Page 175 of Tangled Like Us

I should’ve just let it out in the costume shop earlier. Before Charlie’s phone call cut us off. Or in the car afterwards. It’s on me.

A million times, I missed the chance. I fucked it, and nowTonydropped this before I could.

Jane tips her head, thinking rapidly. Her brows bunched. Maximoff and Farrow exchange confusion.

Mostly, I watch her. “Jane—”

“None of you knew about Skylar?” Tony realizes, looking between the three of them. He lets out a light laugh.

“That’s funny?” I ask, voice strict.

He laughs more. “It’s notnotfunny.”

“Vaffangul’.”Fuck you.I grip my knee to keep from standing. Do not harm another bodyguard. Do not fight while on-duty. Protect your client.

Protect her.

He motions to Jane. “She’s your girlfriend and you didn’t tell her about your own brother—”

I shoot to my feet. Towering over him. Staring down. Blood rushes in my ears. Rage annihilating my senses. Until I’m hyper-focused on this shitbag.

My anger.

His face.

He spreads his arms, goading me to hit him. “I just did you a fucking favor. It’s not my fault you couldn’t man-up and say what needs to be sa—”

I have Tony by the collar. I’m five seconds from slamming his entire body into the fucking ground. Farrow is quick.

He’s already climbed over the table onto my side. He wedges himself between us and rotates to Tony. “Man, I’m sick of listening to you. Walk the fuck away.”

I pull back and I get my mind right almost instantly. Sensing her close.

I turn.

She’s standing. I assess her in one sweep. Chunky heels, a ruffled purple tutu, and a frilly blouse—she has her hand in her purse. Where her pepper spray and switchblade are contained, ready to defend me. She lets go when our eyes meet. “Thatcher.”

Nothing else matters to me right now but this girl. “Jane,” I say strongly. I come closer, my hand on her lower back. I soften my gaze on her. “You good?”

“Yes, are you?”

I nod. “Can you be Oscar Mike in five?” We need to move out.

I notice the bingo caller headed over to us. We’ve disturbed the whole event, and beyond that, Maximoff is a hothead and if Tony tries to fuck with Farrow, which I’m pretty positive he will try—Maximoff is going to throw a fist.

He’s the client here.

His life. Her life.

That’s what we’re protecting.

Jane adjusts her purse over her shoulder. “I’m ready now.”

Tony sizes Farrow up. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Epsilon—”

“Farrow,” I call. “We’re shoving off.” I click my radio, not taking one of my hands off her. “Thatcher to security, Jane and Maximoff are Oscar Mike in five.”

Farrow steps back over the table and drops down next to Maximoff, taking his hand.