Page 69 of Scored

“I can’t get ahold of the florist until tomorrow.” I clenched my jaw. “Vee, this is serious. Someone is threatening you. What do they think they have over you?”

She reached for her cup of coffee and took it to the couch. With her one knee to her chest and the other on the soft seat, she sighed. “I kept waking up last night wondering the same thing.”

I sat beside her, pulling her sock-encased feet to my lap. “This isn’t something we should take lightly.”

Closing her eyes, Vee stretched her neck back. “Fin, I want to concentrate on our playoff run.” Lowering her chin, her emerald gaze met mine. “I’m tired of police, accidents, and mysteries.”

“What about the security company your uncle used when you were in Vegas?”

“I forget their name. He hires them here too. They’re currently watching Daphne.” Vee shrugged. “I don’t think they follow her around, but they monitor her house and stuff like that.” She tipped her chin toward the hallway leading to the front door. “We have a state-of-the-art security system.” Her smile curled. “I have an NFL quarterback with me. I’m not going to let some roses scare me.”

“Fine, you don’t have to be scared. Just call your uncle. Get the name and number of the security company. Let them dig into the roses and notes. You’ll pay them. They’ll probably work faster and harder than the police anyway.”

“Tomorrow?” She tilted her head, pleading with her eyes.

“Tomorrow, your day will start before seven when you meet with Coach Tilson. If I know you, you’ll be running from meeting to meeting, and triple-checking stadium operations for next Sunday’s game. When will you take the time to contact that company?”

She set her mug on the coffee table, retrieved her feet from my lap, and moved to her knees. The sexy grin on her lips was alluring. The way she crawled hand, knee, hand, knee, with a glimmer in her eyes was rerouting my circulation.

Her lips came to my cheek. Her voice was a husky, low whisper. “There’s a fire in the fireplace.” She kissed me. “We don’t have to be quiet.” Another kiss. “And the AFC game isn’t on for another few hours.” She lifted her brow. “Should I contact a security company, or can you think of a better way to spend our afternoon?”

Palming her cheeks, I kissed her pouty lips. “You’re playing dirty.”

“Dirty. I’m up for dirty.” She moved the cuffs of her sweatshirt, revealing her fair-skinned wrists. The bruises from the weekend in Green Bay had faded. “Show me who’s in charge.”

Moving her to my side, I stood. “I can think of plenty of ways to spend our afternoon. I’m down for every one of them. And I’m in charge.” I offered her my hand. “First, contact your uncle.”

Vee exhaled and laid her palm in mine. “Fine.”

I helped her stand and turned to see the dishes from breakfast on the counters and table. Despite Mom’s multiple offers, we wouldn’t let her help. “I’ll clean up the kitchen. You go call your uncle. Get a contact from the company who you can reach out to.” I lifted my eyebrows. “And then contact them.”

“It’s Sunday.”

“Security doesn’t take days off.”

Vee huffed. “Uncle Darin is going to ask why I feel like I need security.”

“Tell him the truth.”

“Fine.” She straightened her shoulders and made her way toward our bedroom.

A grin curled my lips because I knew I was right about Vee’s safety. It was also because I knew she didn’t want to do what she just agreed to. Fin’s-in-control was broadening its reach.

The kitchen was clean and the dishwasher running. Outside the windows the snow had ceased to fall. The monochrome sky was filled with varying shades of gray. Yet inside, the fire and AFC pregame felt warm and like home.

Reclining back on the couch, I watched as Vee returned from our room. I lifted an eyebrow in question.

“I called.”

“Good girl.”

Shaking her head, she came closer and cuddled at my side. “That phrase does more to me when it’s not about security.”

Her hands were like ice as I wrapped them in my grasp. “Did you go outside? Your hands are freezing.”

“No. I just need you to warm them.”

I wrapped one arm around her shoulder as she splayed her fingers over my torso. “What did you find out?”