Page 87 of Dirty Play

~ROWAN~

One week. For seven damn days, I’ve been a ball of restless energy, consumed by thoughts of Livia. The fallout from my stupid, impulsive decision lingers and has possessed me. I can’t shake the gut-wrenching feeling that I’ve lost something vital. I can’t play. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat properly. The guys see it. Avery sees it. I see it.

I tried calling Livia, and I’m pretty sure she’s blocked my number. I went over to her place, and she wasn’t home. So, I’ve been doing the only other thing I could think of.

I’ve spent hours diving into stats, meticulously creating charts that showcase Livia’s impact on the team, the kind of data that should scream for her return.

The charity ball she organized? I found out it didn’t just elevate our team. It turned us into a trending topic. People are talking about the Panthers like never before. While the previous PR agent struggled to coax me into a single interview, Livia had me talking to cameras and fans like a damn open book. She didn’t just sell us; she made us relatable, human.

I stride through the Panthers’ headquarters, my heart pounding with determination. The folders in my hand are a weapon to get my girl her career back. I’ll make them see her through the team’s eyes.

As I approach the HR office, I see her. Alegra. That smug, sultry smile of hers pulls a sneer from me, making my skin crawl. I already know she’s the snake who reported us, who went to Christina. I saw the way she watched me dance with Livia at the charity ball. Saw that anger in her eyes when I rejected her advances. I knew then she was going to do something fucking shady, but this? This is next level.

Her friendship with Christina? The yacht parties, the gossip-fueled cocktails? I don’t need to put a magnifying glass on it to know what’s been happening behind the scenes.

“Rowan,” she purrs, her voice dripping with that fake seduction she thinks is charming. “How’s our captain?”

“Ah, I was hoping to run into you.” I greet her, my voice low and edged with fury.

“You were?” Her eyes flash as she stops in front of me. “Finally coming to your senses?”

“Does it feel good to fuck people over?” I answer her question with one of my own. “When you can’t get what you want, is that what you do? Or was that a one-time special?”

“I don’t understand.” She shakes her head with the same smile plastered on her botched face.

“You reported us to HR.” I don’t have time to ease into it.

Her smile falters for a moment, surprise flashing in her eyes before she masks it with a sly smile.

“I just wanted to eliminate any distractions for you. With Livia Moody gone, you can focus on what really matters.” As she drags a nail down my chest, I grab her wrist, twisting it just enough to show the boundaries, pushing her away with a cold glare.

“What really matters?” I echo with a raised brow. “You mean your pathetic attempts to get my attention? You’re a bad joke, Alegra, and it’s as sad as it gets.”

“Excuse me?” Her smile is fully gone now, a scowl in its place.

“You can’t stand seeing a woman outshine you, can you? Especially when she doesn’t have to suck dick to make it happen.”

“Doesn’t she?” Alegra narrows her eyes, the facade cracking as anger bubbles beneath her skin. “Isn’t that exactly what she’s been doing, Rowan?”

“Jealous?” I ask, stepping closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “No matter how many times you throw yourself at me, you’ll never know what my dick feels like down your throat.”

“You’re delusional,” she scoffs, her face turning bright red. “I wasn’t throwing myself at you at all. The fact that you see a gorgeous woman and immediately think that she wants to sleep with you is absurd.”

“Is the gorgeous woman in the room with us right now?” I lean in, my breath hot against her ear. “You think I won’t tell? You keep popping up, cornering me, dragging your hand all over me. Do you know how easily I can turn you to dust, Alegra? I’ll sue you for sexual harassment, and I’ll sue you into fucking hell, and trust me, your husband won’t appreciate it when I drop the bombshell.”

I take a step back, my eyes boring into hers, the reality of my words hanging heavy in the air.

“Are you threatening me?” she asks behind gritted teeth.

“You came after the wrong person. The person I care about,” I reply simply. “And I’ve got enough dirt on you to bury you six feet under. The only reason I haven’t yet is because your husband is a good man who made a poor choice when he married you. You’re a joke, Alegra—a walking cliché. You’re not half the woman Livia is, and deep down, you know it. Next time you look my way, you’re done. No more free passes. I’ll be watching, and if I see you lay a finger or even look at one of my guys, I’ll drag your ass through the mud until you wish you never crossed me. Not even the fucking rookies. Do you hear me?”

“How dare you speak to me like this?” she grits out, her tiny shoulders squared. “I’ll have my husband bench you for this.”

“Try and fail. I’m more valuable to your husband than you are.”

With that, I turn and walk away. I’ve made myself clear enough. One more second in her presence, I’ll start losing brain cells.

Clutching the folder in my hand, I make my way to the meeting I called with HR and the manager. I don’t know if what I’ll do will be enough, but I know that I’ll fucking fight tooth and nail for this woman. My woman.

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