Page 391 of Power Play

Briggs had probably returned because trusting me to spend the night alone would require a respect for boundaries none of my friends possessed.

“I thought I told you fuckers to celebrate without me.”

No one answered.

I turned toward the pantry while pulling at my tie. “Briggs, I’m—”

Rounding the island stopped me.

Charm stood near the refrigerator with a glass food container balanced between both hands. Her coat was zipped to her throat, a stocking cap hid most of her hair, and snow melted across the shoulders of the dark fabric.

We saw each other at the same time, and her fingers opened.

The container struck the tile and exploded. Glass skittered across the kitchen while pasta and sauce spread between us. Charm jerked backward, one hand catching the counter as she stared at me.

For several seconds, neither of us moved.

“I didn’t know you were here,” she said.

My hand remained wrapped around the end of my tie. “What are you doing?”

“I came to get something to eat.”

“That doesn’t answer me.”

“I’m staying in the second cabin. I thought everyone would be at Ember’s, so I came over to get food before I went back.” She glanced at the broken dish. “I’m leaving in the morning.”

“You came back for food?”

“I came back from the game.”

My mind caught on the word. “What game?”

Her face changed.

“You were there?”

Charm looked toward the floor, and the movement sent enough rage through me that I took a step before stopping myself.

“Mírame.”

Her eyes lifted immediately.

“You were at my game?”

“I wouldn’t have missed it.”

I stared at the heavy coat, the stocking cap, and the face I’d searched thousands of people for without finding. “Where were you?”

“The upper section on the Frost side, almost against the back wall.”

“The nosebleeds?”

She nodded. “I sat alone.”

“You hid.”

“I stayed away from you like you asked.”