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Luke’s voice mocked her from behind. “She gives up easily,” he said, evidently talking to Ron. “Why exactly did you recommend her? You thought she might actually have some balls? Guess you were wrong.”
Katie abruptly turned around, anger flashing in her brown eyes. “I cannot work effectively when it’s clear I will not have your cooperation. We can’t work together. We can’t even have a conversation together.”
Luke laughed loudly, leaving a trail of arrogant satisfaction ringing in the air. “Like I said, you give up easily.”
Katie fought for composure, enduring his mocking laughter with an internal cringe.
“Katie,” Ron said, his own exasperation apparent in the tension-etched way he said her name. “I don’t know what the hell has come over Luke, but we need you. He needs you. I need you. The entire team needs you.” He gave Luke a biting look. “Luke will behave himself. I’ll make sure of it.” He returned his attention to Katie. “Take the job.” With a pointed meaning, he added, “We both know you need it.”
Luke’s eyebrows arched sharply. Katie, in turn, shot Ron an angry look of reproach. Her financial picture was none of Luke Winter’s business, and that was exactly where this was leading.
Ron ignored her silent reprimand and spoke to Luke. “Management wants this to happen. I suggest you make it work.”
Then he waved his hand between the two of them, pointing at each. “So, to both of you, listen carefully to what I have to say. Katie, you need this job. Luke, you can take Katie or be left behind. There are plenty of young bucks dying to get your starting spot in the lineup. You might think you aren’t replaceable, but so has every other pitcher who’s ever been replaced. Both of you decide now. Are we going to make this work or not?”
Katie and Luke stared at each other, neither in a happy mood. Neither gloating any longer.
Ron continued, “I take that as acceptance from both of you. Now,” he said, crossing his arms in front of his brawny chest, “we need to sort out the logistics. No one can know who Katie really is.” Ron turned to Katie. “Luke is single, and so are you. I say you go undercover as his girlfriend.”
Her rejection was instant. “Forget it,” she spat at Ron. “That’s a deal breaker. I’m not going to pretend to be this man’s girlfriend!” She narrowed her gaze, accusation in her voice. “You planned this from the beginning. I know you, Ron. You knew I wouldn’t agree to this kind of setup, so you waited until I was here. That is low. I expected more from you.”
“Management wants this problem to appear to disappear,” Ron explained. “That means they want Luke’s extra security to be invisible. And let’s face it, our stalker doesn’t need to be alerted that someone is watching or that person might pull back before we catch them. This plan solves all of these issues.” Ron set his jaw, unaffected by her words, apparently prepared for them. “I’ll throw in an extra five thousand a week. That should cover any discomfort.”
Katie opened her mouth to reject the offer, indignant about Ron’s behavior, but forced herself to shut it again. She needed the money to get her sister out of trouble, but damn it, she didn’t want to be bought.
Then, suddenly, she realized Luke hadn’t said a word. Not one objection, not one complaint, nothing. She looked at him, a question in her mind that was most assuredly on her face.
Why wasn’t he complaining? Why was he leaning lazily against the bar, one long leg crossed in front of the other. “Why aren’t you objecting?” she asked suspiciously.
He shrugged a broad shoulder. “I want to play ball, thus I accept my circumstances. Seems you’re the one who still has issues.”
“I have issues?” she asked in disbelief. How had this gotten turned around to her? She turned businesslike, her voice softer now by design. “I just don’t think this is the best approach.”
“I’m open to hearing a better one,” Ron said, leaning on the bar beside Luke. “You got one?”
Katie swallowed. Ron’s idea was a good one. She just didn’t like it. “Well, no, not yet.”
“So this is our best option for now?” Ron asked, with an expectant look on his face.
Damn. She was trapped. If her sister didn’t have this gambling debt, she’d refuse altogether. But what option did she have? Carrie had sharks after her. “I, um, suppose so.”
Luke challenged her then. “Then what’s the problem?”
***
LUKE HAD already figured out it was not in Katie’s nature to walk away from a challenge, exactly why he’d pushed her, egging her on. And for some unknown, crazy reason, the thought of her leaving kicked his ass. His plan to scare her off had only served to make him want her more.
