me in?”

“Now wait a minute.” She was twisting everything around. “We’re talking about you, not me.”

“Always, I know.” She looked over her shoulder. “I had to twist your arm to take me along to meet your parents and Becky.”