Strategic Maneuvers - Jemma Westbrook Page 0,33

Vincent was suggesting.

So she wanted to puke when she got nervous.

Occasionally almost passed out when dealing with men like Vincent.

But didn’t it show something that she still powered through? Still held her ground when he stared at her with his air of authority and danger?

And she’d slapped Zeke for Christ’s sake.

What else did they want from her?

Mona turned to where Heidi sat. “Can you get in touch with Vincent without anyone else knowing?”

Heidi hesitated.

“Not you too.” Mona held her arms out. “I’ve worked so hard.” She pointed to the door. “I practically yelled at Vincent in there without gagging once.”

“It’s not you.” Heidi shook her head a little. “I don’t know these men from GHOST, Monster. I don’t trust that they can keep you safe.”

Mona caught her head in her hands.

She had to do something.

This could end. They could get Anthony to show his hand and take him down.

Then she could finally be free of the mess she’d made.

The real monster she’d created by allowing others to make her something she was ashamed to be.

And there was only one person who could help her.

Unfortunately, it was the same person she seemed to struggle with the most.

But that’s what this was about. Overcoming. Walking away from the woman she intended to put behind her.

Mona stood up, smoothing one hand down the front of her sweater. She took a deep breath and started walking. “I’ll be back.”

“Oh shit.” Heidi’s words followed her through the door.

They echoed in her head.

Hell yeah, oh shit.

It was do or die time.

She did or someone else might die.

And that someone might be Pierce.

An uncomfortable sensation fisted her stomach. It wasn’t the normal bite of the nerves she fought so hard to overpower.

It was something else.

Something different.

Something she didn’t want to name. Definitely not now. Not when she was just finding her momentum.

Mona marched straight into Pierce’s office, ready to do what had to be done for the good of everyone.

She’d had a hand in where they were now.

If she hadn’t been such a pushover.

Such a wet damn rag.

This might have all been avoided.

Shawn was in Pierce’s office. Both men stood near the window she’d looked out earlier as she waited for him.

The second she walked in they both turned her way, as if they could sense her presence.

Good. Maybe they should. Maybe she was a presence.

Mona stabbed one finger toward the door, locking eyes with Shawn. “Out. I need to talk to him.”

Pierce’s gaze stayed on her as Shawn glanced his way. Pierce tipped his head toward the hall. “Go. I’ll come find you when we’re done.”

Mona stood tall as Shawn walked past her.

She refused to drop Pierce’s heavy stare. She’d dealt with tougher men than him.

Today even.

The door clicked shut and they were alone.

It could have sent her crumbling.

But there was too much on the line.

Her friends.

Her new home.

Maybe even the man in front of her.

That meant she had to pick up her skirt, grab her balls, and act like she knew how to use them.

Mona set her shoulders and went straight for him. Confusion flashed across Pierce’s gaze the second before she grabbed his face with her hands.

She closed her eyes, scared of what she might see next, and pulled his lips to hers.

If she’d surprised him it didn’t show.

There was no hesitation. No pause before understanding dawned.

It was always there.

One of his hands immediately went to her hair.

The other went to her ass, pulling her tight to him, taking what she intended to be a simple victory kiss and sending it somewhere completely different. Somewhere she might not have ever been before.

His skin was warm under her palms. His body was solid and strong where it held her, pressing the scent of him into every breath she fought to take.

This was supposed to just be about winning. Earning the leverage she needed from a man who sent her heart racing and her head spinning just by walking in the room.

She thought it was because of what he was. Who he was.

And maybe that wasn’t entirely incorrect.

Because this man kissing her now was most definitely someone she should be scared of.

His mouth slanted over hers, deepening the kiss. The faint tingle of mint cooled her tongue as his stroked against it, making her already swimmy head spin at a rate she might never be able to stop.

Might never want to.

His taste. His smell. His warmth. All of it was an addiction she didn’t know was hers.

Not until this very moment.

Pierce’s hand in her hair fisted