Page 28 of Heartbreaker

FIFTEEN

Primary Suspect list for sabotage based on current intel:

Roman

Tyler

Oliver

Phil

Courtney

Kevin DeLuca

SIXTEEN

Over the next few days, I’ve never felt busier. The morning after the incident with Liam, Demi and I met with Phil to inform him of the latest development and make a game plan for telling the team before we leave for the next stop. The following days are filled with practices, and when I’m not in my truck, I’m locked away in the room with Demi, combing through the bank accounts of dozens of employees and growing increasingly frustrated as we come up empty. The same goes for the information about the person who hired Liam: the phone number they used was a burner that is no longer active, bought in Georgia and activated in Louisiana two weeks later. We can’t seem to find anything or anyone behind it, and the circuit hasn’t been to either state this season.

That being said, while I’ve been busy, there isn’t any true reason to be holed up in my hotel room any moment I’m not actively in my truck, other than to avoid Rome. After I talked with Demi, I’ve made the subconscious decision to take away any chance of an opportunity arising.

Okay, maybe it was a little conscious, but if I don’t bump into him, there’s no opportunity for me to encounter a moral dilemma, right?

Right.

Unfortunately, it seems like my luck has run out.

“Lana,” Rome calls from down the hall, not long after the mandatory meeting where we were introduced to the new tech taking Liam’s place. We decided not to have Phil reveal why he was fired, only saying that his departure was for family-related reasons. Demi set up cameras in the meeting room to record everyone’s facial expressions. Demi will spend the next few days going over every single person’s face, trying to see if anyone didn’t appear surprised or worried enough.

“So what, you’re just going to ignore me now?” he asks, sidling up to me. I roll my eyes even as my heart races. I ran right to the locker room after the meeting, wasting as much time as possible to try to avoid him once again, but it didn’t seem to have worked. I wonder if he waited for me, ready to intercept me as I walked past, and even though it’s stupid, the mere thought warms my chest.

“No one could ignore an ego as big as yours. Don’t worry, pretty boy,” I say, continuing to walk toward the arena for another meet and greet in the pit. His steps falter as his hand reaches out to grab my wrist, burning where it touches me and stopping me in my tracks.

“But you have been.” He steps closer, leaving barely a foot barely between us. “Ever since you kissed me.” My eyes widen, and I glance around the empty hallway, anxious someone will have heard.

“Don’t worry, they’re all out on the track,” he says. Relief moves through me before I look at his eyebrow without meaning to. There’s a fresh bandage there, and for a single, irrational, beyond-stupid moment, I can’t stop the bolt of jealousy that moves through me, wondering who put it there. His lips tip as if reading my mind, “I’ve been forced to bandage myself up now that my hot nurse has gone MIA.” I roll my eyes but try to ignore the relief that cools my irritation.

“Oh, the cruelty,” I murmur before trying to walk away, but his hand holds me in place. I sigh before crossing my arms across my chest.

“So what’s this about? I give you the best kiss of your life, and you ghost me?” I glare at him, despite my beating heart.

“I didn’t ghost you. I’ve been busy. And I only… did it,” I say, stumbling over my words awkwardly and trying not to say kiss. “Because you were a wreck. I was afraid you would go back out there and hit someone.” He doesn’t look offended; instead, he looks entertained as he tugs me closer. To my shock, horror, and utter excitement, I let him. My hand is pinned between us, and his heart beats beneath my palm. A steady, comforting rhythm.

“So next time I get worked up, you’ll help me relieve that tension?” he asks, voice low. I groan at the line, pushing at his hard chest and trying to ignore the ideas that run through my mind.

I’m here for a reason. I’m here for the mission. I’ll be gone as soon as it’s figured out.

“I wouldn’t hold your breath.” My eyes travel his face intentionally before a lazy smile spreads across my lips. “Or maybe, do.” I gasp when he pulls me in even closer, his arm wrapping around my waist. It’s so similar to the other day, except we’re no longer on even footing. Now I have to tilt my head to meet his eyes, and he has to look down at me. From this angle, I can see just how full his lips are, and the way they tip up at the edges, in an ever-present smirk.

“I love it when you get all bratty with me.” I roll my eyes, but can’t ignore the way his hand tightens on my hip. His eyes move from mine to my lips and back, and for a moment, I’m sure he’s going to kiss me again. A mix of apprehension and excitement battles in my chest, but I don’t push him away.

There’s a pull between us that I don’t know if I can ignore much longer.

“Come on, you two,” a familiar teasing voice calls before that happens, though. “The fans await.” When I look over his shoulder, Demi is smiling, her hair pulled back into a high ponytail that shows off her sharp features and, most importantly, her teasing grin. I step back, trying to ignore the disappointment roiling in my chest.

“You’re kind of a cockblock, Demi. Anyone ever told you that?” Rome mutters, but it only widens Demi’s smile.

“Once or twice. Though, please, do tell me what I was blocking, considering you were in the middle of a busy hallway.” A blush burns on my cheeks. With a sigh, Rome moves toward the exit, but his hand settles on my lower back, guiding me forward.