Wicked Ties(143)

felt broken, unable to sleep, eat…breathe. Wondering how the hell she was supposed to

go on with this pain.

“You’re thinking too hard. I can almost feel the headache you’re giving yourself.”

She leveled a reproving stare at him. “As opposed to you men, who think of

absolutely nothing but your little vendettas and your dicks?”

To his credit, he didn’t wince. “Yes, I knew about Jack’s plan. But I think it stopped

being about revenge for him very quickly.”

“Don’t make his case for him. I don’t want to hear it.” Deke’s words only confused

her, made her hope. She was going to see Jack for answers. Period. If she didn’t get the

answers she wanted, she’d go on with life—alone. Somehow. Not that she expected Jack

to be able to convince her of his undying love.

Honestly, how could such a bond form in mere days, when everything around them

had been all danger and lies? Impossible, right?

So logical…except for the fact she’d fallen totally for Jack during their time together.

And unlike anything she’d felt for any man previously in her life, this felt strong,

unbreakable.

Permanent.

Damn.

Deke blew through a yellow light on the outskirts of Houston, then pulled into the

parking lot of an extended-stay hotel built like little condos with fresh paint and freshly

planted flowers. “You need to pick up your gear before heading out?” she asked.

“Not exactly.”

Deke parked, then turned to face her. “Jack intended to drive the copy of Brandon’s

incriminating video straight to him. I ended up driving, since I didn’t think Jack and Jack

made a good team on the roads.”

“Jack and Jack?”

“Jack Cole full of Jack Daniel’s.”

“So he’s here?” she asked, her heartbeat suddenly zooming like a woman about to fall

from a cliff.

Deke nodded.

“He came all the way to Houston to deliver the video and sent you to do it because he

was too drunk? The son of a bitch chose to cozy up to a bottle, rather than possibly

getting close to me?”

“No. When we got here, we did a little recon. When he realized you were staying with

Brandon, he wouldn’t go. He refused to bother you.”

Of all the crazy, asinine notions…

Before Deke could say more, Jack opened the door of the room in front of him,

gorgeously shirtless, dark hair disheveled. Sunlight glared in his face. He squinted and

glared toward the Hummer.

“Did you deliver the damn video?” Jack shouted, trying to shield his eyes from the

sun.

“Hmm. He’s not slurring anymore,” Deke commented.

“Maybe he’s actually semi-sober.”

“This is ridiculous. Why am I here expecting answers from a drunk man who only

pursued me so he could get back at someone else and get his rocks off at the same time?

Take me back to Brandon’s.”

“Not yet. Ten minutes. Just give him that much.” Morgan said nothing.

“If you don’t, I’ll have to start pleading again.” She shot him a stare that should have

told him that she was totally unmoved. But, as usual, Deke ignored her.

“I’ll give you extra whine if you don’t cave in…” “Ugh! Fine. Ten minutes, then you’re

taking me back or I’m calling a taxi. And a hit man to finish off both of you. Pricks!”

“That’s a girl.” He planted a smacking kiss her on the cheek, then flashed her a million-

watt smile.

Morgan just rolled her eyes. “Let’s get this over with.” “I’ll come around to get you,

but hang tight for just a minute. I don’t think he can see you with the sun in his face

and these tinted windows. And I want you to hear something.” Deke climbed down from

the Hummer, then called to Jack, “Yep, it’s delivered.”

“You bring me a new bottle?”

“I brought you something else. Don’t you want to know that I saw Morgan?”

“So she was there.” He blew out a breath. Then he swallowed, jaw tensing. “How was

she?”

“In better shape than you since she wasn’t somewhere between drunk and hung

over.”

“Her shoulder?”

“Getting better. She was up and walking around. She looked good.”

Jack nodded. A simple gesture…but the frown on his face tore at Morgan. Brows

furrowed, eyes closed, jaw tight, he looked so damn sad. Regretful. Destroyed.

The sight took her aback, ripped at her heart. He actually…cared? That’s what it

looked like. He couldn’t see her, had no reason to act something he wasn’t or didn’t feel.