Page 13 of Run the Play (Nashville Rampage #2)

Chapter Seven

L andry

Anger like I’ve never known courses through my veins. How can any man hurt a woman, let alone one he claims to love and care for? Chaz Brown is a fucking coward of a man, beating and manipulating her.

I shift my attention to Knox and my sister.

Knox is holding her extra tight if the bend of his fist is any indication, and suddenly, I’m even more relieved that he’s the one who fell in love with my little sister.

I feel murderous rage for what that fuckstick Brown did to Rowan.

If that had been Corie, I’d be in jail. Happily so, to defend my baby sister.

Sure, Conner was a dick and cheated on her, but even that piece of shit never laid a hand on her.

“We take care of each other,” Corie says.

“Thank you, but I don’t want any of you getting in trouble or worse, on his radar because of me.”

“Too late,” I tell her. I’m still holding her hand, because, for the life of me, I can’t seem to let go.

“If he gives you issues, you come to one of us,” I tell her.

I hate that this douchebag is going to be a Rampage, a part of our team, but the deal is done, so we’ll just have to keep an eye on her.

“Thank you,” Rowan whispers.

“Do you know what you need?” Sloane asks Rowan. There’s a glint of mischief in her eyes. It’s hard to tell what’s about to come out of her mouth.

“What?” Rowan replies, head tilted to the side.

“Two things, actually. The first is shots.” Sloane jumps off Reid’s lap and dashes into the house.

She’s back in no time with a blackberry whiskey and a package of tiny red Solo shot cups.

Sloane passes out the tiny disposable glasses and then makes her way back around to fill everyone’s cup.

After placing the bottle on the table, she thrusts her cup into the air.

“To good friends, to family.” She tips her cup back, and we all follow suit.

“Damn, that’s good stuff,” Foster says, holding his small shot glass up for another round. Sloane fills him up and offers more to the others. Only Reid and Baker take her up on it.

“What’s the other thing?” Baker asks, tossing back his second shot. “You said Rowan needed two things.”

“Oh.” Sloane plops down on his lap and wiggles her ass to get comfortable. “You need a decoy.”

“A what?” Rowan asks. She furrows her brow and scrunches up her nose, and fuck, it’s cute as hell. Thankfully, it also washes away the tears and sadness that were swimming in her eyes just moments ago.

“Okay, maybe decoy wasn’t the best choice of words. You need a stand-in. A pretend man to keep the sleazy one away from you. Just tell him that you’re dating someone new and to leave you alone.” Sloane smiles, proud of herself.

“Trust me, that won’t stop him. Besides, this pretend stand-in won’t ever be around.

Chaz is perceptive. He went through the trouble of finding me.

I’m not entirely sure how he did that, and he took a pay cut, giving up his adoring fans and popularity in Los Angeles to come to Nashville.

He’s coming here for me. Not because he loves me, but he lost the control he once had over me, and that’s eating at him.

He’s not going to be deterred that easily. ”

Her tone is defeated, and I hate it. I want the smiling, happy Rowan back. I don’t like her being sad. I tell myself I’d feel this way if any woman or friend were sitting next to me, but if I’m being truthful with myself, I’m not so sure that’s the reason why.

“It’s worth a shot, right? Maybe he’ll back off?” Corie offers.

Rowan shrugs. “Maybe, but I don’t think he will. Honestly, I should start looking for another job. Maybe in a city that doesn’t have a team in the league,” Rowan mutters.

“No,” Corie and Sloane cry out.

“Not yet,” Corie tells her. “Let’s just see how this all shakes out. The guys will be there. You’re not alone anymore, Rowan. You’ve got us, and he won’t touch you,” Corie says, her voice fierce.

My little sister loves with her entire heart. She looks back at her husband, and Knox nods in response. He’s going to do whatever it takes to keep Rowan safe, all from a single look from my sister.

“You have all of us,” I tell her. I continue to draw circles on her knee with my thumb. I know all eyes are on us, on me, but I don’t let that stop me. Her skin… it’s so fucking soft. I don’t think I’ve ever felt skin so similar to silk before.

“You’re starting over again because of him,” Foster tells her. His words are more like a demand, and something tells me it’s not just Rowan’s story he’s thinking about.

“Thank you,” Rowan says. She lifts her head and glances at every one of us.

I watch as her gaze roams around the table until, finally, they land on mine. Her light blue eyes shine with the wetness of her tears, and all I want to do is make it better. I want to take that fear that I see lurking away from her.

