Free A Taste of Liberty: Task Force 125 Book 2 by Lisa Pietsch, Kendra Egert Page A

of pussies.  I've never been anything but straight with you, girl, so I won't change my approach now.”  He looked Sarah straight in the eyes from about one foot away.  “I don't like Italian guys and this chump ain't any different.  He wants a trophy for his retirement.  You deserve better than that.  You want to be somebody's trophy?  I don't think I'm stretching the truth when I say any fucking one of us would be happy as hell to put you on our mantle.  Besides, I have yet to meet a chick who can bar crawl like you can.  I'd miss you like crazy, and I'd try really frigging hard not to forgive you.”
    Brian chimed in with a flash of a smile.  “Yeah, Jason would never find another hottie to be seen with, much less get into the good clubs without you.”
    Jason nodded.  “True that.”
    Sarah chain lit another cigarette.
    I think they like me.  Well, all but him.  
    Sarah caught Vince staring at her and glared back.
    They really think I'm seriously considering this.  Why is he pissed?
    “Look, I appreciate your input guys.  I'm not bailing on this mission.  I told Angelo I couldn't give him an answer until we've finished this.  I'll keep you in the loop.”
    “Good enough.”  Will stood.  “Boys?”
    Finally, they all walked back to the house.  All but one.   Vince's brown eyes watched her as she continued smoking her cigarette.
    They sat in silence.
    God, but you infuriate me!
    Vince's voice came rough and ragged through the silence.  “Are you seriously considering this?”
    Sarah snuffed out her cigarette and stood.  “What if I am?”
    “You'd be making a big mistake.”
    “Who are you to tell me what's a mistake ?”
    Vince stood.  “He doesn't love you.”
    Sarah stood and glared at Vince.  “Who does?  And so what?   What do you know about love?  Men who don't love me have been using me all my life.  Hell, even you strung me along just so I'd fall in line and play the game.”
    It was all just a game to him.  He knew if he strung me along, I’d do whatever he asked.
    Vince grabbed her shoulders and spun her around.  “That isn't true.  I never strung you along.”
    Why couldn’t it be you offering me love instead of Angelo?
    Sarah’s heart ached and she winced as she pushed free of Vince’s grip and resumed her pacing.  “Yeah, you did.  All it took was two kisses and a string of pearls.  Well, I may have been easy but I've had the pearls appraised and can sleep at night knowing at least I wasn't cheap.  I hope you put them on your expense account.”
    “You bitch!  You were the one doing the stringing.  And here I thought…”  He didn't finish.
    “Oh, I'm a bitch now?  That's rich.  You thought what?  I'd just do what I'm told and not have a social life while you and the boys go out and get a piece of tail whenever you like?  That double standard of yours is bullshit, Vince.”
    “What double standard?  You know, Sarah, my sister is a big fan of your spunk but, quite frankly, I'm frigging tired of it.”  Vince turned and walked back toward the house.  “You do whatever the hell you want.”
    Sarah mumbled to no one at all.  “Fuck you.”
    What sister?

Chapter Twelve
     
    Sarah rose early and put on her bathing suit for a swim.  She walked down to the pool and started doing her laps.
    “Ooh, baby!   Lookin ' good in the thong!  You got a little sugar for Big Daddy?”
    Sarah looked up and smiled at Chris who just sat down with a cup of coffee.  “Good morning.”  When she realized Vince was sitting at the patio table watching her, she greeted him as well.  “Morning, major.”
    Vince grunted.  “Morning.”
    Chris changed over to Russian without skipping a beat.  “I'm telling you, the man has got it bad for you.”
    Sarah turned to do a backstroke and answered in Russian.  “Piss off.”
    “Come on, when are you guys gonna stop denying the sexual tension between you, get it on and just get it over with?  We all know it's