Page 49 of Power Twist

I roll my eyes at Ben's typical guy response. “For fuck’s sake.”

“She and that agent guy. There's something—”

“Out,” I screech as I throw a pointed finger toward the door like a spear. “Now.”

“Fine by me,” she says with a wink as she shoulders past me. “I'll just wait right outside with Chad.”

“Chad? Who the fuck is Chad?” I blurt.

“The cute agent.” She cocks her head to the side, her blonde hair swishing over her shoulder. “What do you call him?”

“Gremlin,” I grumble. Turning to Ben, I give him my best pleading eyes. “Do something.”

“So women fidget when they're turned on?”

“Oh, fucking hell. I seriously need a drink for this shit show. First the Russians and now my ex asking about the complexities of a woman’s hormones.”

“A simple yes or no would be just fine,” Ben huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. The pearl snaps of his shirt pull at the movement, the sleeves tightening over his thick biceps. Before my world flipped upside down, that simple move was sexy, but now it's just a move.

“Everything okay in here?” Trey's voice cuts through the hot office air and the rising tension.

Sealing my eyes shut, I tilt my face to the ceiling. What gods did I piss off this time for this to be my day? First I got my ass beat, then my heart stopped when my daughter called scared, and now here I am with the man I'm sleeping with and my baby daddy all in one tiny office.

Hell, I don't need a drink, I need a fucking bottle.

“Taeler, leave. Trey, don't let her out of your sight. Ben, sit your ass down. We need to talk.”

I swear a cricket chirps in the corner, which is concerning on so many levels.

Behind me, the door quietly clicks closed. Peeling my eyes back open, I take a deep breath.

“So you and that guy, huh?” Ben says, finally ending the awkward silence.

I nod and shrug, then shake my head. “Maybe. I don't know. I kind of have a lot going on right now.”

With a chuckle, he falls into the rolling chair and leans back. “You look good, Rand.”

The earlier anger drains at the sincerity in his voice.

“Thanks, Ben. I'm sorry I dragged Tae into this mess. I'll figure out a way to keep her safe.”

Peering up through my lashes, I meet his stare.

“I know you will, Rand. You always find a way to make it work.” The chair squeaks under his shifting weight as he leans back. “I was scared shitless when she called.”

The desk gives a slight wobble as I hop up and lean back against the wall. “Same. At least you were in the same state. I felt so helpless. There was nothing I could do but get on a plane.” The backs of my black wedge booties tap the thin metal file cabinet under the desk as I swing my legs back and forth. “Thanks for coming down though. It makes it easier knowing you're just a few hours away.”

“She is my daughter too, Rand,” he says, his tone defensive.

I want to retort with all the times he hasn't acted like the standup father he is now but swallow the words down. We've had that fight before, many times; no need to beat a dead horse.

“You know,” he says, “I kind of thought we'd figure it out one day.”

A corner of my lips tugs upward. “Yeah, before all this, me too. But I don't think either of us would've been happy.”

“No, you wouldn't have.” It takes a few seconds for his words to sink in, but by the time they do, he's at the door, hand on the knob. “Keep me updated on the security you're gonna get for Tae. If those assclown agents let her sneak out once, it’ll happen again.” A blast of cool air sweeps into the overheated office as he pulls open the door. “And Randi?” I look over at him. “Should I try?”

“Try what?” Okay, did I miss a conversation or something?

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