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“You were falling apart in the car. I couldn’t bring you into the hotel like that. It would’ve raised all kinds of alarm bells. So I distracted you. You’ve been thoroughly pissed off at me since I tossed your phone out the window. Much better than the alternative.”

My jaw worked while I scowled at him. “You were playing me?”

Brandon tipped his head. “I prefer to label itpreventing a panic attack.”

“I wasn’t going to have a panic attack.” I’d lost my shit, sure. Perhaps there’d been some hyperventilating and shaking. Okay, fine. I had been freaking out. It didn’t mean I’d agree with him. “I don’t like being manipulated.”

“Noted.”

I turned to face the door, livid with Brandon and annoyed with myself for falling for his twisted diversion.

“And Sage?”

I grunted.

“No teeth, please.”