Page 17 of Power Twist

I fight the urge to throw my hands up in the air like a kid having a tantrum. “I'm not doing anything but my job. Ground the other kids, Dad, I'm innocent.” Movement at their table snags my attention. “Focus, you assholes. She's on the move.”

Before she's fully standing, I'm at her side, fingers wrapped around the back of her chair with a death grip as I tug it away from the table.

“It was fun,” she says, her voice tight. I hold back a knowing smile. The tension in her shoulders and the fake smile plastered across her beautiful face signal that she's aware this was a date. Can't wait to tell her ‘I told you so.’ “No,” she says in response to his request for another. “Thank you.” Her hazel eyes flick to mine. “I need to get ready for the summit. I'll be busy until then.”

My lips tug down in a frown. Why didn't she just tell him to fuck off and not ask her out again? Instead she gave the excuse of the summit, which means he'll try again there or after.

My mind works overtime as I scan the restaurant for threats. Gremlin tips his chin in a quick nod, signaling everything's clear from his vantage point.

“We need to move,” I state to break up the long goodbye. We don't, but I need to get her away from this tool before she agrees to another date without realizing what she's doing.

Fingers pressed against her lower back I urge her to move toward Gremlin.

“Thank you again, Todd. Good night.” The last part is said over her shoulder in a rush as I pressure her into a quick pace. “Is there something going on?” Randi asks. “Hey, Grem.”

“Ma'am.”

I smirk at her dramatic eye roll. “Not with that shit again.”

“We're in public, ma'am. It's protocol.”

“I'll show T where he can shove his protocol,” she grumbles. In a flash, she grabs my wrist and yanks it up to her lips. “You hear that, T? You and I are going to have words at home.”

A deep rumbling laugh, one I never hear on the job, vibrates down the line, tickling my ear.

“He's looking forward to it,” I tell Randi as we pause at the doors, giving her time to slip her long wool coat on. And gloves. And scarf. “We're just walking to the Suburban.” I chuckle as I take in her over-the-top winter attire.

“It's below thirty out there,” she says while she focuses on fastening every single button of her coat. “Texans are not made for this kind of weather, okay? I have to be fully protected or I'll turn into a damn Randi popsicle out there.”

Without thinking, I lean close and whisper, “That’s a popsicle I’d love to lick. What flavor—” Tank's yelled promises of murder cut me short. Pulling back, I smirk down at her wide eyes. “Ready?”

Puddles of melted snow splash under my dress shoes as we exit the building, shuffling as quickly as possible to the waiting SUV. Pausing at the open door, Randi pats Tank on the shoulder and sighs. “Don't be too hard on him,” she says, smiling back at me. “I am quite edible.” Her sinister laugh follows her as she climbs into the back seat.

The door slams and Tank smacks his palm on the top, sending it barreling off into the night. An exact replica SUV follows close behind.

Once the taillights have faded into the distance, Tank turns, pinning me with his intense stare.

“What am I going to do with you?” he mutters.

“You love me.” I slam a fist into his shoulder. “I keep you on your toes.”

“Can you do your job?” he asks, his eyes searching mine for the truth. “I need to know right now, Trey. Can you do this job without being distracted by her? I can tell this goes deeper than a casual fuck, which is great for my friend, but for my partner, the one watching my back, I need to know where your head is.”

Breaking his stare, I huff, the puff of breath clouding between us. I tuck my wrist behind my back to muffle my words from the rest of the team.

“I would rather die myself than allow anything to happen to her, or you, or the rest of the team. I can't stop being attracted to her, can't stop from wanting to be with her, but I know my limits, know when to work and when to play.” I smirk, thinking about all the things I want to ‘play’ when it comes to Randi. “She changed me, man, and I can't go back to who I was before.”

“Good. You were a fucking spoiled-ass adolescent.”

My brows shoot up my forehead. “Tell me how you really feel.”

A smile pulls at his lips. “Sarah agreed to training our girl—”

“Our?”

“Our. You think you're the only one who cares about her? She's going to make a difference here, Playboy. I can feel it.” He looks down the street. “DC will never be the same after she's done with it.”

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