Page 102 of Undeniable Temptation

“Continue?” Bruce sighed. “You’llcontinueto make it work?”

Ryan didn’t give a shit about his admission. “Look, I’m not asking on a whim. I wouldn’t be here unless my future happiness was dependent on your answer. Leah’s, too. I’ve never seen her date during her entire time as the Reckless manager. She’s never needed or wanted to. But she needs this. She needs me and I feel the same way about her.”

“Just put a fucking price on it,” Mason snapped.

“Even I know Leah wouldn’t appreciate a price on a relationship.” Bruce scoffed. “But you want a number, so I’ll give you one. How does two million dollars sound?”

Ryan fought to withhold a wince.

“Don’t even think about it.” Mason grabbed Ryan’s shirt. “Let’s get out of here. He’s not going to negotiate.”

“I could get the money together.” Ryan couldn’t move. He couldn’t quit staring at the man who held his happiness hostage.

“I’m not going to let you do that.” Mason stepped in front of him. “Leah would kill you.I’dfucking kill you. You’re not wasting two mil on a chance with her. It’s not worth it.”

“It’s not wasting two million on a chance. It’d be two million for an opportunity.”

“He’s fucking with you, Ry. And besides, your track record with women isn’t a glowing recommendation to throw money at. You’ve got a wife who’s pregnant with another man, and Blake tells me you turned your other conquest to the dark side.”

“Not funny.” Ryan glowered. “I have no other option.”

“Yeah, you do.” Mason tugged again. “You just don’t want to take it.”

True. Plan B was worse than the risks with Plan A. The revulsion at his action would be doubled. More people would be involved, diluting the affects but stretching them further. “I don’t think…”

“Thinking’s never been your strong suit.” Mason dragged him down the cement steps and onto the sidewalk. “Now we do it my way.”

* * *

Leah sucked in a deep breath, filled her lungs, and then let loose with an off-pitch rendition of Adele’s latest release.

“Fuck.” Mitch jerked upright from his dozing position on the sofa, while Blake and Sean cringed.

She’d never been more proud of her lack of vocal talent.

“Enough.” Sean shoved to his feet and stamped his grumpy ass into the kitchen, stopping in front of her seated position on the counter. “If I’d known payback would come in the form of singing, I would’ve drugged you hours ago.”

“Oh, sweetie,” she cooed. “Retribution hasn’t even started.”

Since her first failed attempt at escape, she’d tried to leave two more times. The first was in commando mode and involved a rather embarrassing crawl along numerous feet of hallway carpet before the click of a cell’s recording device encouraged her to stand. The second was when all three men had been dozing in varying positions around the living room. Mitch had sprung to his feet with the opening of the door and proceeded to run straight ahead, tripping over Blake on the floor. He hadn’t braced for impact. At least not with his hands. His face took the brunt of the fall, the resulting blood rushing from his nose enough to kick her conscience into overdrive.

“Why don’t you get a few hours’ rest?” Sean leaned against the opposite counter, his shoulders slumped, his head drooping. “Please.Daylight is going to break any minute now.”

“If your career was on the line, would you be able to rest?”

He raised his chin and met her gaze with determination. “If I were you, I’d have faith in the men who love and adore you.”

She glanced down at her swaying feet, cursing the effects lack of sleep had on her emotions. “Do you forget how well I know you all?” She shot him a look through her lashes before lowering her focus again. “My position is already perilous, and then Ryan made it worse by kissing me in front of the crew. If Bruce finds out…”

“He already has.”

Her gaze shot up.

“Sean,” Blake warned, the bass guitarist striding into the kitchen. “Let’s keep this quiet until Ryan gets back.”

“No.” She pushed from the counter. “I deserve to know what’s going on with my own career.”

“We’ve got your back. That’s all you need to know.” Mitch came up beside Blake, wiping a rough hand over his face. “This won’t end until we’re all happy with the outcome.”

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