Page 23 of Sinful Like Us

Because it’s not all wrong.

I hang onto a fact: I’d rather take a million strangers critiquing me than have Janetake the unwarranted, toxic rage they shoot. Even when she’s used to this shit.

Banks swigs his beer. “Ever since you’ve switched details, you two really haven’t spent much time together in public.”

“I realize that.” I set down the water with accidental force, the glass clanking harshly.

“And that vacation next month to wherever Maximoff and Farrow pick, you won’t be with Jane then either.”

I give him a hard look, then survey the bar. “Try not to throw your back out pouring all that salt on me.”

He smiles and wipes moisture off his glass. He’s lost in thought and sips his beer with a contemplative stare.

I rest my back against the bar to face my brother. Concern grips my shoulders. “What is it?” He has something on his mind.

Banks licks beer off his lips. “I’m supposed to go on this trip and help protect Maximoff, and you’re supposed to stay behind and protect Xander.” His lip rises. “Switch places with me.”

I think I hear him wrong. I know my twin brother is like a strong wind. He can adapt to any fragged mission and fly through hellfire. But he can’t be suggestingthat.“Say again?”

“You get to spend more time with Jane and keep an eye on Tony, and I get to have some quality time with Xander.” He speaks hushed. “Just for the trip, you pretend to be me, and I’ll be you.”

He’s lost his damned mind. “No,” I say strictly. “Hellno.”

Banks lets out a short laugh. “You’re such a fucking gabbadost’.” He can call me ahardheadall he wants.

I’m just more rational about the optics of hisidea. “You’re acting like you’re suggesting we playpatty-cakeon Tuesday,” I say under my breath, arms woven tensely over my chest. “This is a big deal.”

“It’s just one week, Thatcher.” He stands off the stool so we can talk more quietly. “We tell the truth to who we trust. We’d just lie to whoever would snitch to the Alpha and Epsilon leads.”

Tony.

Any Epsilon bodyguards.

I can barely entertain this plan, for so many reasons. “I’d have to lie to Price and Sinclair again. After I just got buried by a lie.” All the honor that I had like a vessel to my heart was crushed under my actions.

I lied to my superiors. I became romantically involved with a client. I chose Jane.

“They won’t find out,” Banks says with so much assurance. “When has Tony ever been able to tell us apart?”

I take a long pause and then shake my head at myself, pissed that I’m even considering this for half a second. “Consequences aside, the fucking ethics of switching places, Banks, should be enough to sayno.”

He leans forward. “You just radioed in as me, Thatcher.”

“You know that’s not the same as impersonating each other for days.” My voice is severe, and the darker look my brother wears and the short nod says,I know.

I add, “You can act like we’re in some candy-coated twin movie and suddenly swap, but this is real.”

He puts a hand on my stiff shoulder. “But it’s not like you’re falling in love with someone pretending to be me, and I’m not kissing Jane pretending to beyou. Should we really feel that guilty foolingTony? That prick treats us like dogs, man, and I’m tired of Epsilon acting like he’s God’s greatest creation.”

What Banks says, I feel, but if we’re caught deceiving two leads, I’d be putting my brother in a broiler, and he’s my responsibility. I’m about to shake my head, but my phone rings.

Banks watches me slip it out, and I breathe in when I see her name on the screen.

Cell to my ear, I say, “Jane?”

“Thatcher. I just pulled up to the sports bar.” Her voice is higher pitched. Strained. “Can you meet me in the car?”

I’m already walking out the door.