Page 68 of Securing Samantha

“Shit,” Kassie swore. “He’s sneaky.”

“Don’t you worry about Shadow; I owe him one.” Victoria pointed to her healed eye. “Samantha, you get Taco and Whiskey. Use Whiskey’s bulk against him.”

“What about Ivan?” Kassie asked.

Victoria smiled. “I’ll distract Ivan.” Unlike the rest of the women all bundled from head to toe, Victoria wore a black beanie on her head and all black clothing. She didn’t even shiver. “Are we set?”

“Who made all these snowballs?” Samantha surveyed the piles placed strategically around the field.

“A few of Ivan’s men who slacked off. They behaved like children; they get treated like them.” Victoria crossed her arms and faced each of the women. “Our biggest advantage is they think girls can’t throw hard. You can bet their leader’s standing over there instructing them to hit us like wilted daisies. Pelt them like you mean it,” she ordered. Each woman nodded and scurried to their positions.

The timer went off.

Catherine threw the first ball as Saint crossed the field. The women hid in the shadows. Samantha saw Taco cross the field as he pelted a snowball in Victoria’s direction. She easily side stepped the missile. Catherine threw one, hitting Taco on the shoulder. Kassie crouched and took off in a full run, tripped on her own feet and fell to the ground. One second, two seconds, and Chase ran out to check on his wife. As he reached her, she pelted him. “Gotcha!” she called out. He stood stunned as she cackled in glee.

“You’ll pay for your deception, later,” he called as he backed up and took off at a full run.

“Promises, promises,” she yelled back.

Victoria glanced behind her and motioned to Lizzy. Grinning like a loon. “Piece of cake, Chase needs two more hits to be out, go get him.”

Lizzy ran just as a snowball came out of nowhere. She dived and threw one hitting Michael in the arm and Leo square in the chest.

“Ha! Take that sucker!” The normally quiet Lizzy yelled at Leo, making his eyes widen in surprise before he grinned.

“I see how it is, get ‘em boys,” he ordered.

Kassie ducked as missiles dropped in her direction.

“Watch your right side,” Samantha warned Kassie.

“Run Lizzy!” Catherine squealed when Lizzy hit Leo, which caused a snowball to hit the building, missing the target.

“I’ll cover you,” Bryanna called.

Victoria disappeared from the group. Bryanna went to the right while Samantha hid behind a wall on the left. Kassie screamed as she pelted Taco.

Shadow appeared from nowhere and got her in the back.

“Seems Victoria didn’t teach you to watch your back,” Shadow taunted.

Michael tagged Lizzy. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked.

Lizzy grinned, “I’ll let you kiss my boo boo later,” She darted around the corner.

Bryanna moved and Saint came around the corner ready to throw his weapon when she caught him in the gut. “Aww, I think you need to cut down on all those treats, you’re getting slow,” she teased. “Maybe you should call your mama and tell her you got hit by a girl.”

Leo barked out a laugh. Saint scowled. “You know what they say about people throwing stones at glass houses, brother. I may have got pelted by a snowball, but at least I didn’t get shot in the ass by a girl.”

Kassie giggled as Leo threw a snowball at Saint’s chest.

While Saint bent over Samantha tossed one in his direction, hitting him in the back. He dived for cover. Bryanna advanced. Shadow and Leo caught her twice. “Don’t pick on Saint, he keeps your business in the black all by himself,” Leo reminded her laughing.

“Hey, I heard that.” Saint groused.

Taco hit Samantha. Lizzy hit Taco again, taking him out of the game. “Yes,” Lizzy cheered and did a little dance.

Michael stepped out of the shadows and threw a ball at Lizzy, hitting her while Kassie and Victoria pelted him. Leo hit Lizzy at the same time, making her and Michael out. Michael grinned, “Come on, let’s get off this crazy field and I’ll warm you up,” They left the field laughing while Taco handed them hot chocolate on the sidelines. Samantha worked her way around as Catherine launched her missiles. The target dinged, indicating Catherine got hit. “Hey, I need more balls,” she called.

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