Page 26 of Drop Pass

His eyes widened. “You saved her life twice yesterday?”

A few of the guys started laughing and moved away from us, obviously bored now that there wasn’t gossip to listen to.

“She seemed really embarrassed when she left so that’s probably why she was upset.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me that?”

I shrugged. “If she didn’t tell Chloe she probably didn’t want her to know, but I didn’t want you thinking I’d done something to her.”

He dropped his head and finally laughed. “Yeah, sorry I jumped to the worst case. I should have just listened to you.”

I appreciated him saying that. The absolute last thing I needed was a rumor spreading about me. Especially about treating women unkindly. That would kill me.

“I promise nothing else happened. She’s not my type.”

His eyebrows pulled together. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not interested in getting involved with anyone right now.”

“But why isn’t she your type? She’s smart and beautiful.”

“She flirts too much. She makes it seem easy.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you calling her easy?”

I shook my head. “No, she’s just always around.”

“Like she’s following you?” He said with obvious doubt.

I sighed. He wasn’t getting it. Maybe I wasn’t saying it correctly. “No, she’s just always there. With the women. At my house. In my building. When I go to work.”

He didn’t respond so I tried again. “She’s too in my life.”

His face relaxed. “You mean she’s already included in the group. It’s weird to date one of the women that the pride is friends with?”

I nodded, grateful he understood. “I don’t want things to go bad and have everyone mad at me.”

He laughed. “I understand that for sure.”

I smirked. He married his teammate’s sister and an employee of the Fury. Chloe was everywhere. He knew what I meant most of all.

“See. I don’t want trouble.”

He nodded. “I get that. I do.”

“Is it okay to just want to be friends?”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

I was relieved we’d had this conversation despite the rollercoaster of multiple misunderstandings. Now he knew where I was coming from. He knew I wasn’t a bad guy.

9

Elena

Part one of my plan was complete. I left behind Los Angeles and was starting over, but I didn’t feel any different. I didn’t look different. Other than wearing pantsuits rather than dresses I was the same. It was time for more drastic measures. Thanks to the Pride I had the perfect connection to my next step.

"Welcome to Reform. Do you have an appointment?" A very attractive man with better hair than I’ll ever have greeted me.