Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,37

with a smile. “But until then, you deserve one. You get several weeks off a year during your term. Take a week off, go somewhere you can relax.”

Chewing on my thumbnail, I debate the suggestion. “Maybe Taeler could come with me. Somewhere for Christmas would be fun, and she’ll be out of school for the long break. Somewhere warm maybe.”

His smile widens, displaying his straight white teeth. “That's a great idea. Past presidents have visited Hawaii, which means there’s housing with the level of security we would need.”

My head bobs as the idea takes root. “Let's do it. I'll talk to my secretary about the arrangements, and T can work out the security details with her. Four months’ planning should be enough, right?”

Trey nods.

“Planning for what?”

I gasp in surprise as Trey reaches for the gun nestled beneath his suit jacket while turning toward the door. Kyle steps through the parted french doors, broad smile stretched across his arrogant face. His gaze flicks between Trey and me as he pauses behind a red velvet wingback chair.

“Benson. Walmart,” he says in way of greeting. Rounding the Victorian-looking chair, he unbuttons his suit jacket and folds down into the stiff cushions, the picture of ease.

Trey looks to me. “Were you expecting him?”

I shake my head.

“What are you doing here, Kyle?” I snarl. My hands shake with nerves and fear races through my veins just at the sight of him. Rolling my shoulders, I push off the wall, marching across the room toward him when every cell in my body screams at me to run in the opposite direction.

“Came by to see how you were doing. I heard about the… incident.” He smirks.

“Incident,” I say with a snort.

“You look well enough. Must not have been as bad as the media was making it out to be.”

“We had it under control,” Trey says close behind me.

A tense pause pulses through the room.

“That's reassuring,” Kyle finally says. Brushing off a fleck of white lint from his otherwise pristine black suit pants, he raises his blue eyes to mine. “Seems your protection team is always in the right place at the right time”

I nod and shrug. “It's their job, isn't it?”

His hard gaze shifts over my shoulder. “It is. And here I thought you were nothing more than a rent-a-cop, Benson. Looks like you're useful after all.”

A low growl vibrates against my back.

“I came to warn you, Walmart.” Kyle sneers.

“Seriously?” I choke out. “You. Warn me. Against… what?”

“Not what. Who. I hear you've made some unsavory friends.”

Well, hell, that doesn't really narrow it down.

Russians?

DOJ?

Trey's mom?

It's a growing list.

“And if I did, why would that be any of your concern?” I ask. The plush cushions give under my weight as I drop to the couch and lean back like I'm not the tense ball of nerves that I am.

Something cold flashes behind his eyes. “Have you not learned your lesson? This city is not some damn hick town in Texas. These people play for blood and money, and you sure as hell can’t pay with cash. Take my advice, Randi. Not only are you in the wrong league here, you're in the wrong fucking game.”

“But the game is so fun,” I tease.

“You’re a damn fool.” Pursing his lips, he slides them back and forth, almost like he’s debating telling me more. “Just stay the hell out of my business, or it won't matter who you've fucked to keep you safe. No one will be able to protect you.”

“Is that a threat?” Trey's deep voice promises pain as he takes a challenging step toward Kyle.

“Take it how you want, but know this. If you don't keep her trailer trash ass out of my affairs, there will be no more warnings.”

“This trailer trash ass isn't stupid.” Both men shift their laser focus to me. Stretching my arms back along the couch, I give Kyle my best conniving smile. “You're doing something behind my back that's… unsavory at best, illegal at worst. However, I specifically remember signing an agreement stating I'd support you through the campaign and after. If I break said contract, I owe you a shit ton of money, which, as you know, I don't have.”

Kyle's eyes narrow. “Surely you don't expect me to believe that.”

I lift a shoulder. “Believe what you want. I stopped the bill.” I smirk. “Now all I want to do is focus on my other projects. Yes, the DOJ came to me asking for my help investigating something to do with you, which I’m