“You’ve done enough. I’m in town for at least another two weeks. I’d appreciate it if you left me the hell alone. Tell your other brothers in on this deception to do the same.” She turned and headed up the stairs, not looking back.
His half truths and omissions had pushed the woman of his dreams out of his reach.
Fuck!
Chapter Five
Jessie looked at her cell. No calls. She’d left several messages for Michael, but he hadn’t called back. She needed someone to talk to, and he was the only one she could trust. It had been twelve hours since she’d left her room and told Dallas to shove off. A few hours later, the three liars had shown up at her door and pounded like maniacs. She’d called the front desk and talked to Maude. Jessie heard her in the hallway, telling them to get lost or
she would call the sheriff. Their aunt then told them something about screwing up their chance. Then nothing. Not a knock or phone call.
Sure, it made sense that they hadn’t told her immediately about their family’s odd arrangement and that they were interested in making her the shared bride. But when exactly were they going to drop the bomb? And what about Austin? There was no way she could go there. Not with him.
She needed a distraction to take her mind off of her aching heart. After reading fifty e-mails from DC, she shut her laptop. She thought about going to the Horseshoe, but that would only remind her of her first night with the Wilde brothers. She didn’t have an appetite, so Norma’s was out. What about the local casino? That might do the trick. She dressed and headed down the stairs. A few hands of blackjack and some free drinks would suit her just fine.
When she got to the lobby, her heart sunk.
Damn it.
Dallas stood by the front desk like some kind of sentry. “Jessie, talk to me.”
“I’ve already said what I wanted to say.” She headed for the door, glaring at him to dare try to stop her.
“Where are you going?” He stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
“None of your business, cowboy. Get out of my way, please.”
Disappointment filled his eyes. “There’s something you need to know.”
“Really? More lies.”
“No.” His stare was intense and repentant. “I’m done lying to you.”
She believed him, but it wasn’t enough to soften her heart. “Good for you, but it’s too late.” Even with the dose of anger that pulsed hot inside Jessie, she couldn’t believe her time with the brothers was over. But it had to be. She couldn’t give them any more chances even as much as she really wanted to.
“I deserve that.”
“That and more.”
“I agree. Anyway, you remember the day your brakes went out on Suicide Hill?”
“Of course.”
“Someone cut your brake lines. It wasn’t an accident.”
Her jaw dropped. “How do you know that?”
“We took your rental to a mechanic. It was obvious.”
Her heart raced and fear revved up her pulse. “Who would want to do that?”
“You’ve got an enemy in Wilde. There’s at least a dozen or more that come to mind.”
“Whatever. This is too much.” Her hands trembled. “How many lies are you going to tell me?”
“I told you, I’m done with lies.” He reached for her, but she stepped back.
“No, Dallas. Don’t.”