18. The Sacrificial Lamb
The Sacrificial Lamb
Braden
I need to punch something. Hard.
My first choice? That bitch Bitsy—but there’s no way I’m going to jail for her.
My fists clench and unclench at my sides as I stride down the hotel hallway toward the room.
I release a strangled growl as I fling open the door and grab my suitcase from the closet, tossing it on the bed.
The way she gloated about her “find.” The way she lorded it over me. How I was a terrible excuse for a man—and an even worse idea for Mina.
The worst part? I didn’t do a damn thing wrong.
Yes, I kissed the woman in the picture. In fact, I fooled around with her in my truck.
I. Was. A. Single. Guy.
This was weeks before Mina and I were anything but casual acquaintances, waving to one another as we passed by on our way to work.
But Bitsy had to dig into my past and find something— anything —to mark me as unfit.
I sink onto the bed, my head in my hands.
Poor Mina.
I’m not sure how much damage this reveal has caused, but hopefully my departure will ensure Mina stays in the running for the studio—where she belongs.
Where that leaves the two of us, I’ve no idea.
I toss my belongings into the suitcase, not caring what gets destroyed in the process.
After all, the most important thing is already dead in the water. Bitsy made sure of that.
But I’d do it all again—just to see Mina smile and know I played some small part in it.
Hopefully, her aunt takes pity on her—what with her sorry, cheating excuse of a fiancé—and gives her the keys to the kingdom.
But I doubt it.
Bitsy enjoys head games far too much for love to enter the equation.
And now that Leo’s hanging around like a goddamn prize pony, you can bet Bitsy will trot him out as the shiny alternative. He checks all her boxes—money, status, zero tattoos. Everything I’m not.
And maybe… maybe Mina will take the bait. Not because she wants him, but because she wants the studio.
I can’t blame her for that. Not really.
After all, she’s the only reason I’m here right now.
At least, until my heart crossed a line last night.
Now, I’m fucked.
The keypad beeps, and I glance up as Mina enters the room.
She walks to the bed, her steps tentative, her gaze never faltering from my face.
“Just give me five minutes and I’ll be out of here. I’m so sorry.”
Mina grasps my hands. “What are you sorry for? ”
I run a hand over my brow, releasing a noisy sigh. “For all of it. That she hates me, doesn’t approve of me with you, is making you play this ridiculous game when she knows damn well that you’re the best choice.”
Mina cups my cheeks, forcing me to meet her soft azure gaze. “I’ll ask again. What are you sorry for? Braden, you’ve been wonderful. Far better than I deserve.”
“That is not true. You deserve it all.”
I flop back on the bed, a small smile creeping onto my face when she curls up against me. “Better not let Bitsy catch you fraternizing with the enemy.”
“You’re never my enemy. You’re my hero. You took the fall to protect me.”
“Hardly a hero, Mina.”
“Will you stop arguing? You’re my hero and that’s final.”
Seriously, she is this nice. This caring. This… soft. How can anyone not love Mina?
“Fine. I’ll let you sing my praises.”
Mina giggles, burying her face against my chest. “How much time do you have?”
For her? Forever.
But I know Bitsy is waiting downstairs, and I’m not going another round with her this morning.
I run a hand along Mina’s spine as her silky hair spills over me, the faint scent of her rose shampoo wafting under my nose. “There’s no point in me sticking around, so I’m going to get out of here and head back to the farm.”
“Let’s go.”
“You need to stay. Bitsy has a plan for you, beautiful. One without any tattooed heathens.”
She sits up, peering down at me. “I happen to really like this tattooed heathen.”
God, I really like her, too. In fact, I think I might love her, but there’s no way I’m saying that and muddying this situation further .
“Maybe we could’ve avoided all this if I hadn’t made out with you on the dance floor last night. But… I just couldn’t hold back any longer. I knew it would piss her off, and damn it, I was right.”
Mina sighs, playing with the zipper on my suitcase. “She would’ve found a different reason. This is exactly what she did to my mom and dad. Why is she like this?”
“Because the world has never told Bitsy Farnsworth no. Hell, for all I know, the world’s never really loved her either—just coddled her.” I close the suitcase and motion toward the door. “You’d better get down there before she comes looking for you.”
“I told her I’m leaving.”
My heart swells at her sacrifice, but I know it’s a foolish idea—another nail in the coffin of Mina’s studio dreams. “I don’t want you to do that for me, even if it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You did it for me.”
“That’s different.”
She plants her hands on her hips. “How? We protect each other, right? Isn’t that how it works?”
“What is she going to say when she learns you and I are still talking?”
