Stolen by Allison Brennan Page A

casually crossed the room, more observant than he appeared. Colton had been raised by a single mother after his father left when he was seven and his brother Travis was three. His mom worked two jobs to afford to live in a better school district, and Colton had gone to MIT on a full scholarship. It had been hard on the Thayers. Travis had died when they were kids, and his death had deeply affected Colton to the point that now, two decades later, his choices still related to Travis. Sean knew Colton had subconsciously replaced Travis with him—Travis would have been thirty this year, just like Sean.
    Colton sat on the barstool next to Sean. “You’ve grown soft.” He gestured to the lighter brew. The bartender walked over and Colton asked for a black and tan, Guinness over Bass ale. He and Sean had drunk the concoction at their favorite bar in college.
    Sean said, “I’ll have one as well.”
    He drained the rest of his Harp and pushed the empty pint forward.
    Colton grinned. “It’s really great to have you back.”
    “I told you before, it’s temporary while I get my life straightened out.”
    “I know what you said.”
    “Evan nearly screwed the entire operation yesterday.”
    “Evan told me what happened.”
    That surprised Sean. “Everything?”
    “That he didn’t know it was an RCK security system until yesterday and he was afraid you’d pull out if you knew.”
    “That’s bullshit.”
    “I don’t think he’s lying.”
    “That makes one of us.”
    “Why would he jeopardize the operation? I’ve done my research, Sean.”
    “I don’t know why. Maybe he’s as sick and tired of Skye flirting with me as I am and wants to take me out.”
    Colton snorted. “We need you on this, Sean. You’re the best.”
    “You keep saying that, but I don’t even know what you have planned. I really don’t like being kept in the dark. Based on what we learned from PBM and what you’re telling me, I can’t see the big picture. That’s why I need to take a step back.”
    Colton didn’t say anything until after the bartender delivered the two pints. Then Colton sipped, carefully placed his drink on the coaster. “You used to trust me.”
    “I did.”
    “Did?”
    Now Sean had to spill what he suspected. Noah thought the move was risky, but if what Sean knew was the truth, Colton would expect him to ask. And if he was wrong? That meant there was someone else with information that could land Sean in prison.
    “You ratted me out to Senator Jonathan Paxton.”
    Sean was watching Colton’s reaction in the bar mirror. He wasn’t surprised at the mention of Paxton, but he looked confused.
    “Ratted you out for what?”
    “You set me up so I’d have no choice but to work for you,” Sean said. “You used him to get to me.”
    Colton became agitated. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Sean.”
    “Are you denying you know the senator?”
    Colton looked into his beer. “I still don’t know what you’re saying, Sean. I would never turn on you.”
    Sean pushed back his growing guilt for lying to Colton about why he was here.
    “Did you tell Paxton about what happened ten years ago?”
    “Of course not! I would never betray you like that.” He looked pained at the accusation. “Sean, don’t you believe me?”
    He sounded sincere, but Sean couldn’t be certain. He hadn’t worked with Colton in years. Things changed. People changed. Why would Colton go through such lengths to bring Sean into the group?
    Colton’s face fell. “You don’t.”
    “Paxton knows about Robert Martin and his company.”
    “Impossible.”
    “C., he blackmailed me into stealing something for him. In July, he said that he knew of a crime I committed where the statute of limitations was still eight months from expiring. The only thing still over my head is that.”
    “I swear to God, Sean, I said nothing to Paxton about Martin or Martin Holdings. I would never betray you.”
    Sean believed Colton, and it