Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,59

and shoots a death glare at Kyle, who simply smiles wider—well, as wide as his plastic face will allow him nowadays—and folds his arms across his chest

“I thought you’d like getting to spend the holiday with your beautiful daughter, Randi. It’s a shame this is the first time we’re all getting to meet her. Isn’t that right, Shawn?”

On cue, Whit materializes next to Birmingham, sporting a creepy, sinister tight-lipped smile.

Without responding, Randi grips Taeler's wrist, pulling her close as she steps between her daughter and the two men. Not liking the small distance between Randi and Birmingham, I step closer, bumping the fool, Todd, slightly out of the way to place me within arm’s length of the two women.

One of the guys chirps through the earbud hidden inside my right ear. “Hallway to your right, Benson. Second door on your left.”

Forgoing any niceties, I shoulder past Kyle, making him knock into Shawn. Both men grumble their displeasure, not that I care.

“This way,” I say under my breath as I spread both arms wide, herding Randi and Taeler toward the hallway indicated by my teammate. At the second door on the left, I pause, turn the knob, and step inside for a quick sweep. Walsh nods as we enter, immediately leaving once the two women are secure inside with me as the sole agent in the room.

The door clicks closed. Turning on my heel, I scan each corner of the formal entertaining room for video surveillance and listening devices.

“What are you doing here?” The fear in Randi's voice slices into my heart. I wince like her pain is my own. “What the actual fuck are you doing here, Taeler?”

“Don't yell at me,” Taeler shouts back. “It was supposed to be a fun surprise since I haven't seen you in months, Mom. Months.” Her young voice trembles. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch her wrap both arms around her waist in a defensive move.

Not that Randi notices. Oh no, she's too busy scowling at her daughter to realize she's being insensitive to the situation. No doubt her normal sensors to Taeler's emotions have been overwhelmed by the fear for her only daughter.

“Randi,” I mutter and nod to Taeler, widening my eyes.

“Stay out of this, Trouble,” she snaps. Gripping her head, she pushes both palms against either side. “Can someone get me an Excedrin?”

“On it,” I respond and mutter her request into the sleeve of my jacket.

“Okay, let me ask this a different way. Who said it would be a surprise? Who invited you here?” Randi asks, just as tense as before but with less of the fury.

“President Birmingham.”

“What! Taeler, I've told you what a twatwaffle he is!” Raising her hands in the air, Randi then drops both to the top of her head and takes a deep breath. “How did he even reach out to you to extend the invite?”

With an exaggerated groan, Taeler falls into one of the ten stiff leather armchairs scattered around the room. “Someone stopped by the dorm to tell me.”

“What?” Randi and I both shout.

Taeler rolls her eyes, a move I’ve seen time and time again from her mother. “It was fine. Chad and the guys checked out his story and credentials. They even called someone to verify everything was legit. He was some kind of aide for the president, I guess. Anyways,” she draws out the last syllable like the child she is, “the guy said the president wanted to surprise you. Said you've been working too hard lately and having me up here for Thanksgiving would ease some of your worry. And he’s not as bad as you’ve made him out to be, Mom. He’s been great since I arrived, even planned out the whole trip for me and the guys.”

“What was his name?” I demand, moving amongst the chairs until I'm hovering over the one she's sunk down into.

Taeler shrugs, another of her mom’s favorite moves.

“Fine. What did he look like, Taeler?” I try and fail to keep the frustration from my tone.

“I don't remember. Ask Chad.”

“Who?” Randi snarls. “Who is this person you keep talking about?”

“Grem. Damn, Mom.”

“Why did you say yes, Taeler? Ever heard the term ‘stranger danger,’ or did I totally fuck up that part of my parental responsibilities in teaching you not to talk to strange men? Especially ones who invite you to cabins in the woods. Have you ever seen a horror movie? The blondes die first.”

Taeler flicks an annoyed look my way. “Still dramatic as