Humor twitches the corners of Bent’s mouth.
“For assaulting a legacy,” Bent says with a chuckle. “He came back that night and knocked two of Prescott’s teeth out.”
A startled laugh pops from my mouth.
“Why would he do that?”
The humor drains from Bent’s face, and he takes my hands between his, squeezing.
“He was crazy about you, Banner.”
Shock and disbelief wrestle inside me. My heart beats louder in my ears than the propellers of the waiting helicopter chopping through the air.
“No, he—”
“Yes,” Bent cuts in, his stare unwavering. “He was. I promise you.”
I brave a glance at Jared, still waiting, hair blown into an unruly mess by the propellers. He slides a questioning look from me to Bent and then cocks his head toward the helicopter, indicating we need to go.
“Um, thanks for telling me, Bent,” I say, turning to go. He catches my elbow again.
“Apology accepted?” he asks with a half-smile.
“Of course.” I manage a smile back, but I’m still stunned by his revelation. Could it have been true? Real? Could that night have been real to Jared? It’s dangerous to think so.
I jog the rest of the way to the helicopter, and Jared helps me up the two steps and inside. I’ve barely settled in and buckled my seat belt when Jared hands me a headset.
“Put it on,” he says. I can barely hear him, but can read his lips and slip the headset on. “What did Bent say to you?”
“It was a private conversation,” I say, stalling. I turn to the window, not even seeing the jewel-toned waters or the majestic cliffs.
“I’ll just ask him,” he says over the headset.
No response from me.
“He’ll tell me,” Jared continues. He reaches around to grasp my chin gently and turns my face to his. “But I’d rather hear it from you.”
His thumb is rough against my face, but the caress, his touch, brushing back and forth over my skin, is soft.
“He said you weren’t in on what happened that night,” I say haltingly, tugging my chin free. “He said you weren’t a member of The Pride.”
“I told you that.”
“I didn’t believe you.”
His grin leans right. “I can’t blame you for that.”
“Right.”
“But you believe me now? You believe Bent?”
“He says you aren’t in The Pride,” I say without answering definitively. “That you never were.”
“I never was,” he confirms, not looking away. Not allowing me to. “I withdrew as soon as Prescott told me what he wanted me to do.”
I nod jerkily, twisting my fingers in my lap.
“That’s what he said.” I look up, pressing my lips against an irrepressible smile. “He said you’re banned for life because you knocked out two of Prescott’s teeth.”