Page 150 of Renegade Ruin

Panic grips my spine, and I feel the telltale signs of an anxiety attack rising—my heart rate spikes, my mouth goes dry, andmy mind spins. Bishop just wrapped a reason to trade him in a bright, shiny bow and handed it to Vaughn. It doesn’t matter now if I sign over the team. He got what he wanted and has no reason not to out us too.

I wrap my arms around myself and smooth the skin on my biceps, pretending, if only in my mind, that they are Bishop’s arms. His hands.

Breathe, Kitten,he’d say.We have a plan. I’m not going anywhere.

But he can’t possibly know that.

I drop my chin to my chest and heave a defeated sigh.

“Three more innings, Wills, then you can go be the hero. But right now, Luca’s right. You need to keep your nose clean and let the team handle Bishop.”

Out of the corner of my eye I see Leigh grimace, and I assume it's from Indie’s mention of a certain tall Italian owner.

“Are you going to tell us why you hate Luca so much?” I mutter, grasping for something to occupy my mind. There hasn’t been a chance for me to press her about the reaction she had to him yesterday at the game, or his claims they’ve met before.

She exhales a heavy sigh. “No.”

“Not even if it distracts me from staging a jailbreak and heading down to the clubhouse right now?”

Leigh lets out a ragged exhale. “Remember how you didn’t tell us about Bishop because you needed to protect your heart?”

I wince. That’s not exactly how I said it, but Leigh can read between the lines.

“I need that space in regards to Luca.”

Stepping forward, I wrap my arms around her, burying my nose in her blonde hair. “I get it. We’re here when you need us.”

Indie joins our hug and snorts. “You guys and fucking men. This is why you won’t see me waste more than a night on a trouser snake.”

That has us all giggling.

“Really? Trouser snake, Indie?” Leigh snickers.

Indie shrugs and untangles herself. “Real men get the luxury of having a cock. And even then, never for more than one night.”

I shake my head. Being an actress, Indie has had a rough go in the men department. Too often, they only see the stars next to her name and a social ladder to climb. It breaks my heart that it’s jaded her. I hold on to the fact that I know she still believes in romance. Deep down, in the part that clings to the romance books we read, she yearns for more. Hopefully someday, someone will give her the love she deserves.

“That was a bullshit call,” a gruff man with a beer belly bellows from the seats in front of our suite.

We turn to see the end of the inning, with Elliot Stone shaking his head as he walks back to the dugout.

Two more and I can head to the clubhouse.

“Come on.” Indie leans in and bumps my shoulder, then does the same to Leigh. “Let’s order a round of margaritas to take the edge off.”

Leigh and I nod, but my stomach rolls. Everything is falling into place, but I can only hope it will be enough.

Luca and I spent the five hours between the team meeting and the game making phone calls to every owner we could get a hold of. We shared with them my relationship with Bishop and asked for their support. Many of them shrugged us off, remarking they wouldn’t go on the record saying they approved but agreed they wouldn’t fight any ruling made by the commissioner. A few vehemently disagreed and will no doubt be vocal against us. Only three congratulated me.

When it came to telling them about Vaughn, they were hesitant to believe us. After Luca shared the contents of his meeting and the recording with them, they unanimously agreed if I didn’t fire him they would make sure the commissioner did.If there’s one thing the league takes seriously, it’s cheating. I find it funny because they all cheat in small ways every day—pitchers with tar hidden on their gloves or forearms, base coaches watching the pitchers grip and giving the batter a tip—they just don’t get caught. It’s a catch twenty-two, but it’s a small win and I’ll take it.

I’m back in my seat, still waiting on that margarita, when my phone buzzes.

LUCA: Clubhouse. Now. Vaughn is heading down with the commissioner.

“Shit.”

“What?” Leigh looks up questioningly, but I’m already out of my seat.

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