Mina shrugs and places her suitcase next to mine. “No idea. But I realized today she doesn’t care about me. If she did, she would have pulled us aside to discuss those pictures—not held a public execution.”
“She wanted to embarrass me. Sad to say, but it worked.” I pause, pulling Mina to me. “You need to know something. Those photos were from way before you and I got together.”
Mina nods, pursing her lips. “I know. Didn’t enjoy seeing you kiss another woman, but I realize it was before me.”
“I didn’t like you seeing it either.” I brush a strand of hair from her face, her skin warm beneath my palm. “And trust me, the only woman I want to kiss is you. ”
A smile breaks across her face. “Promise?”
Damn it, the woman really is sunshine. “Yeah. Promise.”
Mina ducks under my arm and rushes to the closet, grabbing an armful of clothes. “Give me five minutes to pack.”
But despite her decision, I’m still waffling. I know the stakes. And now I know how cutthroat her aunt can be.
It’s one thing for Bitsy to take aim at me, but what happens if she turns on Mina?
“Are you sure?”
“Stop asking—I’ve told you three times already. Come on, let’s do something fun. Something completely not wedding-related.”
“Like what?”
Mina holds up a scrap of cloth that I can only assume is a bikini. “Let’s go swimming. I packed my suit.”
Jesus. This woman is going to ruin me. And I’m going to let her.
In fact, I’m hard just imagining it.
“Uh… where’s the rest of it?” I smirk, inspecting the string bikini.
Mina snatches it from my hands. “Fine. You don’t like my bikini? I have a different idea.”
“What’s that?”
She zips her suitcase closed and winks. “I won’t wear it at the hot springs.”
My jaw slackens at her intimation. “Meaning?”
Mina leans over, giving me a lingering kiss. “Meaning you’ll have to find out. I’ve heard skinny-dipping is way more fun.”
“You think I’m letting you skinny dip alone?”
“No. I don’t. Which is why you’ll be joining me.”
That sounds like the best damn way to spend the afternoon—me, Mina, warm water, and nothing between us.
But the worries linger in my brain, simmering like soup left on the burner too long .
And I have to ask—give her one final out before I allow myself to fall completely in love with her. “Mina?”
She turns, a curious expression on her face. “What?”
“Are you certain leaving is the best idea for you? Your aunt loves Leo, and?—”
“Yeah, well, I don’t.” Mina grabs her purse and extends her hand to me. “Someone else is in the running for that.”
And at that moment, I believe her. Every word.
Just like that, I know—my heart’s already hers.
The next two weeks are quiet. Too quiet.
I’ve asked Mina a few times about Bitsy, but she just waves it off, totally nonchalant about the whole thing.
And for some reason, that’s not sitting right with me. Mainly because I worry I messed up her chance of owning the dance studio—even if her aunt is a deranged harpy.
It’s like having a client who wants a tattoo—say, a bird of prey. You sketch it out and they love it, but when you lay down the ink, it doesn’t look right.
Doesn’t suit them. It’s not that the technique is off or that it’s not a solid piece. It just doesn’t fit.
That’s how it is with me and Mina’s aunt. She couldn’t care less that I’m a good guy with the best intentions for Mina. I don’t fit in their world.
And if Mina takes over her studio, I’m not sure I’ll ever have a place.
This is a tight spot for me because, despite knowing how judgmental people can be, I’ve never really been on the receiving end of that backlash.
Maybe it’s because I’m not flashy despite my ink and motorcycle, and when people sit down and talk with me, they realize my personality is far more important than my fashion choices.
So what if I prefer boots and jeans to khakis? Doesn’t make me less of a person. Sadly, Mina’s aunt doesn’t see it that way. Neither does her cousin. Or Leo.
Yep, he’s another one. He hasn’t said or done anything specific, but I know why he was at the resort that weekend—as a foil to Mina and me.
And I can’t help but wonder if Mina has truly removed them from her life or if she’s just choosing not to tell me about it.
But despite the uncertainty in that area, everything else is perfect. Mina and I have spent a glorious two weeks together.
One thing I know is I’m falling hard and fast for the tall blonde, and unless my radar is way off, the feeling is mutual.
No, I haven’t told her I love her. Hell, we haven’t even discussed our relationship status, although I know she’s not seeing anyone else. Neither am I.
Unlike my brother in his pre-Ori days, I never sought the company of several women at a clip. Not my style. And now, I don’t have to, because I have a gorgeous ballerina waiting for me at home.
I just wish I could regain control of the Bitsy situation.
Then it hits me—I know exactly how to dismantle her leverage.