Her heart ached. She had no right to include herself in that group. Not after the lies she’d told and the game she’d played.
His distraction was evident on his face as he nodded and started moving towards the house.
“Yes, I have to…” Ryker halted, a groan escaping him that could have leveled cities. “Damn it. I can’t leave you…”
Alone.
He didn’t say the last word, but it echoed through the forest like he’d screamed it.
Because Brynleigh was untrustworthy.
Just like that, any warmth they’d cultivated earlier was gone.
Wrapping her arms around herself, Brynleigh shook her head and strode past Ryker up the steps.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come with you and won’t cause any problems.” Her voice was miraculously steady.
“You can’t talk to my sister,” Ryker said sharply.
Brynleigh turned and blinked.
“You and I are…” He gestured between them, as if that made any sense, and groaned again. “But River is young. I don’t want you interacting with her.” Because Brynleigh was dangerous. “Promise me that you’ll stay away from her. I have to protect her.”
Protect her.
His words echoed through Brynleigh’s mind, and she flinched, unable to stop herself from reacting.
That was how hesaw her—a threat.
Fucking ironic.
She wasn’t the only dangerous one here.
Not only was Ryker a force to be reckoned with, but he conveniently seemed to be forgetting that his sister had killed Brynleigh’s family.
Did he not realize that Brynleigh could’ve killed River the moment she learned the truth about Chavin? That she’d already been merciful and spared his sister even though she had admitted to murdering an entire village?
Brynleigh wished Ryker’s words didn’t hurt. She wished they could return to almost kissing. But she couldn’t turn back the hands of time any more than she could heal their relationship.
“I understand.” This time, her voice was ice. “After all, I’m just an asset, right?”
He sighed. “No, Brynleigh. It’s not that simple.”
Except it seemed it was. She was an asset, he didn’t trust her, and they were both hurting.
Gods damn it, where was her box of emotions when she needed it?
Pulling on strength she didn’t know she possessed, Brynleigh rebuilt those walls around her heart.
“Don’t worry, I get it. I’ll stay out of your way, and tomorrow night, I’ll update Jelisette. While I’m there, I’ll uphold my end of the deal and look for the information you need.”
Keeping Ryker out was easier than letting him in to hurt her again. She’d rather throw away the warmth she’d been feeling earlier than admit that him choosing his family over her was painful.
Ryker’s mouth pinched, and for a moment, it looked like he was going to argue, but he didn’t. Instead, he unlocked the door.
Brynleigh inched past, careful not to touch him again.
“Pack a bag and get in the car,” the captain instructed. “I don’t know how long we’ll be at Waterborn House.”