Page 30 of Triple Power Play 3
“Enough,” Ethan growls. “Stop with the guilt trip.”
I inhale deeply, allowing the air to expand my lungs as I recall my reason for being here. “All I’m saying is, she’s my priority, and she deserves to be cared for. You struggle without me.”
Jax rolls his eyes, unconvinced, and I snap.
“Kyle had someone watching you, watching us all. You have evidence, right? Evidence worth harming you for—orher? I’ll protect you. She loves you. She’dneverleave you. Why the fuck are you so worried?”
Ethan skewers me with his intense gaze, his body looming over the table, his tone dropping to a lethal level. “Don’t thinkI’mreplaceable. You have no idea what I’m capable of. I’ll go to great lengths to protect what’s mine.”
What’s mine, as in Jackson too. They’re fiercely loyal to one another, far more than so-called friends. If I hadn’t let Jax kick my ass, if I’d defended myself and wounded him, Ethan would’ve slit my throat. I’d be lying next to Kyle.
“Believe me, I know. I’m not trying to be killed. I’m on the job, but I can protect you. I can protect her.” My attention shifts to Jackson. “Aurora’s safety is still a priority, right? We need to go over what I found at Kyle’s, including your iPhone.”
13
ETHAN
We step off the elevator and onto our floor.
“This is a bad fucking idea,” Jackson hisses.
I follow close behind, trying to keep up with his angry pace. “What do you want to do? You heard what he said about your father, and we can’t be with her twenty-four seven.”
He throws his arms up. “He wants her. It’s going to fuck up what we have.”
“It doesn’t have to. Aren’t you happier when she’s taken care of? When she’s safe? I know I am, and you play better when she’s in the stands smiling.”
Do I like Reece? No more than anyone else. Does Aurora? Obviously. Can I ignore him? Probably. I do most of the time. Is he useful? Will he protect them? Absolutely, and that’s what matters.
Jax and I can focus on hockey and Aurora without all the worry and complications. Reece can give her all the flowery shit.
“That doesn’t mean we should add him to our relationship.” He stops at my door. “This,” he gestures between us, “is perfect.”
I swipe my key card and push open the door. We need to get to Boston. We’re already running late, as usual, and still, he doesn’t go to his room. He follows me in.
“You and I spend a lot of time together. We haven’t always gotten along.” I recall the days he was throwing helmets at me and smirk. “It took time.” I grab my partially packed bag from the floor and toss it onto the bed. “And I’m not suggesting we add him,” I tack on, because I’m not.
I have no idea how this will play out. It’s up to Aurora. My priority is having someone with her while we travel, someone who’ll make sure she eats and has everything she needs.
She’s comfortable with Reece. They were alone for months and never crossed the line. Why would they now? She’d never betray us.
Jax cocks his head and furrows his brows. “You think it’s the same? You think if I spend time with him, he’ll become you?” He rakes his fingers through his perfectly tousled hair. “He’ll only tear us apart.”
I grip his shoulder and give the tight muscle a squeeze. “I won’t let that happen. Now, go pack.” I unzip my duffle and pull out a hoodie. “I promised Aurora I’d stay with you two tonight.”
“Does this mean nothing to you?” His voice elevates, taking on an edge of panic. “I’m not sharing a bed with him.”
“Calm down.” I shrug off my suit jacket and lay it on the bed then kick off my dress shoes. “He doesn’t want us, only Aurora.”
“Calm down? Seriously? Do you want him?”
My head snaps up, and I blink at Jax. “What?”
He thrusts a hand in my direction. “Will you be sleeping with him? Fucking Aurora with him?”
“No,” I stretch out the word. “What in the world is going on?”
“You fuck her with me. Why not with him?”
