Page 35 of Triple Power Play 3
He appears to be in his late thirties, with salt-and-pepper hair and a sharp gray suit. Next to him is a blonde woman, about the same age. Until now, their backs had been to us as they chatted and sipped wine. I caught him sneaking glimpses at Aurora, but that’s expected.
“Aurora Embers.” She gives him a charming smile. “Nothing special, I promise.”
The woman’s head snaps around, her mouth agape, eyes burning with unmasked hostility, and Aurora practically burrows herself into my side.
Gray Suit extends his hand, seeing only Aurora. “Trent, agent and friend of Coach Blackwood, and I highly doubt that.”
Coach Blackwood.Not Ethan, meaning he failed to tell Trent who Aurora is to him. You know, the mother of his child and girlfriend.
Aurora sets down the bottle of water and gracefully takes his hand. “Nice to meet you. Thank you for allowing us to use your suite.”
“Not a problem. Coach said you’d be as quiet as a mouse, but he didn’t mention how stunning you are.”
She presses her lips together and shakes her head in amusement.
“I bet you get that a lot, though.” He winks.
The scoff that escapes me is louder than intended and full of annoyance. “She isn’t the one, not unless you wanna eat a hockey puck traveling at a hundred miles an hour.”
He forces a laugh. “Oh, I knowallabout her husband.” He smirks at Aurora. “And you.”
Somehow, I doubt that, not with the way he’s flirting.
The blonde scrutinizes Aurora’s outfit, and her lip curls. “Who are you?” Her Boston accent is as thick as molasses.
Aurora squares her shoulders, no longer charismatic or amused. “I’m a model and Jackson O’Reilly’s wife.”
Oblivious, Trent snorts. “She’s being modest. She was on the cover ofSports Illustratedand featured inMaxim’sHot 100 this year.”
I’m starting to hate this guy.
The woman gives Aurora another once-over, paying close attention to her rounded stomach, and sets down her wine glass. “You’re married?” Her brows rise. “This is a joke, right?” Her shrill words hang in the air, the room going silent. “Did he really think putting you in hisagent’ssuite would hide you from me?” She enunciates each word with clipped precision, her voice seething with barely contained fury. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for the day he tried to show off his whore.”
My muscles tense, a coiled spring ready to snap. “Excuse me? I don’t care who you are—don’t threaten her, not even slightly.”
Trent puts an arm between us. “Whoa, hold up.”
Blondie’s furious glare shifts to him. “Did my ex put her in here?”
“Yeah? She’s a guest of mine. Is there a problem?”
Aurora embraces me, her eyes wide with panic, her hands gripping my shirt beneath my leather jacket.“¿Nos vamos?” she whispers. “Please?”
She wants to leave. I have no idea how she suspected I understood Spanish. I know what I need to communicate effectively on the job, but I’m not fluent by any means.
Behind her, Ethan’s ex continues to rant. “Only that she’s carrying my ex’slovechild.” Her voice rises for all to hear. “Speaking of…how far along are you exactly? Far enough to force him into a divorce? Is it even his?”
Aurora’s eyes well up, and she swallows hard. Forgetting all about the food and stellar conversation, I guide her out the door.
From the corner of my eye, I watch Ethan’s ex follow us. I dip my head, my hand on the small of Aurora’s back. “Don’t answer. Don’t engage.”
We get to the elevator, and the blonde opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.
“I’m not only her security detail, I’m also a federal agent. Keep talking, and I’ll have you charged with harassment. You touch her, I’ll personally escort you out of this building in handcuffs, and it won’t be pretty.”
She raises her hands in mock surrender. “No harassment.” An ugly grin plays on her lips. “I thought Aurora might want to exchange addresses for Christmas cards. We’re family, aren’t we? Considering her child and I will share a last name.”
I should keep my mouth shut, but I can’t. “Wow. I see why he divorced you.”
