Page 23 of Twisted Play

EVA

Professional development,my ample ass. I’d managed to avoid Alek for the first week of classes and practices, still furious at myself for giving in and sucking his cock so I could get this job. When Dr. Parker told me I had a meeting with him before evening practice, in his formal office upstairs, I knew my grace period had ended.

I smoothed my hands over my clothes—track pants and an oversized t-shirt with the university logo on it, hating the fleeting wish that I’d worn sexier underwear. Alek was a disgusting asshole, taking advantage of a student almost two decades younger than him, and I shouldn’t want to impress him.

But I did.

Dammit.

The door to his office was cracked open, but I still raised my hand to knock.Thud, thud, thud, went my hand against the frosted glass door.

“Come in,” his commanding voice said, and my feet moved before I realized I obeyed.

He sat on the corner of his desk, one foot planted on the ground, the other dangling, his shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing the black ink that covered his hands and forearms. Did it cover him everywhere? My eyes roved over his strong shoulders and thick biceps as his did the same to me, catching on my breasts, my hips. I licked my lips, and his eyes darkened.

Stop, Eva. Fucking gross.

“I’m sorry I’m la—” I began, before I realized he wasn’t alone in the room. Jedediah Carter stood close to the wall, looking at the photos of the teams Alek had worked with and played on. “Oh,” I whispered as terror shot through me.

Two powerful men.

Two blackmailers.

One broke-ass student who just wanted to pay off her father’s debt, graduate, and go to med school.

I was so fucked.

“I’ll come back,” I whispered, my calm deserting me. I took a step backward, unable to conquer the fear that overcame me.

“No need,” Carter said, his eyes narrowing. “I was reviewing the team’s medical protocols with Coach Nivokov. We want to ensure everyone stays…” He smiled with a predator’s teeth. “We want to make sure everyone stays healthy this season.”

The weight of unspoken menace pressed against my chest. Carter moved closer, forcing me to step sideways toward Alek. The leather of his Italian shoes whispered against the carpet.

“I’m sure Ms. Jackson will be quite thorough in her duties,” Alek said, his voice carrying a warning I couldn’t decipher.

I’m here because you forced me!I wanted to scream atCarter.I’m not doing anything wrong!Except I didn’t think sucking the coach’s cock was what Carter meant when he told me he expected me to destroy the team from within.

“Ms. Jackson, please take a seat,” Alek said, his deep voice washing over me like a wave of calm. Keeping my eyes on Jedediah, I inched toward Alek, as if he could protect me from the greater evil.

Alek watched me, his expression neutral, giving me no insight into what he was thinking. When I reached him, he gestured to one of the chairs facing his desk and told me, “Sit.”

I nodded, but didn’t move, refusing to give Jedediah my back, my instincts overcoming my good sense. Alek stood from where he leaned on the desk and stepped forward, blocking Jedediah’s view of me with his body. It couldn’t have been intentional, but my shoulders relaxed all the same.

“Thank you for stopping by,” Alek told him.

Carter paused at the door. “I look forward to seeing more of you, Ms. Jackson.”

“Of course,” I managed, hating the slight waver in my voice.

“Think about what we discussed,” Carter told Alek then left, the scent of his cologne lingering like a threat.

The door clicked shut with dreadful finality. Alek remained motionless, a solid wall of muscle between me and where Carter had stood. My knees wobbled, but I refused to show weakness.

“Sit.” Alek’s command cut through my rising panic.

I couldn’t. If I sat, I’d be trapped. If I ran—Carter would—my father would?—

“I said sit, malyshka.”