Tricked and Traded by McQueen Darcie

Author:McQueen, Darcie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

18

When Olivia woke, she didn’t move, didn’t open her eyes, and tried to keep her breathing even. She didn’t want to wake Evan, didn’t want to do anything that would cause him to move away from her. If she remained still, maybe he would sleep longer and she could savor everything about waking up in a man’s arms, feeling safe and valued.

Years—it had been years since she’d felt this, not since the last time Brody slept beside her.

Memories claimed her mind, the nights she’d slept in her car, praying that no one got too close, that she’d survive another night alone. Then the nights in her apartment over a garage, when she’d ached to be held, when she’d wrapped her own arms around herself as best she could as she cried herself to sleep.

This moment, the chance to feel connected to a man she trusted, somehow made everything worth enduring. Maybe even the sex toy kitchen island experience. She couldn’t help smiling at that thought, but kept the rest of her body still.

“Well, don’t you look pleased with yourself,” Brody said under his breath.

Olivia opened her eyes and turned her head toward where Brody sat in the chair by the bed, scowling as usual. “Good morning,” she said softly.

“You managed to sink your claws into Evan. I admit it; I totally didn’t see that coming. But then you are clearly a pro at this.”

“At what?”

“Using people.”

Olivia flinched. “That’s what you really think?”

“That’s what I know. I just didn’t think that Evan was foolish enough to fall for it… to fall for your bullshit.”

“He hasn’t fallen for me. You put him in charge of making sure that I’m okay. Did you really think that he wouldn’t do exactly that?”

Brody chuckled. “You think he’s your hero, don’t you? Women are such idiots. The guy is kind to you and you make all sorts of assumptions about his caring soul, his decency. Let me tell you something—Evan is a killer. He’s a torturer. You want to know how he knows so much about what can damage a human body? Well, he should. He’s done all of that and worse to men, women, probably children in a war zone. And you think you’re safe wrapped up in his arms.”

Olivia felt the moment that Evan woke, but she didn’t let on, waiting to see whether he would say anything. He didn’t, so she did.

“I don’t really care what Evan has done. I only care that I feel safe with him near and I know that he will protect me if you or anyone else threaten my safety. Brody, I’m here. I’m living up to my end of this stupid arrangement, but I don’t want to die for you or anyone else, especially when I have no idea what you think I did to you. But whatever you think that is, I know I don’t deserve any of this.

“But then, you have the Judge on your side, right? You’ve never spent one day of your life without family, friends, wealth, opportunity, and a brutal, vindictive grandfather.

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