Page 5 of Taming Riot

“That’s great, Lisa! I know how much you love her books,” I tell her, climbing into the taxi and murmuring my destination to the driver, who simply nods.

“You know what’s even better? She says she’s read my stories, and she’s excited to meet me too.” I pull my phone from my ear when my cousin breaks into a cheer. “I can’t believe it, Sasha, I finally get to meet my idol! I have to pack, so I can leave tonight.”

Her words give me pause. “T-tonight?”

“Yes, I’m packing up right now. She and a bunch of other writers will be having dinner at the Hilton Anatole tomorrow night, and she said I could join them. You bet your ass I’ll be there, but I want to leave tonight instead of tomorrow, so I don’t risk getting caught in traffic or something. I might even stay in Dallas the whole weekend!”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to stop her, tell her that I am meeting a strange man tonight, and ask for her advice, but the thought of saying anything that might tempt her to stay stops me. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard my cousin so excited about anything. She spends most of her days in our shared apartment, writing, and this is her chance to finally go out.

No, I am not taking that away from her.

Lisa deserves to get out and have fun, and I . . . Well, I’ll just have to deal with this mysterious man on my own.

“Have fun, Lisa,” I tell her. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do. I’ll be back in a few days at most. Don’t miss me too much!”

The call ends just as the taxi is pulling up outside city hall. I thank the driver and pay him, but I don’t go in. I stop at the entrance and contemplate walking in or stalling a little.

When my supervisor sent me to the police department to collect some documents on a case he’s currently working, I knew he was just trying to get me out of the office, so he and my colleagues could gossip about my brother and his political aspirations. The election is in a few months, and it’s all anyone is talking about. My presence makes it difficult for them to speak openly.

I breathe out a sigh and stare at the entrance, questioning for the first time what the hell I am doing here.

I never wanted to be a lawyer. Hell, I don’t even believe I’ll be a good one. Sure, I’m book smart and get high scores on all my tests, but that’s where it ends. My life was written for me before I was born, and it became clear from a young age that I didn’t have a choice in the matter.

And now, I am stuck in an internship I never wanted with colleagues who walk on eggshells around me. Even my supervisor is terrified because a word from me to any one of my family members could end his career.

Not that I would do that. The thought of hurting or offending anyone sends my insides churning.

And yet, that’s what everyone sees when they look at me. A ticking time bomb that could explode and take everyone nearby with me. They’re all scared of me.

He’s not.

The unbidden thought enters my mind as the memory of Riot returns. The smug way he looked at me, almost as if he doesn’t care that I am the daughter of one of the most powerful men in Austin.

He’d told me no.

A word no one outside of my family has ever said to me, but a stranger looked me dead in the eye and refused to give into my wishes, demanding I give into his instead.

I tremble as I mentally relive my encounter with Riot. I chew at my lip as thoughts I have never entertained before storm in.

Here is one man outside of my family that is not scared of me.

Rugged, dangerous, and the complete opposite of everything I am used to.

Part of me thinks he won’t really call, that he was just teasing me. But I realize . . . I want him to. I want to see him again, to hear what it is he wants from me. Whatever it is, I’ll give it to him. A way to reach my father or brothers? I can connect him to them, but . . . I want something in exchange.

A night.

It’s my only chance.

With this thought in mind, I quickly text my supervisor that I’m taking the rest of the day off. Not that he’ll care. He’ll probably be happy to have me gone for the rest of the day. Once the text is sent, I rush back down the steps, my hand lifted to call for a taxi.

I need to catch Lisa before she leaves for Dallas. My wardrobe will not cut it for what I need tonight. I’ll need my cousin’s help with that.

One night.

Tonight, I don’t want to be Alexandra “Sasha” Greenwald, the daughter of the most powerful man in Austin. No, I’m going to be just Sasha, a simple, twenty-one-year-old college girl.

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