Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,95
body between the two women. “What are you doing, Trey? What has she done? She's turned you against us.”
“No.” The hand wrapped around Randi's thin waist tightens, reassuring me that she's secure at my back. “She showed me how screwed up this family really is. I've always known we were dysfunctional, but this….” I shake my head. I can't even look Mother in the eyes knowing what I do now about her too.
“What he's referring to is we not only have proof of your perverted husband's kinks, but yours too.” A bit of the ire fades from Mother’s snarling face. “And I have to admit, I'm not straitlaced by any means, but you are one kinky lady.” She blanches at the laughter in Randi's tone. “You like toes where, exactly?”
A panicked cry bursts from Mother’s lips as she lunges around me toward Randi. Releasing Randi, I wrap an arm around Mother’s waist, hauling her away before she can make contact. Still she swings, claws out, trying to scratch the humor from Randi’s face.
“So here's what's going to happen.” Randi pauses and looks to me. “I kind of took over. Do you want to tell them?” Smirking, I shake my head. “Great, okay. So, Jessica.” She turns on her Uggs to face the nearly translucent Jessica. “There will be no wedding. The engagement is off.”
“No shit.”
A laugh bubbles from my chest.
“Exactly. Now, after all this is through, you'll have your stuff removed from Trey's condo and release a statement stating you two have called off the engagement due to family differences. Soon, the arrest of Mr. Benson will be public. I suggest getting ahead of the media swarm and letting them know you had no idea what you were about to marry into.”
“Done. And Randi?” Jessica's hand flutters to her neck, her fingers tugging on a thin gold chain. “She threatened me.”
“You lying whore,” Mother yells, now lunging toward Jessica. I slam her back against me with a quiet grunt.
“She said I needed to make sure he chose me and not you. That I needed to do whatever it took. Including making up that someone was harassing me.”
“I knew it.” The validation does little for my disappointment in both women.
“And if I didn’t, she’d ruin me and my family.”
Randi sighs and relaxes her shoulders. “I figured something was up with the drastic change from the celebration party. Doesn't excuse your actions. You could've always come to me or told Trey what was really going on.” Jessica's sad gaze slides to her shoes. “But I'm assuming you were still hoping for him in the end, so you didn't.” Jessica's blonde hair swings with her nod. “I get it. He's pretty amazing, But that’s still not an excuse. You're free to go.”
Not missing her chance, Jessica pretty much races from the room, tears flooding her eyes with a final glance back at me before she disappears through the door.
“There's no way you have proof,” Dad says, inching toward Randi's back.
“Ah, well, I do, and it's enough for these two gentlemen to arrest you on the charges I explained earlier.”
“Nothing will stick,” he says proudly. “I know every judge in this city.”
Randi just shrugs. “Well, that could be the case.” Turning, she faces my dad straight on. “But you see, someone is raiding The Boardroom right now.” At the horror in his face, Randi nods. “Yep. Think about all the physical evidence you've left behind, and then there will be the testimony of the girls. Plus, even if charges don't stick, we've at least helped those girls involved and ruined your family name. I highly doubt the snobs of this town will play nice with that kind of charge hanging over your head.”
It happens too fast. I watch in shock as dad's face turns into a hate-filled sneer. The tight grip I have on Mother’s shoulders slackens as I attempt to maneuver around her, knowing exactly what's about to happen.
Before I can take a step, which Mother blocks with a step of her own in the same direction, Dad's hands are reaching for Randi.
Then it's over.
Once again, Dad is laid out on the floor, groaning.
I look between him and Randi, who's cradling her right hand in utter dismay.
“You punched him.”
A grimace marks her face. “Sorry, not sorry?”
Shoving Mother behind me, I stride toward Randi and pull her into my arms. Not caring who sees, I seal my lips over hers and squeeze her tighter, molding her chest to my own.