Page 36 of Twisted Ruck

"You'd look adorable," Frost said. "I might get myself one, so we can match."

Storm shook his head. "You guys are ridiculous. Let's focus on what's important here. We need to deal with Atlas."

His words brought the mood back down to Earth with a crash. He was right, but the return to reality wasn't all that welcome. Joking around was much more fun. Something I'd liketo do a lot more of, but apparently that would have to wait until later.

"We need totalkto Atlas," I corrected. "No killing him." I looked around at all three of them, but my firmest expression was for Storm. We didn't need him to run off half cocked and punch Atlas' lights out based on what was nothing more than a theory. We could be wrong.

"I agree not to kill him if he's not fucking with us," Storm said. "If he is, then all bets are off."

His grey eyes looked like a thundercloud about to burst. He was so certain he'd been right about Atlas all along. What if he was? What if he wasn't? Would he let up on the other player if he found out we were all on the same side? What would it take for them to trust each other? Was it too much of a stretch to hope they might like each other some day?

A girl could hope. Judging by the wrinkle on Frost's brow as he frowned, he was hoping the same thing. On the other hand, he'd be almost as willing to kill Atlas as he would to fuck him. I knew which one I'd prefer to watch.

Spoiler alert: fucking.

"We should do this away from the stadium," I said. "Away from Dominic King. If he has any idea we're having this conversation, he might come after us regardless of Atlas."

"Another candidate for having his hand ripped off and getting smacked with it," Storm said. He mimed pulling off his left hand and hitting someone with it repeatedly.

"That's very specific," Frost said. "Do you have some fetish about ripping off hands? Or just smacking?" He grinned.

Storm snorted. "Both. Only when people deserve it." He eyed me sideways. "I'll also smack Chelsea if she decides to try to talk to him without us. Or does anything to risk herself."

"Don't threaten me with a good time," I said lightly. "Or better yet, do. I like a good time." I could still feel the pinch ofDallas's teeth on my ass cheek. The sting of the marks he left behind. Right beside the bruises from Storm's fingers.

"I'm seriously thinking of handcuffing you to my bed and leaving you there," Storm said. "You'd be safe from all sorts of shit like that."

"As much as I like that idea, when you guys play away, there'd be no one to feed me," I said.

Not to mention other things I couldn't do for myself if I was tied to the bed. I didn't mind feeling helpless in the right context, but that wouldn't be it. Especially if, in spite of Storm's assurance, someone broke into the apartment. I'd have no way to run or even fight back. No, better to use the handcuffs when the guys were around. Anything else would be potentially dangerous. And not at all fun.

"I could stay," Dallas said. "We could alternate between feeding and fucking. With the occasional bath in between."

"Nowyou'rethreatening me with a good time," I told him.

That sounded pretty fucking perfect right now. But I couldn't lie back and do nothing until I knew what Atlas's deal was. And Jay's. And, given his growing closeness to both of them, Ramsey. Dallas told me about the conversation they had on the plane and that he seemed like a good guy, but he could be in it up to his eyeballs as well.

"I'd never threaten you," Dallas said. "But I'm always ready to give you a good time." His hand wandered up my leg and under the waistband of my track pants.

Chapter Fourteen

Chelsea

"Coach saidyou wanted to see me." Atlas stepped through the doorway into the infirmary. His tone was light, but his expression was one of concern.

"I thought I should check up on your nose," I said as easily as I could.

My mind raced, palms sweating. I bet anything my brother wouldn't be so anxious under the same circumstances. Hell, Sadie would be cooler than I was.

I'd have to give her a call later to get together with her. We hadn't had much time to talk about me moving out, except for her being happy for me. She already had one of the girls from Flirts moving into my old room. Hopefully they'd get along as well as Sadie and I had.

Atlas shrugged. "It's fine. Is that all there is, or did you want to see me for…something else?" He wiggled his eyebrows and stepped closer to me.

Doctor Stuart was off today and Skinner was down in the pool working with some of the injured players. We had the place to ourselves, which was why I asked him to come here now.

I took a step back and cursed myself for doing it. So much for not being suspicious. If he didn't suspect anything from that, hewould a moment later when Storm, Frost and Dallas stepped out of the meeting room.

"What is this?" Atlas asked. He eyed them warily. His whole body stiffened when Dallas stepped around to stand guard in the doorway.

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