Page 40 of Power Play

“What the hell?” Too many conflicting emotions pour through me to decipher which one I actually feel. Happy, angry, sad, relieved.

Again, he shrugs.

“Look at me, dammit.” I smack his shoulder to get his attention. “Seriously?”

Only the barest outline of his eyes is visible through his dark sunglasses, but I know he's watching me.

“He was a threat to you, so we handled the situation.”

“Um, did anyone else throw a punch?”

He smirks and shakes his head.

“Thenyouhandled the situation.” Pinching pain fills my lower lip as I bite down. “What about Mom? She'll just go right back to him, and I'll be back down here next week hauling her out of holding. Again.”

“Rehab.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “Been there, done that. It doesn't stick.”

“There are several good ones out in California. They have a higher success rate than others because of the long programs.”

I purse my lips and raise both brows high on my forehead. “You seem to know a lot about it. Been recently?”

Silence.

Interesting. Interesting indeed.

“I've looked into those before, but if I remember right, they were way too expensive for what I could afford,” I tell him.

“What about Birmingham?” All warmth from his features disappears at the mention of Kyle. “Won't he help you with your mom?”

I shake my head and turn to look out the window. “I don't want any more reason to be indebted to that asshole. I need to do this on my own.”

It would make life a lot simpler if I asked Kyle for the money, but what would he demand in return? I'm already in too deep as it is with him and his corrupt family.

“I'll figure it out,” I murmur to the glass. “I always do.”

* * *

The suite is ridiculous in the best way possible. Every surface shines while light sparkles around the room. Sweet vanilla mixed with jasmine fills my nose as I step deeper into the living room. I shift on my feet, staring at the floral carpet while attempting to keep the tears I've held for hours at bay for a few more minutes as the guys secure the room.

Absurd if you ask me. It's not like this was a planned stop. Deciding to stay overnight at The Ritz in downtown Dallas before flying out tomorrow was too impromptu for someone to plan a master assassination attempt. The guys fought me in the car, saying it would be best if we went on home tonight, but using my award-winning debate skills I won the argument.

Hopefully Kyle won't ream them for going against his direct orders. He’ll be furious with me, but I don't give two flying fucks. I need a hot bath, a Snickers bar, and no fewer than two boxes of tissue to get through the next hour. All these damn emotions need an outlet before I explode in a river of tears and a gooey mess of snot.

I never cry, but the previous twenty-four hours would get to anyone with a pulse.

“Clear,” T's booming voice echoes through the room.

Almost like my tears know relief is coming soon, two escape, slowly rolling down my hot cheeks. Gaze lowered, I race to the master bedroom. The fancy-ass door refuses to close quickly even as I shove on it, desperate for privacy. With only an inch to go, the sense of someone watching draws my attention. On the other side of the door, Trouble’s worried face fills the remaining small gap. His lips part, but the door clicks shut before he can get out a single word.

The worry and confusion shining from his light brown eyes snap the thin restraint on my rolling emotions. Tossing the ball cap to the bed, I fall to the floor not caring that I’m falling apart in the middle of the room. My ass hits the soft carpet. Knees tucked to my chest, I press my forehead to my thighs and let the tears flow.

Seconds. Minutes. Hell, maybe hours pass, but I don't move.

Something taps my shoulder startling me out of my hysteria. Peeling my forehead away from my jeans at a gentle touch on my shoulder, uncomfortable dark brown eyes watch from where T is crouched beside me. It's stupid, and so unlike me, but instead of pulling away from his comforting grip, I lean in to it. Happy-filled tingles spark from his touch. It's nothing like the heat and desire that coursed through my veins from Trouble’s, but still, the sense of support fills my heart with a friendly calm.

“You okay?” he asks.

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