Page 33 of Blindside Sinner

I try to yank my bag away but he just holds it over his head and steps back with that stupid smirk plastered on his face. I’m tall for a girl, but I’m no match for a pro athlete.

Nor a pro asshole.

He laughs at my glower, making me frown even more. We don’t laugh together. That’s not our thing. There’s an ache in my stomach that tells me trouble’s coming.

Beck sees my face and his smile grows. “Chill, little one. I’m not going to do anything to your shit.”

I open my mouth—because, while I can’t prove it, I know that’s exactly what he’s about to do—when Vivian’s voice echoes around us.

“Sloan, you ready? I thought we could have a touchbase on the drive.”

Her voice breaks that standoff, but I’m still torn between wanting to climb Beck like a tree to get my things or just letting him go away.

Sadly, if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that Vivian isn’t the type to keep waiting.

“Of course,” I tell her. “I just need to get?—”

“Let’s go then.” She waves me toward the bus with an air of prissy impatience.

Goddammit.

Beck trots away with my bag. He throws it into the storage area with his own and climbs onto the coach without another look back.

Out of options, I head back to the staff bus, ready to climb on—when Vivian’s arm bars my way.

“We’re going to talk about the plan for this trip. I hope you’re ready for it.”

I was looking forward to a few worry-free hours with my headphones and a nap. How has Beck managed to mess that up already?

“Great,” I mumble. “Can’t wait.”

By the time we pull up to the hotel that afternoon, we’ve got a simple plan in place.

Stupidly simple, actually. Stick to Beck like glue for the entire trip and whatever I do, don’t let him go off the rails.

“I got you guys adjoining hotel rooms, but the connecting door locks easily enough.” Vivian turns to me. “I want to make sure you’re close in case he needs anything.”

Translation:Don’t let him go anywhere without you.

Beck’s grin is damn near feral when he disembarks and looks at me. A predator spotting unsuspecting prey. “Don’t worry, Viv. Sloan and I are going to have plenty of fun together.”

“Gee, how reassuring.”

The plan seems easy enough, but I know Beckett Daniels. He’s not going to lose this golden opportunity. No, he’s going to do whatever it takes to get me out of his life. An away game where we both need to behave our best is the perfect place to start.

We’re in our hotel rooms for less than ten minutes before I’m proven right.

I haven’t even had time to unpack when Beck bangs on the door between our rooms. Before the door is even all the way open, he pushes his way through and shoves a piece of paper into my hand.

“I need you to pick some shit up for me.”

I shove the page back to him without a glance. “Get it yourself.”

Now, it’s Beck’s turn to raise his eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware I was being let out in public without a chaperone again. Last I heard, I was confined to the hotel and the rink, nowhere else permitted. Besides, aren’t you my assistant? Sounds like your job, not mine.”

I can hear the bitterness in his voice, but the truth is, Beck is the only one to blame for the consequences he’s facing. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, right?

If the tabloids are anything to go by, he’s played plenty of stupid games. And boy, did he win big.

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