Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,71

“What you're doing is wrong, and they will figure out a way to stop you.”

His malicious chuckle has the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. Pool cue still in hand, he maneuvers around the table, putting himself on the same side as me. Warning alarms ring in my head, demanding I match his forward steps with ones in retreat, but I don't. Instead, like a confident fool, I stand my ground, our gazes locked in a battle of wills.

Only once has he dropped the gentleman fa?ade and lowered himself to physical violence. Then I thought it was in direct retaliation to my own, but now I know the truth. It had nothing to do with me.

Fast as lighting, his hand lashes out, fingers diving deep into my hair at the scalp and curling into a tight fist. A whimper passes my lips as he tightens his hold with a sharp tug. I tip my head back, exposing my neck to keep him from pulling my hair out by the root. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

“You think this is just about the fucking oil?” he hisses in my face. Bits of spit spray across my cheek. I cry out at the sharp pain when I try to turn away. “This is so much more. I will not let you or that weak-ass fucker Pierce ruin me.” His eyes sparkle with hate and arrogance. “You have no idea what I did to win the election, to get in this fucking seat. You were just part of it. A small fucking part. I had to—” He cuts himself off with a huff. “You have no idea who we're in bed with now. This isn't just about money. It's power they want.” Something like regret flashes across his face. “What I've put in motion can't be stopped now.”

Fear races straight to my heart. It thumps erratically against my chest, nearly pounding out of my body. Where is his security team? Can’t they see this on the video feed? Where’s mine, for that matter?

“Then tell me,” I rasp through the pain. “Tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help—”

Kyle tips his head back with a haughty laugh. I grimace as the shake of his hand yanks a few strands from my scalp. When he straightens, a different kind of arrogance fills his eyes.

My stomach dips. I've seen this look before. Not on him but other men. The look of knowing you're at their mercy. A lustful, predatory gleam.

“Maybe you can help,” he says, the corners of his lips ticking up. “I need a bit of stress relief, Walmart. Get on your fucking knees.”

Forgetting the pain, I shake my head. Without thinking of the repercussions, I drop the pool cue, lean back into his tight fist, putting some distance between our faces, and slam my knuckles against his cheekbone.

A loud crack resounds through the room. The hold on my hair loosens. I use the moment of distraction to my advantage, slipping farther away from the cursing Kyle. When he finally looks up, hand on his swelling cheek, there's shock written across his features.

“You hit me,” he says in awe.

The door swings open and several men pour in only for Kyle to jam a finger toward the hallway. “Out,” he bellows.

Immediately they follow his order.

“You told me to get on my knees,” I hiss. The green felt scrapes under my ragged nails as I grasp for the pool cue on the table. Squeezing it tight, I lift it between us, pointing the end toward his chest. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

“You're a fucking fool.” Still staring, he bursts out laughing. My resolve wavers as confusion sinks in. “I bring your daughter here to prove I can get to anyone and everyone you love, and you go and hit me.” This time his laugh has an edge of hysteria to it.

Anger festers. Lunging forward, I poke his chest with the blue felt tip of the cue. We both stare at the blue dot now marking his dress shirt.

“Stay the hell away from my daughter,” I grit out.

“I see you started without me.”

Losing focus on Kyle, I swing around to face Shawn. He sits relaxed in one of the deep leather armchairs by the fire.

What the hell? Those were empty earlier. Right? My brows furrow in confusion.

“This is Camp David, Trailer. Every room has multiple entrances and exits. A safety precaution, yes, but also great for sneaking in unnoticed.” Leaning