Page 330 of Power Play

“Briggs.”

His face became serious. “She said she’s driving herself.”

“Why?”

“Nobody offered her a ride.”

I looked at him.

“Cade and Easton aren’t going to trap you in a house with her,” he explained. “Rider agreed. The girls didn’t like it, but they understand she can’t arrive in somebody else’s car and make leaving your responsibility.”

The boys had already closed ranks around me. The knowledge warmed nothing, but it gave the cold somewhere solid to stand.

“What did Aura and Bliss say?”

“That she shouldn’t drive upset.”

“Reasonable.”

“And that somebody should hear her out.”

“Also predictable.”

“They didn’t say it had to be today.”

“They will.”

Briggs didn’t disagree.

I placed the coffee on the nightstand and stood. My ribs protested immediately, but the physical pain was clean enough to focus on.

“Do not let her near me.”

Briggs watched me carefully.

“I mean it. I don’t want her cornering me in a bedroom, following me into the kitchen, or waiting until everyone turns their back so she can start begging.”

“I’ve got you.”

“Our boys?”

“They already know.”

“I expect Aura and Bliss to start asking me to hear her out the second they decide I look calm enough.”

“They probably will.”

“I’m not changing my mind.”

“I know.”

“She could tell me everything I already know about her parents. She could say she loves me until she loses her voice. None of it changes the fact that I don’t trust her.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“I’m not punishing her.”

“I know.”