Free Ring of Fire by Taylor Lee Page B

clear the stands just cuz the score’s a little lopsided. You’re acting like the game is over. Hell, Nate, we’re just starting the third quarter. Best you wait to see what happens in the fourth. Things can turn around damn quick in the game we’re in. Depends on who you’re bringing in as ringers for your side.”
    “At least you got that part right, Cougar. More right than I think you know.”
    He jerked his chair closer and pinned Cougar with a hard stare.
    “Let’s talk about this game we’re all involved in. You’re acting like you and Jeb are on opposing teams. That my friend is where you are seriously fucked up–both you and Jeb. For what it’s worth, you two assholes are definitely on the same side. I don’t know which one of you is going to end up with the most points, or who will be the low scorer. I could care less.
    “If you take a clear-eyed look across the court, man, it ain’t Jeb you’re gonna see on the other side. Take a good hard look at who’s leading the opposing team. Cuz you’re looking at him now.”
    Nate rose to his feet.
    “Cougar, when the game’s over, when that final whistle blows? We both know who the winner is going to be and who the losers are. You know that, dude. You’ve known that all your sorry life, haven’t you?”
    Cougar looked shaken, edgy. A band of sweat marred his furrowed brow. He sat back in his chair as though assuming a relaxed pose. But he gripped the arms of his chair hard, his knuckles white with the strain.
    “You’re wrong, Nate. After I take Jeb down I’m going after you, bro. I’m gonna take you down, man, piece by piece. I’m gonna fillet you like a fish.”
    “We’ll see. See you at the sidelines, bro . When I’m accepting the trophy for the good guys and my men are hauling your punk ass off to jail.”
    Nate turned to leave then glanced across the room.
    “Saw Tucker over there. You got a nice kid, Cougar. Better than you deserve. Smart, too.”
    “What do you know about him, asshole?”
    “I know he lives with his mother. I know that they both gave up on you years ago.”
    Nate ignored the angry flush rising on Cougar’s neck.
    “You weren’t around so you wouldn’t know but I coached him when he was a kid, a middle-schooler. I saw the promise in him then. I’m wondering why he didn’t go out for basketball at the college. Hell, he could have played center, point guard, any position he wanted. He’s a versatile player, tall and fast.”
    Cougar’s face flushed a deeper red, then he sneered. “Maybe he has more important things to do, Big Dog.”
    “Maybe.”
    “I’m warning you, Nate. You stay away from that kid.”
    Nate shrugged. “Sure, but it seems like he’s old enough to make up his own mind about the lay of the land.”
    Cougar growled, “Yeah, he is. Right now he’s making some big decisions about the direction he’s taking in his life. And for the first time, Nate, he’s gonna be making the right decisions.”
    Nate sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Knowing who you are, what you are, Cougar? I’m sure hoping that you’re wrong about that.”

Chapter 8
    Nate forced a smile on his face and moseyed back across the room face but couldn’t squash the uneasiness rollicking in his gut. You didn’t have to be a trained cop to feel the danger lurking in the pub. It hung in the air like a curtain of early morning fog on the lake. Unlike the mist that burned off with the heat of the sun, the threat in this room could as likely blow up as burn off. Nate slid onto the chair next to Erin and rubbed his balled up fist against her knee. Her soft smooth skin and the shiver his touch elicited chased away the demons threatening to swamp him.
    Wrapping a big arm around Erin, he glanced up and saw Britney Mallory sidling up to their table. The young red-haired miniature Kieran was gazing up at him adoringly, her freckled face flushed pink. Nate saw Sam and Connor exchange a look, rolling their eyes at her