Rough Edges by Shannon K. Butcher Read Free Book Online

wasn’t bluffing. The man hid nothing inside his clear eyes.
    As much as Bella hated it, she was bent over, ass up, with no choice left but to take her punishment. The contract she’d signed was her only means of funding the efforts to help those who needed it. No one else was going to do the job. It was too dangerous. Only her team of badass private soldiers was capable of dealing with the crazy, violent people Stynger controlled.
    Defeat rode Bella hard, but she squared her shoulders under the weight. She would take whatever she had to take to do the job. If that meant bending her will to a man she’d given way too much power, then that was what she’d do.
    After all, she’d been a victim of Stynger’s research, too. She knew what it was like to have her life destroyed by the whims of a madwoman, even if she had been too young and hadn’t known what was happening at the time.
    Bella pulled in a long breath to steady her nerves and quell the angry words burning her lips. “What do you want me to do?”
    â€œThree simple things. Get some rest. Have a decent meal. And talk to Payton.”
    She shook her head before he was even done speaking. “No way am I speaking to that man ever again.”
    â€œIt’s not an option, Bella. The man knows things we don’t. We need him and his knowledge.”
    â€œHe lied to me. Used me. Who’s to say he’s not still using me?”
    â€œIt can’t possibly be that bad. You’re just being stubborn.”
    Fury lashed in her gut, sending acid churning into her throat. “Stubborn? Is that what you think? That I’m just throwing some kind of petulant fit?”
    â€œYou were speaking to him only a few weeks ago. What could he have done in that time that’s so terrible? All I’ve seen is a man who is desperate to help.”
    At that moment, the gym doors opened and Payton walked in. His expensive suit was in perfect order, without a wrinkle. His hair was still thick and full, even though he was nearing sixty. Despite his age, he had the bearing of a man who knew his way around a fight. She’d never seen him in action, but now that she knew what he really was—a highly trained one-man fighting force with enough experience and political pull to be spooky—she could see the subtle signs of his skill flicker through his movements now and then.
    He stared at her as he approached with caution, the way a man would an angry rattlesnake. “I heard about your mishap. Are you okay?”
    Bella refused to acknowledge his question. Unfortunately, that gave Victor an opening to respond for her. “She’s not, but she will be. Nothing a nap and a good meal can’t solve. She didn’t sleep worth a damn last night.”
    â€œHow do you know?” she demanded.
    â€œBecause I heard you moving around.”
    Shame flamed in her cheeks. She only hoped that he didn’t realize she’d been cowering in the closet like a frightened child.
    Payton’s gaze remained fixed on her, unmoving. “Is that true? Someone said you didn’t seem like yourself. You were afraid. If that’s the case, then we may have a bigger problem on our hands.”
    Victor frowned in confusion, glancing between them. “So what if she was afraid?”
    Payton’s pale eyes stayed on her. His expression was grim, his stance determined. “Do you want to tell him? Or shall I?”
    Bella didn’t want her team knowing anything about her past, and she didn’t trust Payton not to spill his guts if she didn’t stop him. “It’s none of his business.”
    â€œI disagree. You signed the contract with Norwood. That put Victor in the field with you, by your side. He needs to know if there’s a risk.”
    Victor held up his hands. “Whoa. What risk? What the hell are you two talking about?”
    â€œIf you don’t tell him, I will.” Payton’s expression