Aced (Blocked #2) Read Free Page A

her morals, then left her to deal with the aftermath. Nobody messed with my Rez that way. Before I knew it, I was marching toward him.
    As I neared, he stood taller, and I noticed a subtle scent of spice.
    “Good job,” I said. I stared him down as best I could, given I had to look up to meet his eyes. “What exactly are you trying to do here? You just made your sister cry.”
    “I just—it’s my—” With a defeated sigh his head dropped, and he seemed contrite. “Sorry.” But then his chin lifted, and his dark eyes glowed with warmth.
    Was the bastard actually smiling at me?

Chapter Two

    M ADDIE P ERCHED H ER H AND on her hip. “Really? Your sister’s over there crying. What the hell are you smiling about?”
    I felt a blessed letup of the concern consuming me since Agent Vanderberg had called, and I slid my hands into my pants pockets. “Lucia told me you’ve been an incredible friend…that you’ve looked out for her. And you scolding me for upsetting her proves it. Thanks for being her friend.”
    The fire in her burnished eyes seemed to cool a bit. “Oh.” She stroked the small feathers in her necklace, which drew my gaze to the curves of her breasts, visible beneath her vest. She was exquisite. I glued my eyes back to her face before she seemed to notice my stare. The juxtaposition of her defined jawline and her soft, full lips intrigued me. I’d known she was a talented athlete after watching her play in the NCAA championships, but I hadn’t realized how lovely she was until now, up close. She smelled clean and calming.
    “I’m glad Lucy has someone like you here.” I continued. “I’m sorry I made her cry, but those things had to be said.” And now that I had said them, I wondered if my responsibility to my father was fulfilled. When he’d asked me to take care of my siblings, I hadn’t realized it would be so difficult.
    She shook her head, not seeming entirely convinced. “Do you always make such an entrance?”
    I forced out a puff of air. “That probably wasn’t the best way to start the conversation.” To confirm my gaffe, I looked to the stands, where my sister’s eyes glistened as she argued with Frank. I couldn’t hear them, but she was undoubtedly berating him for spilling the beans about Dane. “I know how upset Lucy was when Frank told my dad about Dane. And that was just about her dating him.”
    “So maybe you’d better not tell President Ramirez about Lucia’s sexcapades, then.” She raised an eyebrow in challenge.
    A chuckle bubbled in my throat, but I suppressed it. This was supposed to be serious. “Doubt I’ll use the word sexcapades with the president of the United States.”
    “Ah, c’mon.” She smirked. “He’s just a dad to you, right? You knew him before all this.” She gestured to the Secret Service agents. “Just like I knew Rez before she became famous.”
    Now that she mentioned it, it was nice that she looked at my family as just regular. Or as regular as a family like mine could be. I hadn’t had a girl approach me in forever—they seemed intimidated.
    Granted, Maddie had come down here to bawl me out, not hit on me, but still, it was welcome. “Rez?” I smiled. “That was my team nickname, too.”
    She perked up. “What sport did you play?”
    “Baseball.”
    “In college?”
    I nodded. “Texas Christian University.”
    “The Horned Frogs! They have a great baseball team.”
    A spark of happiness fired in my chest, and I leaned in closer. “How’d you know that?”
    “I’m a huge sports fan.” She grinned. “My grandfather taught me everything about baseball.”
    I inched nearer to her.
    “What position did you play?” she asked. “Wait.” Her arm shot out to clasp my wrist. “Let me guess.”
    Her touch was warm, and I breathed in her soothing, minty scent.
    She ran her tongue across her lower lip. “Pitcher?”
    “Wow. I started as a pitcher, but then I got injured.” My eyebrows arched. “You’re