Page 139 of Bad Run

As Ted closes the distance, Anson steps between us, hands raised and calm. “Gentlemen. Let’s take this into my office.”

It’s then I notice a variety of staff and players watching the scene from down the halls and around corners.

Ted growls as he knocks me on the shoulder on his way into the office.

I look over to find Cam standing by with the rest of my closest friends: Heath, Reed, Nico, and Blake. He mouths, Good luck.

Tipping my chin at the guys, I walk into Anson’s office, ready for a fight. There’s no chance in hell I’m going to let Ted bully me.

When I enter the office, Anson sits in his chair with hands clasped, index fingers resting on his lips in thought, while Ted paces the length of the room, grumbling incoherently under his breath.

“Close the door, Taylor,” Anson utters.

As I turn to close the door, Gwen shouts, “Lance!”

I follow my instincts and exit the office, meeting a panting Gwen a few feet away. She places her hands on my chest as she tries to catch her breath. “Oh my. Gosh. Thank … goodness. I found you.”

Wrapping my arms around her back, I pull her close and kiss her forehead. “Breathe, Gwen.”

“I c-came to warn you,” she sputters.

“I know.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. Your dad is in Anson’s office, and he’s pissed. Came marching down here screaming his head off.”

“He did what?” Gwen’s spine straightens, and her face turns to stone. I watch as she transforms into a formidable force, strong and determined. And stunning.

At the worst possible time, my cock twitches.

Gwen skirts me and pushes her way into Anson’s office, leaving me to chase after her. “Dad?”

Ted’s head whips in her direction, and he scowls at Gwen. I shut the door, giving us some privacy, and stand beside Gwen, my hand on her lower back.

“What have you done, little girl?” Ted growls.

“I suggest you watch the way you talk to my wife,” I snap, stepping in front of Gwen, who gasps, gripping my shirt in her fists at my back.

Not the way I wanted to announce that, but there is no way in hell I’m going to let Ted talk down to Gwen. I don’t give a damn that he’s her father.

Ted’s eyes bug out of his head at my announcement. “Wife? Gwendolyn Montgomery, you better start explaining.”

At Ted’s tone, a warning growl, feral like that of a wolf ready to protect, rumbles in my chest.

Gwen places her hand on my wrist, injecting me with a steady calmness that soothes the angry beast pacing inside my head. “It’s okay, Lance. I got this.”

Like a regal queen, Gwen lifts her chin and pulls her shoulders back, ready to confront her father. She never looked more beautiful than she does right now, standing her ground. She doesn’t need me to fight her battles, just stand behind her, offering my support.

I lean down and whisper in her ear, “I know you do, and I’m right here behind you.”

Gwen nods in understanding as she keeps her eyes locked on her father’s. The love I have for this woman grows exponentially while I watch her body inflate as she dips into the confidence I know lives deep inside her.

She points to the seat I was sitting in only minutes ago, and in a strong and unwavering voice, she says, “Dad, please take a seat and I’ll explain.”

Here we go.

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