Free Three to Play by Kris Cook Page A

way, she’ll be knocked off the show in a month or two.”
    More like Monday morning.
    “If she’d been producing numbers that pleased the owners, we wouldn’t be here.”
    “She’s got talent.”
    “In the bedroom, yes. On-air some, but not enough.”
    “Much more than some, and you know it.” Dustin’s hand clamped down on Clint’s shoulder and delivered a vise-grip of pain. “I want her on the show. Period.”
    “Not possible.”
    “You fuck with her, you’re fucking with me. Do you understand?”
    Clint had never seen him so resolute about anything. The flexible friend he’d known morphed into an unflinching opponent.
    “Dustin, can’t you see what her game is? She’s pulling our fucking strings and you’re falling for it.”
    “You’re the one who likes being the puppet master, not Beth.”
    “Really? When have we ever disagreed about the direction of a show?”
    “She’s innocent in this. She’s done everything perfectly. Adding her to the mix forced us to be better at our jobs, pushed our limits, and the show has burned white hot. Hell, Candi told us what that survey found. What I don’t get is why you’re so adamant of getting rid of her with your love of high ratings.”
    “Because she doesn’t belong on myshow.”
    “ Your show? Fuck you, Clint.” Dustin unbuckled his seat belt. “She stays. End of discussion.”
    “That’s not for you to decide. You and I agreed a long time ago that I make the decisions about what’s best for our career as a duo.”
    “Keep talking, and you’ll be managing a solo career.”
    “You don’t get it. She’s manipulated both of us. I can prove it.”
    Dustin opened his mouth to say something, but instead he turned and got out of the car. He slammed the door shut, and the car rocked.
    He’d never seen Dustin so pissed.
    Clint stepped out onto the driveway and closed the door with a more appropriate push.  
    “Best not to try me on this. You leave Beth alone, or you’ll be the one off the show.”
    Before Clint could respond, Dustin marched up to the condo, unlocked the door, pushed it open, and pulled it shut with a loud boom.
    Clint stood alone, looking at the door. What the hell could he do to change Dustin’s mind about Beth? She’d trapped Dustin with her body. Clint had barely gotten free of her web.
    That’s it.
    The plan formed in his mind. He must prove that Beth was not the innocent that Dustin thought. She’d been calculating on the battlefield, launching teasing sparks that ignited both he and Dustin, giving her the advantage. How could he have missed it?
    Well played, Beth.
    Still, Clint doubted that she’d ever faced an opponent like him. Tonight, he would fight fire with fire, with an ambush. He kept the tools that he needed in a black leather bag at the bottom of his closet, safely locked away.  
    Clint smiled, imagining how Beth might resist his education, but her body’s reaction earlier had portrayed her deeper desires. She would react to the pain and pleasure he’d dish out. Her mind would race, her heart would pound, her pussy would ache…as her mettle to resist crumbled, bit by bit, under his guidance.
    She’d willingly go to another time slot after tonight.
    Clint walked up to the closed door, opened it, and entered. No sign of Dustin in the living room or dining room. Clint went to the hall. Surprisingly, Dustin’s bedroom door was open.
    Clint considered trying to talk to him again, but decided against it. Instead, he walked to the opposite end of the hall from Dustin’s bedroom into his. He opened the closet door, grabbed the black bag from the floor, and brought down the video camera from the shelf.
    He needed proof to show Beth wasn’t an innocent. He’d get her to confess that she’d been working to split them up from day one, even if it took all night.

Chapter Nine

    In her robe and slippers, Beth continued pacing as she’d been doing ever since Dustin and Clint left. She’d screwed up by letting