Page 58 of Betrayed

“Things changed, and working with you would mean exposing your brother to this world.”

“Let me decide.”

“You’ve already done too much for me. Putting Gregory at risk—for my sake?” She shakes her head. “Not happening.”

“It’s not your choice.”

Defiant blue eyes challenge me. “It’s not yours.”

“The hell it isn’t!” I shout.

“You don’t get to decide for me,” she says.

“Yes,” I growl, “I do.”

We’re in a standoff for a moment, then she breaks. Her voice goes soft. “I thought I had it all figured out. I’d go with Bayne’s men. I’d be the bait. They’d do the rest. I didn’t know Rory would be there, too.”

“And now you have a hostage.”

“Two,” she snaps. “Aren’t you proud?”

I can’t help adding with a hiss, “And let me guess, that syringe of insulin you’ve been hiding in the fridge was supposed to do Caleb in.”

She flinches. “You knew about that?”

“I inspected every inch of this cabin when I arrived. That’s what I do. But did you really think about how close you would have to get to that man to stick a needle in him?” My anger boils over. “Seriously.”

“It was a stupid plan,” she says. “Me coming here in the first place was a stupid plan.”

“Stupid doesn’t begin to cover it, Erin.”

She throws her hands in the air with exasperation. “I know! I’m pathetic. I don’t want to be a never-do-nancy!”

“A what?”

“Never-do-nancy. Someone who says they’re going to do the right thing but then doesn’t. I was trying to do something and end this.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“It’s nothing,” she shakes her head. “What I’m trying to say is that I try to do the right thing, but instead, I make the wrong move at every turn. And you have to come galloping to save me,” she breathes, “I know.”

“You know what?”

“I know, I’ve been wrong every step of the way,” she says. “But dragging your brother into this? I couldn’t do that to you.” Her voice breaks almost enough to soften me.

Almost.

I cup her face in my hand. Her eyes meet mine. “I think you’re strong, and you’re brave. You did what you could. But now we’re in this together.”

“You, me, and now Gregory too,” she says. Her brow furrows. “Where is he anyway?”

My hands drop to her waist. I explain, “Gregory is where we are headed now: to a safe house protected by the Kings. It’s called Red Shutters and it’s on the border of England and Scotland.”

“Now?”

“Yes. We’re only stopping here long enough for you to change your clothes. And,” I add firmly, “Your attitude. You have to accept my help.”

“I will,” she says, but her words don’t convince me.