Page 98 of Creed

“Of course they are. You’d feel it if they weren’t.” She gave me a wink. “I’d feel it, too.”

She sounded pretty sure of herself, so I leaned back and closed my eyes. I thought about Shep going into the house and finding the footage of my argument with Brian. I won’t deny that he’d caught me off-guard. It was late, and Chrissy and I were winding down for the night. When I heard the knock at the door, I thought it was Austin.

I figured he’d forgotten his game or decided that he’d rather stay the night at home. I was looking forward to teasing him about it, and I was smiling, almost laughing, when I opened the door. That smile immediately disappeared when I discoveredthat it was Brian standing on my front step, and I could tell by his fierce expression that he hadn’t come by for a cordial visit.

"What do you want, Brian?”

“What the hell were you thinking?”

“I might be able to answer if I knew what you were talking about.”

He stepped closer, and I could smell the cheap liquor and stale cologne. “I know you’ve been asking questions about my investigation with those Fury assholes.”

Damn.

One of my friends wasn’t as close as I thought.

I did my best to sound unbothered as I replied, “I might’ve asked around a little. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Ah, she’s worried about her little boy toy.”

“You’ve been drinking!”

“Yeah, and you’ve been talking to my crew behind my back!”

“I wanted to know the truth about what is going on.”

“I told you the truth. He’s a criminal, and you had the nerve to bring him around my kids.”

“They’re our kids,” I corrected. “And you know nothing about Jameson or any of those men in that club. You’re just doing everything you can to force your agenda.”

“You think you’re so smart.” His eyes were full of hate and rage as he snarled, “You best be careful or you’ll end up losing everything.”

I took a step forward. I was done letting him scare me.

“You’re the one who should be careful, Brian.”

“And why’s that?” he scoffed.

“Because I know,” I said quietly, watching the way the color drained from his face.

“You know what?”

“Everything.” I kept my eyes trained on his as I told him, “A part of me always knew you weren’t the man you pretended to be, but I never expected this.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I didn’t answer.

I just tilted my head and glared at him with a knowing look.

“What the hell do you know?”

Again, I remained silent.

Before I realized what he was doing, his hand flew out, and he struck me across the cheek. The pain shot through me, but I didn’t stumble. I didn’t cry. I stood there with my cheek burning and heart pounding. I looked him dead in the eye as I whispered, “You’re going to regret that.”

“Tell me!”