Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
He swallows. ‘I spoke to Jake last night. Before you left. He reminds me a little of me at that age. The day I met Ally at college, I knew I was never gonna want anyone else. But I’m not lying when I say you are holding that guy’s heart in your hands.
He’s willing to throw it all away for you.
That’s how much power you have over him right now.
He’s so in love with you, he’s quit caring about his career, or how much talent he has on the field. ’
I hear a ding sound, signalling that the elevator has arrived. Except I can’t move. I stare at Dalton Briar in the lobby of the condo, unable to respond to what he’s just told me.
He cocks his head toward the open elevator, indicating that I should go in first. When I walk inside, my legs feel like lead.
This whole time, I’d been so scared of falling for Jake.
Of giving my heart to him and risking everything.
I was so worried, I hadn’t even noticed he’d given his heart to me about three times over.
It might not say so in his contract, but he’s also taken a risk by falling for me.
‘This probably comes from a place of selfishness,’ Dalton continues as I hit the correct floor button and the doors close in front of us, ‘but Jake’s the Mutineers’ MVP right now.
Without him, we’d have lost every single one of our opening games.
He’s the reason we’re on top, and we can’t lose him. ’
‘Are you asking me if I’m in love with Jake?’
Dalton shrugs. ‘I guess that’s what I’m asking. And if you’re not… just to let him down easy.’
I break out into a smile. I can’t help it, even though we’re climbing closer toward the wolf’s lair. ‘If I’m holding Jake’s heart in my hands, then I promise not to drop it. I promise to take very good care of it, for a very long time.’
Dalton smiles at me. ‘Okay, that’s a relief.’
‘And for the record? After tonight, if I’m fired from the CMC, then so be it.’
Dalton sobers, like he’s just remembered why we’re really here. ‘Let’s hope that’s not gonna happen.’
We grind to a halt. The elevator doors open and Dalton follows me out. Wordlessly, I point to the door and I know we need to move fast.
‘Just liked we talked about, remember?’ Dalton whispers and moves ahead of me.
I note that he’s light on his feet. He takes up position, flattening himself against the wall to the left side of the door, arms by his sides, head turned toward the door.
I take a gulp of breath and gather my strength.
I have no idea how this is gonna go. I don’t want to be the person responsible for the legendary Dalton Briar having his contract cancelled.
Reaching up, I press one finger on the doorbell.
I can hear music playing inside. I know he’ll check the spy hole. There’s movement at floor level before the door opens.
Brody Conway stands there in grey suit pants and a white shirt with the collar open, dark hair falling into his eyes. He’s holding a drink and it’s clear that he’s pleased to see me.
‘Hello, Serenity,’ he says in a husky tone.
One second later, I take a small step back.
Everything happens quickly. I see Dalton move right on cue, lightning fast over the threshold. I can only see his broad back, but I see the glass drop from Brody’s hands and hit the marble floor, shattering on impact.
I follow inside and close the door behind us, stepping over the pieces of glass.
Dalton hasn’t touched Brody, who’s backed away fast, hands in the air like this is a stick up. But he’s backed himself all the way into a wall, Dalton bearing down on him.
‘Not quite who you were expecting, huh, Brody?’ Dalton grinds out, their faces close.
I didn’t know if Brody would be frightened of the Mutineers’ captain, but the color has drained from his face, and his suave demeanor has evaporated.
‘Did you think we wouldn’t find out about you?’ Dalton continues, and even in the low light, I can see the fury in his eyes. ‘That you thought you could get away with it this time? I got news for you. You fucked with the wrong people.’
My heart beats faster at Brody’s level of fear. ‘Please… I meant nothing by it. Please don’t tell my mom about this.’
Dalton takes a step closer. Brody lets out a terrified whine. ‘Worried about your inheritance, you low-life piece of shit? Mommy won’t be impressed, huh? Seems you care more about that than your brand-new wife finding out what kind of excuse for a man you are.’
Brody’s broken out in a sweat and Dalton hasn’t even laid a hand on him. His eyes flit to me. ‘I’ll not say another word to Serenity, I swear it. I’ll never contact you again.’
