Page 12 of Sinner’s Game

He pauses, looking me up and down, his gaze so appraising I actually blush.

“What?” I demand.

His smile is slow and easy. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing, Brandy Bradshaw.”

I squeeze his hand. “If I haven’t told you lately, I really do love you.”

“Yeah?” he quips. “Then why are you lusting after Ronan?”

“Jerk.”

He chuckles as we continue on, now only one block away from Pacific Property. “Do you still need help getting your booth together? You know I’m cheap labor and—”

“What?” I ask, stopping beside him.

“Nothing. Just remembered something at work.” He starts moving again. “Let’s just keep walking. We don’t want you to be late.”

“There is no late. I’m just going there to meet Ellie. Lamar, slow down.” I’m practically jogging to keep up with him. “What’s the big hurry?”

But he doesn’t have to answer. I see it all on my own, and I stop dead, Jake tugging at his leash.

Ronan.

He’s in the shadow of an alley across the street, his back to me, but easy enough to recognize. He’s standing in front of a woman with flowing auburn hair. He’s caging her in, his hand against the brick of the building wall. I’m seeing him mostly from behind, but I can see part of the side of his face. He looks serious, and cozy, and his face is very close to hers.

“Brandy. Let’s just go.”

“Is he ... Who is that? Is he dating someone?” I try to sound casual, but I feel anything but. As much as I might say I don’t want a relationship—as much as I swear that I certainly don’t want Ronan—apparently that’s all a big, fat lie.

I look up at Lamar, my head spinning as I try to put this all together. “We’re friends. Why would I not know if he was seeing someone?”

Lamar looks like a kid who just lost his puppy. “Sweetie, I don’t think he’s seeing her.”

“What do you mean?”

I watch as he draws in a breath, then I glance back at Ronan again.

I snap my attention back to Lamar; I don’t want to see Ronan with that woman. “Lamar,” I urge. “What’s going on?”

“Brandy, honey, I know her. I’ve arrested her twice.”

Slowly, I shake my head. I have no idea what he’s talking about.

“She’s a call girl, Bran. High class, sure, but Jacey Kane’s a prostitute.”

Chapter Five

“A call girl?” I repeat, forcing myself not to tug away from Lamar’s arm so that I can look back at the woman in question.

But Lamar keeps with the forward motion, and that’s fine. Because, honestly, I don’t want to see that, anyway. No thank you very much.

Except now I’m wondering if Ronan saw us as we passed by. And if so, what on earth will I say when I see him next?

Nothing. It’s none of my business.

“You okay?”

“Me? This has nothing to do with me. But I do need to hurry. Ellie, then the beach. And you have your date.”