Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Coop takes a step toward me. “She came to my bedroom from yours, Seth. She wanted to see if I was as good as Leighton claimed. Elizabeth used you, my brother, to get to me. And you want to reward that bitch by parading her around the benefit.”

“It’s business.”

“No, it fucking isn’t.” Coop steps closer. “She wants back in. You’re wealthy and powerful now. She wants a taste. She doesn’t care how she gets it. You can’t be that fucking blind.”

I shake my head. “This isn’t about Elizabeth.”

“Of course it is.” Coop runs a hand through his hair. “These greedy bitches just want to use us for our money, our power, our status. And you let her. Fuck, you didn’t see Madison’s face when you walked in with Elizabeth. You crushed her.”

My chest aches as fire engulfs my lungs. The pain on Madison’s face every time she looks at Elizabeth is like a dagger deep in my gut. Madison won’t even look at me.

“This whole evening was supposed to solve a problem that keeps creeping up, but maybe we shouldn’t worry so fucking much about that problem.” Coop straightens. “Who cares who we fuck and how? Seriously, fuck them.”

Chapter 90

Hostile Takeover

Madison

“I love this song!” Sara yells to be heard over the music. We’re on the dance floor in a small circle while Elizabeth sits at the table looking like she’s eating something sour.

Trying to be nice, I smile at her, but my gaze goes to the door the guys disappeared behind. What are they talking about? This engagement between Coop and me? Because that’s ridiculous. The whole concept is ridiculous. We’ve known each other a few weeks.

Even Leighton thought I might be pregnant and that’s the only way someone like Coop would marry someone like me. Of course, that would be the only reason that made sense. Not that I’m the love of his life like he claimed. My heart skips a beat.

This is such a mess.

“If you want to go to them, I can walk you.” Kayla leans in close to my ear.

“No, it’s okay.” I give her a smile that I’m sure looks fake, but it’s enough for Kayla to back off.

This whole night is a mess. The guys and their dates. Me and Coop. I just want to go home, crawl into bed, and wait until it’s tomorrow.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” A gorgeous man cuts across the dance floor. He looks like a Viking in a tuxedo. Huge, with a wide chest and narrow waist. A tip of black ink on his neck peeks out over his collar. His long, wavy blond hair falls around his shoulders. His icy blue eyes hold me frozen in place as he comes toward me. My breath catches.

Fuck, I don’t know this guy, and trust me, he’s someone I wouldn’t forget, but his focus is beyond me.

Sara backs up as the guy approaches. Her eyes dart to the sides like she’s searching for an escape. Her mouth moves as she whispers, “Fuck.”

“Oh, no you don’t.” He reaches out and grabs her arm, drawing her to him. What the hell is happening?

“Hey.” Kayla steps between them, while all I can do is gawk. “Let her go.”

“Let me go, Dante. You don’t have the right to do this.” Sara tugs on her arm. But Dante is stronger and reels her into his side. The crowd around us parts as he makes his way off the dance floor, dragging Sara with him. Kayla and I follow as Sara keeps glancing back at us.

“What’s going on? Where are you taking her?” Kayla tries to step in his way again. The guy towers over all of us. Fuck, he might be taller than my guys.

Dante stops and glares down at Kayla, who straightens and glares right back at him. “This isn’t any of your business.”

“These are my friends.” Sara tugs at her arm again now that he’s stopped. “Release me.”

His cold eyes scan both of us before he scoffs. “Sara and I have some unfinished business.”

Her eyes widen as he drags her down an empty hallway. Kayla glances at me before she follows. I turn to look for the guys. Blake could stop this monster of a man, but they still aren’t anywhere in sight. Maybe I should go back to the table. When I turn to follow Dante and Sara, I see Kayla slipping around a corner.

Shit.

Lifting my skirt, I hurry to catch up, not wanting to lose them. As I rush by a hallway, someone hooks my arm and drags me the other way.