Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,72

forward, he rests his elbows on his knees and steeples his fingers, his chin on the high point. “I like where it was going before. Get on your knees like a good girl, Trailer, and no one you love will get hurt.”

“Fuck you both,” I hiss. The wooden rod trembles in my shaking hands, giving away my mounting terror. Shit, this is bad.

Movement in my periphery snaps my attention toward the encroaching Kyle. I move around the pool table, putting it between me and the two men.

“I call the ass,” Shawn pipes up. I scowl. “It’ll be fun tearing you apart from the inside out.” A shiver of revulsion rakes across my shoulders. I fight the urge to vomit all over the clean floor. “Not that I'm not already.” Again the fog of confusion overtakes me. It must read on my face that I have no idea what he's referring to. “You haven't figured it out yet?” A sinister smile spreads across his face, making his features tighten.

I glance at Kyle, who's staring at Shawn with just as much confusion on his features. Then something clicks in place, and his features shift from a frown to annoyance.

“You fucker.” Kyle shakes his head. “I told you to back off after the first time.”

“I remember.” Shawn raises a shoulder and leans back, getting comfortable. “And I did, just not completely. She's too fun to fuck with. Plus… well, this way I'll get the VP spot one way or another.”

“You're so fucked up,” Kyle says, exhaustion in his tone. He swipes a palm down his face before leaning forward to grip the edge of the pool table, head dangling between his shoulders. A pang of sympathy hits me in the chest. Yes, he's mean and manipulative and an arrogant ass, but he's still a man. A man who seems to be in over his head.

If only we could work together, give each other a high five and figure this shit out that he's gotten himself into. But that will never happen. He's too arrogant to listen to me. Hell, I've heard he doesn’t even listen to his press secretary or advisors. Why in the hell would he listen to me if he doesn't even value their opinions?

“One way or another?” I ask, the only question I can form that makes sense.

Shawn just continues to smile.

“Drop the investigation. The inquiries. Fuck, drop even the thought of getting me out of office,” Kyle says softly, palming the cheek I hit.

“You know I can’t do that,” I reply with a shake of my head for emphasis. “It's abuse of power, Kyle. I can't sit back and let this mess you’ve gotten our country into unfold when I know I could've done something.”

Well, there it is. Gone is the illusion of Sam being the one working the investigation. If Kyle is smart, he’ll realize I just admitted to helping the DOJ and am now in direct conflict of my agreement with him and the Birmingham estate.

“Told you Miss Self Righteous wouldn't drop it.” I narrow my eyes at Shawn. “You should've just let me take her out like I suggested.” Carefully unfolding himself, he stands and dusts off some invisible lint from the sleeve of his dark blue dress shirt. “I still can.”

I follow his questioning look across the room to Kyle, who shakes his head.

“You're talking about killing me,” I say, astounded. “Right in front of me? For real?”

Kyle sighs and leans against the edge of the pool table. “Just stop looking for the answers, Walmart. Don't push me on this. Don't make me be the person who takes it too far.”

Like Shawn.

“Didn't you already?” I ask, poking the pool cue in his direction. “You put a hit out on me!” I shriek. “You tried to poison me!”

“How the fuck do you know about that?”

I open my mouth only to snap it shut again. Well, shit. Can't really tell him I'm BFFs with the Russian president. Pretty sure he'd skewer me right here if he knew I had access to that kind of information.

“Don't give him all the credit,” Shawn says behind me, now too close for comfort. I swing the pool cue around, ready to defend myself.

A commotion outside the room draws our attention.

“Seems your fuck buddy has had enough of waiting.” Shawn sneers.

“Randi.” I whip my head toward Kyle. Again the exhaustion and fear shine through his posture and tired eyes. “I will take everything you love. Remember that when your morals get in