Page 29 of Triple Power Play 3
Ethan
She asked me to get you back in exchange for her not working.
As her bodyguard?
I haven’t a clue why I question it. Wishful thinking? Of course, it’s as her bodyguard. What else would it be?
He lifts his head to consider her downcast expression.
Ethan
You and I both know it’s more.
I’m not stupid. I understand she’ll never betray them, and I’m okay with that. I simply want to be there—or so I tell myself…repeatedly.
I’m in NYC. Let’s meet.
He rolls his neck and pays the check before answering.
Ethan
You try to take her from us or harm Jackson, and you’ll never see her again.
We meet at the hotel restaurant after the game. I have little time to plead my case, since the team is leaving tonight for Boston. If all goes well and we don’t kill each other, I’ll travel with them.
Jax slides into the booth across from me. He’s immediately agitated, his knee bouncing and his fingers dragging through his damp hair. “If this is about Aurora, the answer is no. We’re married.”
I guess we’re jumping headfirst into the bullshit. No longer hiding and knowing he’s not about to re-injure his hand with Ethan beside him, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “That’s fine. Doesn’t mean I won’t get down on one knee and propose to her someday.”
He tips his head back, a manic edge to his bark of laughter. “Why would you? You can’t marry her.”
Ethan inches toward Jax, resting his elbows on the table and subtly shielding his bestie, prepared to intervene if necessary.
Undeterred, I lean in. “Because she deserves it. People have commitment ceremonies without actually getting married. It’s symbolic.”
“Oh shit.” Jackson chuckles and shakes his head. “You’re crazier than I am.”
“Really? Tell me she hasn’t expressed wanting a proposal from you. Did you get down on one knee?” I turn to Ethan, whose expression is sour. “And an actual commitment from you. She wants the gesture, I guarantee it.”
They exchange a glance that wipes the smug grin off Jackson’s face.
“Are you fucking delusional?” he snarls, no longer snarky now that I’ve called them both out.
I kick back in the seat and cross my arms over my chest. “Calm down. I have no plans to steal her from you. I’m here to keep her safe—and you.”
His lip curls. “Like fuck you are. You can’t stay away. You’re here to weasel your way in.”
“What?” I smirk mockingly and shrug. “Your wife isn’t allowed to have friends?”
“Friends, my ass.”
My smile grows; I’m enjoying how easy he is to annoy. “Doesn’t matter. You need me.”
Ethan’s jaw clenches so tightly, his temples visibly throb. “This is your pitch? Talking in circles? Being manipulative?”
My body stiffens. If Jax thinks I’m manipulative like his father, he’ll never trust me. He needs to know I’m on his side, and a part of him must want what’s best for Aurora—even if that includes me.
“I’m not trying to manipulate you. I was with her when neither of you were. First, it was hockey and her modeling, then it was your relapse. I’ve always been there for her. I was by her side when she was anxious about seeing Ethan again, standing outside his door, taking deep breaths. I listened to her cry herself to sleep night after night in New York. I was the one who held her after she saw the pictures?—”
