Page 33 of Power Play

“What you've seen, who you think I am”—her hazel eyes slide to meet mine—“it's one layer, the tip of the iceberg. You're about to get a front row seat to who I've had to fight tonotbecome.”

For several minutes, the whirl of the tires along the asphalt fills the otherwise silent Suburban.

“I don't understand,” I say, breaking the quiet.

“You will,” she whispers, leaning back into the seat, her shoulders rounded and head lowered. “To answer your question, T, in two more lights, make a left and then take a right at the stop sign.”

My focus shifts from her as Tank makes the various turns. Something antsy and desperate builds, begging me to grab her shoulder and pull her close.

What the actual fuck?

Comfort is not a top ten attribute of mine. Or twenty. Yet seeing her ashamed urges me to heal whatever pain is causing this strong woman to falter.

“Ma’am—” Tank clears his throat. “Randi, you sure you know where you're going?”

Her head bobs in a slight nod.

What the hell is going on?

Tearing my gaze from her side of the Suburban, I glance out the windshield and do a double take.

“The police station?”

Even with Tank's dark sunglasses, I can tell he’s watching through the rearview mirror. I shrug and shake my head. No wonder she wasn't concerned with security. At least twenty cop cars and a few highway patrol SUVs fill the parking lot.

Tank eases the Suburban to the curb right outside the front door.

“I don't want to make a scene,” Randi says to the window, staring at the glass doors of the station. “I'd prefer to go in alone.” Tank starts to object, but she cuts him off. “But I know you won't let that happen. How about you guys stay out here, and I'll take Trouble in with me. It’s safe in there, you know it is, and if anything shady happens outside, you can let Trouble know.”

“I don't—”

“Please,” she says on a heavy sigh. “I've done this before, unfortunately. We'll be in and out. Kyle said they didn't book her, so there shouldn't be any paperwork.”

Her?

My already burning curiosity spikes. My eyes flick from Randi to the police station and back again.

“I've got her,” I say, popping the door handle and shoving the heavy door open. “In and out, like she says. We're at a police station, for fuck’s sake, Tank.”

After slamming the door shut, I step to the driver side door and motion for him to lower the window.

“It's fine,” I say reassuringly with two thumbs up and a smile.

“It's not, you fool,” he growls. “You're putting her life in danger.”

Gremlin shouts a curse. Both our heads whip to the other side of the SUV as two doors slam shut.

“Shit,” I grumble and bolt around the hood. “Ma'am,” I shout in warning just as Gremlin wraps his arms around her waist, halting her determined stride toward the doors.

“Let me go,” she grunts, wiggling in his arms, unable to break free.

Gremlin’s eyes lift up to mine, an unspoken question passing between us.

“Don't run off like that,” I chastise, lifting the standard-issue dark sunglasses as I massage the bridge of my nose between two fingers. “It makes us look bad, and you could die. Neither is good.”

Randi's fight against Gremlin's hold lessens.

I wave a hand for him to drop his restraint and hike a thumb over my shoulder. “I've got it from here. Take watch with Tank. Let me know if anything happens out here while we're inside.”

---