‘Where’s Persia’s uniform?’ I demand.
He swallows. ‘In the bedroom. Can you both just please leave?’
‘Do you need it?’ Dalton questions me.
‘I’d like to get it back.’
‘Go, quickly,’ Dalton orders. ‘Gives me a chance to talk to Brody about what he did to my wife.’
‘Oh god,’ Brody snivels. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’
I race to the bedroom. Brody’s lit candles around the bed.
There’s a pack of condoms lying atop the sheets.
Next to it is Persia’s CMC uniform and a set of red lingerie, all laid out for me.
He was going to have me wear all of it. Without contemplating what might have happened, I scoop up Persia’s uniform and go to leave the room.
After a moment of consideration, I turn back and grab the box of condoms too and push everything into my bag.
When I go back out into the main living area, Dalton hovers over Brody. Neither man says a word.
‘You done?’ Dalton asks me.
‘I’m done.’
Dalton backs away from Brody. ‘Just like I said,’ he says to him, before he takes me by the elbow and ushers me out the door. I don’t look back.
The same elevator is ready and waiting to take us back down.
Dalton checks his phone. ‘They’re downstairs in the lot,’ he says, punching the button for the basement.
‘You didn’t lay a finger on him,’ I say once the doors have closed.
Dalton takes a moment to respond. ‘Didn’t need to,’ he sniffs. ‘I break a finger… that’s my season over. Plus, he ain’t worth the punch.’
I press my lips together. ‘What did you say to him? When I went to the bedroom?’
‘I told him to watch his back. Because the moment my NFL career is over, his ass is grass.’
‘I’m sure he’ll sleep well tonight.’
‘You get any more messages from him…’
‘You and Jake will be the first to know. I promise.’
Dalton shifts his stance. ‘Okay, maybe don’t tell Jake. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold him back for a second time.’
When the doors to the elevator open, we’re in the basement parking lot. I recognize it from before. When we emerge, I see Jake in the distance, waiting for me by the pickup, a hopeful smile appearing on his face when he sees me.
I walk quickly toward him and before I know it, he’s swept me into his arms. The relief is almost overwhelming. His lips are soft and warm and welcoming – everything I want and need – and I cling to him.
He pulls back and searches my face. ‘Everything alright?’ he asks. ‘How did it go? You were quicker than I expected.’
While he’s still talking, I nod my head furiously. ‘Dalton didn’t even need to touch him. He was terrified.’
Jake’s attention flits to Dalton, who has moved up behind me. ‘Good. Can’t thank you enough, Cap.’
Ally has come over too and tucked herself into Dalton’s side. He gives a shrug. ‘Yeah, well, didn’t wanna break a nail,’ he says. ‘Now get outta here, both of yous.’
We say our goodbyes and head for the pickup.
On the route home, I tell Jake everything that took place, except for the part about Dalton telling me I had his running back’s heart in my hands.
Nearing Temptation Heights, he goes quiet.
‘Maybe drop me a couple of blocks from my place?’ I suggest quietly.
He blows out his cheeks, and I know he doesn’t like it.
‘Guess we can’t have people keep seeing this truck in my driveway,’ I add solemnly.
‘I know,’ he responds.
I know Temptation like the back of my hand. I grew up in this dog-eared neighborhood. Rode my bike around these tired roads.
‘Take the next left,’ I say to Jake.
He frowns.
‘I’m taking us a different route.’
He does as he’s told. Soon, the place I’m looking for comes into view. Not that it’s really visible from the road.
‘There’s another left coming up.’
‘I can’t see a damn thing,’ he says.
I point. ‘There. See it? Turn in here.’
We’re in a disused lot where weeds grow out between the paving slabs, lined by some tall trees. There’s only one streetlamp, and most of the time it flickers, a little broken, like everything else in Temptation Heights.
Jake kills the engine. He peers out the windshield. ‘What is this place?’
I unbuckle myself and lift my hips, wriggling out my panties and sliding them over the rim of my boots. In the dim light, I hold him up my lacy underwear.
‘I think we need a celebration,’ I say with a smile. ‘You ever had sex in a truck, Jake Walsh?’