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“If you turned them down, as you say you did, then why has AAG Pierce been stopping by? Why was he on that random outing of yours out in the middle of nowhere, where it seemed you didn't want to be seen together?”

Dread seizes my lungs, cutting off my breath.

Well, fuck. I walked into that one.

Think, Randi, and think damn quick.

A story forms, a bad one, but still a story I can spin.

Sorry, Trey.

“Have you seen him?” I ask, forcing my brow to arch when everything else seems frozen in panic.

“I don't follow.” Kyle tilts his head, studying me like I'm some kind of freak show. Who knows? To him, maybe I am.

“He's hot as hell, Kyle.” I try to ignore the stiffening of Trey's shoulders. “And I’m not one to pass up someone like him when it was so freely offered.”

“You're fucking him.” A hint of belief lightens his tone.

“I don't kiss and tell.” I laugh with a wink. “But yeah. Did you know he has tattoos?” I close my eyes like I'm imagining them and sigh in pleasure.

“And you're okay with this?” I peek one eye open, knowing full well he's not talking to me.

“I got what I needed out of that relationship.” I hate the vile words coming from my mouth. Even if Trey does know they're all lies, it hurts saying them. I can't imagine what it's like to hear them.

“So I heard. Nice move, by the way, using him to get to the real power in the family. Did not expect that level of play from someone like you.” If I'm not mistaken, a hint of approval lingers in Kyle’s voice. “Maybe you're cut out for this city after all. However, I'm no idiot. I don't believe you.”

“How do you suggest I prove it?” There's no need to fake the exhaustion in my voice. Fingers to my temples, I slowly massage in small circles. “Not that I need your approval for any of this, but I would love to not die a slow death. If I can find a way for you to call off the target on my back, I'll do it.”

Tipping his head back, Kyle's loud, full laugh shudders around the room. “I take back what I said. You’re a damn fool. As far as making me trust you, I’ll think on that, Walmart. I'm sure I can come up with a way for you to prove your… loyalty to this office.”

A shiver of dread slides down my sweaty spine.

“You do that and let me know.”

We push out of our seats at the same time. With a nod, Kyle adjusts his jacket and strolls out of the room just as quietly as he appeared.

I keep my gaze focused on the hallway wall just outside the doors, afraid to turn and face Trey.

“Trouble—”

“I know, Randi. Fuck, I know.”

I swallow against a parched throat and slowly turn to him. Panic sets in when he won't meet my pleading stare.

His hands tighten into fists at his side. “Doesn't mean I have to like it.”

With that, he storms to the door, leaving me gaping at his back, struggling to find the words to call him back and ease his frustration.

But the right words don’t come.

10

Randi

The coppery taste of blood slithers across the tip of my tongue as I glide it along my lips. Frowning at my thumbnail, I tug a tissue from the box on the side table to dab at the crimson liquid seeping down to my nail bed. I wince at the initial sting of the rough tissue against the raw section where my nail used to be.

I shouldn't be this nervous. This meeting with Sam is nothing new, except for the conversation I’ll unload on him. That's the part I'm dreading. What if he laughs or outright refuses to be my pretend boy toy? Or what if he already has a girlfriend?