Page 12 of The Temptation of Truth

She doesn’t bother denying it.

Just as we’re getting to the boarding stairs, a car rolls up beside the SUVs and parks. It’s Hammond, and Brynn slows her steps, her shoulders tensing.

“Think that’s my new tutor?”

I can hear the nerves in her voice. “Yeah. You want to go say hi?”

She turns back to the jet quickly. “No, not yet.”

“I heard she’s nice, Boss. Sav says she’s kind of quiet, though, so you might have to protect her from Ezra.”

That perks her up, and she nods curtly. “You’re probably right. Because those boys simply cannot be trusted.”

“Speak the truth, girl.”

I follow her up the stairs, then look at the car once more. Hammond is opening the door to the back seat, and I watch just long enough to see two feet in white ballet flats hit the tarmac, blue gingham fabric brushing mid-shin. A dress, I’m guessing. Before the tutor stands, I turn back around and step into the cabin.

White ballet flats and a blue gingham dress. Very Dorothy of Oz. I laugh and shake my head. I sure hope this girl has attitude. Otherwise, those Caveat boys will descend like winged monkeys.

Poor thing.

She’s going to need all the help she can get.

3

AURORA

I standand stare at the two private jets looming intimidatingly before me.

Excitement and anxiety have been warring for control in my chest, but right now, anxiety is winning. Not for the first time since this whole thing started, I question my decision to come. Going on an international tour on a private jet with arguably the most famous rock band in the world? It was not, and has never been, on my bucket list.

I almost want to laugh. I’m without a doubt theleastrock and roll person on this airfield. Even Uncle Wade is more rock and roll than me, and he doesn’t wear anything except dress slacks and button-downs. I’ve never seen him in a pair of jeans. Ever. I’ll probably stick out like a sore thumb the minute I set foot on that jet.

I tighten my grip on the planter in my arms and shift my weight in my ballet flats. It took nearly half an hour of scrubbing to get the dirt and grass stains from underneath my fingernails. I definitely should have worn something less...Well, lessthis. One look at me and it’s obvious that I do not belong here.

I resist the urge to tug on the skirt of my dress as the last conversation I had with Brady swirls around in my head. At first, it didn’t go well. The argument was heated. I cried. It was so bad that he slept on the couch for three whole nights. That alone was enough to make me want to walk it all back. I haven’t slept without him in a long time, and everything about it left me feeling cold and lonely.

Days later, though, he hugged me and told me that he was sorry. He said I was right. I’d given up everything for him to follow his dreams, and it would be unfair to make me pass up this opportunity right now. The concession, the apology, had me soaring, but then his reasoning sent me right back down to Earth. I should do it now because after we have a family and he’s promoted to partner, the opportunity will be gone.

He didn’t say the quiet part, but he didn’t have to. I heard it.

This is mylast chanceto travel. Mylast chanceto use my degree. Mylast chanceto have something that’sjust mine. To do somethingfor me. After this, it’s back to the pretty life he’s planned for us, and the fact that scares me—makes me want to run away and never look back—fills me with guilt.

He loves me. I love him. I’m happy.

“I should go back,” I say under my breath, and I can feel my uncle’s eyes on me. “I think this was a mistake.”

“Is thatyoutalking, or is it fear?”

I glance at him. “Aren’t they one and the same?”

“I don’t think so. At least not the Aurora I know. The Aurora I know would be sprinting up those stairs with a smile on her face.”

My eyebrows slant behind my sunglasses, and I look back at the jet. “That Aurora was young and fearless and naïve.”

My uncle sighs, but I hear the smile in his voice when he replies.

“You’re still young and fearless, Roar.”