“I’ve never had people,” she says. “Not people who were mine. I know that sounds silly.” She smiles shyly.

“My foster families, they got paid to let me live with them. Chaz—well, you know how that turned out. His friends were mine by association. I thought at one time they were mine as well, but my life was his. It was his world, and I was just living in it. Moving to Nashville was supposed to be a chance for me to live for myself. My fresh start. My time to make choices and friends and move forward.” She pauses, and I watch as her throat bobs with effort as she swallows.

Why do I have the sudden urge to kiss her?

“Thank you for your kind words and support.”

“Well, you’re welcome,” Baker tells her. “But you have to stop apologizing. We’re your people, after all.” He offers her a wink, and the urge to reach across the table and slap the wink right off his face is strong.

What’s going on?

Why am I acting this way?

Rowan flashes him a watery smile, and I squeeze her hand, needing her eyes on mine. She glances at me, and her gaze softens, as does something inside my chest with that single look.

“You need a break?” I ask, keeping my voice low, just between us. She nods, and I stand, her hand in mine. “Be right back,” I say to our friends, knowing damn well they’re going to have questions—lots of questions that I don’t have answers to.

That doesn’t stop me.

With my hand wrapped around hers, I lead her into the house. Once we’re in the kitchen, I move to the island and turn to face her. I don’t know why I do it, but I grip her hips, lift her on the island, and step between her thighs.

She’s not mine.

But I still have this urge to be close to her.

Bracing my hands on the island on either side of her, I stare into her beautiful blue eyes.

“Are you okay?” I don’t know why these are the words that chose to come out of my mouth.

Of course she’s not okay. She just bared her soul to us, people she’s known for a short while.

Sure, she’s been around more lately, as my sister and Sloane have taken her under their wings, but she doesn’t have that bond that the rest of us have.

Not yet.

She’ll get there.

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Talk to me,” I say softly, fighting the urge to wrap my arms around her.

“You have better things to do than listen to me yammer on about my ex.”

“I’m exactly where I want to be.” The words surprise me, but they’re true. I can’t think of a single place I’d rather be than right here with her.

“I’m scared. He’s every bit the asshole his reputation says he is. He’s not going to stop until he gets what he wants, and what he wants is me. Not because he loves me, but because I got away.”

“I won’t let him get to you. Me and the guys, we’re going to be there with you. Maybe we should go to the team and tell them what happened to ensure you never have to work on him,” I suggest.

“No. I don’t want to draw more attention to me. Besides, it’s his word against mine.”

“You have medical records.”

“And I have the lie I told. I was too scared to come forward. All I had was me, and I had to protect myself. I checked out and never looked back.” Her voice quivers. “Why won’t he just leave me alone?” she asks as a single tear slides down her cheek.

Slowly, I raise my hand and wipe her cheek with my thumb.

I have the sudden urge to taste her tears, and even in my head, that sounds creepy as fuck, and stalkerish, so I refrain.

“He won’t hurt you ever again.” There’s conviction in my tone, and from the way her eyes slightly widen, I know she hears it and she understands: Not on my watch.

I don’t know why I’m suddenly feeling so protective over her, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let that asshole touch her. Not a single hair on her head.

“I don’t know why, but I believe you,” she murmurs. “I don’t trust easily, and yet, here I am, letting you convince me it’s all going to be okay when I’m certain it’s going to be a complete shit show.”

“You’re a Rampage now. We’ve got you.”

I’ve got you.

“He’s a Rampage too,” she reminds me, and the sadness in her tone tears my heart to shreds.

“He might be wearing the jersey, but it’s in here”—I place my hand gently over her heart—“where being a Rampage comes from. He’s not one and never will be.”

Rowan tilts her head to the side and studies me. She’s quiet for so long that I fight the urge to squirm under her gaze.

“My heart told me to come back to Tennessee. It’s where I grew up, and the closest thing to home I’ve ever had.

I don’t know why my journey led me to Nashville specifically, since this is not where I’m from, but I do know that I will forever be grateful for you and your friends and family coming into my life. ”

I don’t tell her that my only family is Corie, well, and now Knox by marriage. We’ve had enough heavy for one night.

“That’s easy.” I shrug. “You belong here.” This time, it’s me who is tossing her a wink, and the smile she gifts me with hits me in the chest.

“Thank you, Landry.”