Page 28 of Power Play

“What was that about needing sex?” That gets the guys’ attention. The low murmur and clicking of keys from earlier halt.

“Is there a signup sheet?” Champ offers from where he sits on the floor, laptop balanced on his knees. “I don't care if she is his sloppy seconds.”

A collective growl vibrates through the room at the mention of him. No one except Shawn is more conniving, degrading, and overall a fucking bastard than Kyle Birmingham.

“No signup sheet,” Tank barks. All humor melts from the room. “She hit her head, probably had no idea what in the hell she was saying. It's business as usual for us. We learn as much as we can about the attack tonight, and we do our job. You will respect her, you will protect her, and you will treat her like every other man that has come before her. Nothing changes. Got it?”

A resounding “Yes, sir” rumbles through the small room.

A drop of guilt settles in my gut. No way in hell is this business as usual. I will respect her, I will protect her, but treat her like every old fart who’s been under our protection? Not a chance. First of all, I never had to deep breathe to stay focused on the job instead of their legs or had the urge to verbally spar with one just to hear what they'd say next.

No, this time it's different.

Hell, maybe I'm even different.

Maybe—

The door flies open, slamming against the wall and cutting off my thoughts. Tension consumes the room as Birmingham steps over the threshold. His cold eyes sweep across the team before settling on me. A condescending smirk rises up his prick face.

“Didn't see you with your parents tonight at the party.”

I shrug, faking casualness when all I really want is to punch the slimy smirk off his Botoxed face. “Working.”

“Ah, that's right. Sometimes I forget where you landed after you couldn't take the pressure of the game.”

“Whatever you want to tell yourself, asshole.”

The entire team snickers. I watch with pure joy and fascination as the tips of Kyle's ears redden.

“Show some respect, or I'll try you for treason after I win,” he seethes. “Or maybe I'll torture you with the entertaining sex tapes Shawn and—”

Without thinking of the consequences, I lunge. Two anaconda arms wrap around my chest, hauling me backward before my swing can connect.

Rage burns through my veins, igniting my skin. With an arrogant laugh, he saunters to the bedroom door. Hand on the knob, he turns back to face me, his features hardening to stone.

“I've fucked that tight pussy so many times my dick is imprinted in her cunt. She's mine, so don't even think about touching my new favorite toy.”

Fists at my side, I clench them tight and seal my lips to keep from responding.

“Good boy. And they say old dogs can't learn new tricks.” He shoves the door open and steps into the bedroom.

Staring at the now closed door, I inhale a deep breath, mentally erasing every fucking emotion that woman conjured in me tonight. I erase the idea of thinking she's different than every woman I've ever met. A fucking liar. I should've known.

Turning, I yank open the front door. Gripping Gremlin's collar, I pull him into the condo and slam the door shut, leaving me alone in the hallway. Hands on my knees, I take several deep breaths, evening out my pulse and diminishing the boiling anger.

But hours later the bitter taste of disappointment hasn’t faded.

Chapter Nine

Randi

Acold, fear-laced shiver pulls me from a light sleep. Eyes closed, I wrap both arms around my chest to fend off the uneasy energy that’s settled over my room. Something icy wraps around my ankle, slowly sliding my heel across the duvet, putting distance between it and the other. Behind my closed lids, my eyes twitch. The steady pulse in my head makes it impossible to gather enough energy to open my eyes.

“Get up, Walmart,” a familiar deep voice says, cutting the ties the darkness had over me.

With a gasp, I bolt upright, eyes frantically searching the room before settling on Kyle at the end of the bed, one hand around my left ankle while he brushes his fingertips up and down my bare calf with the other. Another fear-filled shiver rattles through my body, shaking my shoulders and sending flairs of pain into my brain.

“Kyle,” I rasp. Damn, my throat fucking hurts. Without taking my eyes off the pervert, I grapple for the bottle of water on the nightstand. My stiff fingers wrap around the thin plastic, the crackling sound piercing the heavy silence. “What are you doing here?”

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