“That’s true. And I’m free to enquire as to those business dealings. Don’t forget, Princess; my name is on every single one of those contracts you countersigned. Every single thing you plan to do with those papers involves me, and since I have bucketloads of free time, I might just hang around here and make sure you’re conducting business in an appropriate manner.”
With this new idea, he sits back down, folds his hands in his lap, and, to add insult to injury, lifts his feet to my desk and slams them down so clumps of mud and dirt drop to my mahogany desktop.
“Carry on. Work.” He waves a hand toward my phone when it rings. “I don’t need to be hosted. I can chill for days and watch you work.”
Sitting forward when I continue to stare at him, he waves to… nowhere. “Is that a dropped thumbtack on the floor? Probably should pick it up before you hurt yourself. Bend over,” he drawls. “Do it slowly.”
“You’re a terrible person,” I seethe. I sit back in my chair and try to hide my panic. “You’re absolutely despicable.”
“Cry me a river.”
He takes out his phone and begins tapping. It takes only a moment for me to recognize the Angry Birds theme music.
“So far, I’m unimpressed,” he adds without looking up. “All this time spent on the clock, and you haven’t even turned your computer on yet. I’ll be sure to mention it at the next Stacked Deck meeting. I’m certain my family will be interested in how you spend your time.”
Do I call security? Do I call Jackson? God, do I call the police?
In reality, I do none of those things. It would look terrible on the six o’clock news if word got out that I had a Kincaid removed from the premises just days after signing a massive endorsement deal with the very company he has shares in.
And I don’t call Jackson, because despite the fact he works here, there’s no way in hell I’m letting them tear up my office. Plus, the six o’clock news thing.
So what am I supposed to do?
Staring at my blank computer screen, I swallow my nerves and take a moment to collect myself.
I have Bryan-effing-Kincaid in my office, and he’s made it clear he’s staying to torment me.
All because I kneed him in the balls?
“I want my hat back, by the way.”
I glance up, but his eyes remain on his phone. “What?”
“My hat.”
He readjusts his heavy legs and draws my attention to them. To the thick denim, thick thighs. Thick… everything. His hips are wide. His stomach is solid. His shoulders are so broad that he makes me feel tiny. He’s a fighter through and through. Born and bred for the sport.
“The hat was my dad’s,” he continues. “And his dad’s before him. I’m not playing, Madilyn. I’m gonna need that fuckin’ hat back, and soon. If you think trashing it would be fun, then you’re way wrong. This isn’t a game to me.”
I look at the hat he wears now. At the dark hair that pokes out from beneath. “You have a hat.”
Without thought, he lifts a hand and plucks the navy-blue cap from his head. He tosses it at my desk, lets it drop with a clunk when the brim smacks the mahogany. “Have this one. I know it’s common for women to want a souvenir, so take that hat, free and clear. I won’t even ask for it back. But I’m gonna need the Padres cap back. Unharmed.” Finally, dark, dangerous eyes study mine. “Yesterday.”
“Oh!”
I spin when my office door opens wide. Jenna stops on the threshold and turns positively pale.
She was wearing a smile, but now she looks between me and Bryan, and presses a hand to her stomach. “Hooooooly… Um…” Finally, her eyes come to mine. “What the actual eff?”
“Jenna Price.” Bryan lowers his feet, but only to sit forward and study my best friend with an appreciative eye.
Why, when I loathe him so, does it make me sick to my stomach the way his eyes scour her body? The knowledge they’ve spent time in bed together used to make me angry. Now… I feel sick.
“Good to see you again, darlin’. You look…” His eyes stop on her chest. “Perky.”
Jenna’s fiery gaze snaps to me. “Maddi?”
“It’s not my fault,” I sigh. “He came here unannounced. Now he says he’s not leaving.” I frown at her. “Why are you here?”
“Yeah, Jenna.” Bryan sits back and slams his boots onto my desk. More mud. “Don’t you work someplace else?”
She turns her back to him in complete dismissal as she sits on the edge of my desk and tries to scream with her eyes. “Explain?” That’s all she says out loud, but in her mind, she’s shouting obscenities. “Slight… conflict of interest, no?”
I drop my elbows to my desk so they rest by her hips. Then I press the heels of my hands to my eyes, but not before catching sight of Bryan’s laughing gaze.
“He wanted to discuss the endorsement contracts I recently signed with his family.”
“Excuse me.” His voice is sweet like sugar. Bubbly like a soda stream. “Hello? Hi.” He grins when he has our attention. “Is Ms. Price employed by Monaco Auto?”
When I shake my head, his eyes turn to fiery slits. “So why the fuck are you explaining legally binding contracts to someone that has no business knowing about them?”
“Because she’s my– Ugh!” I look to Jenna. “He’s right. He’s here for business. That’s all I’m legally allowed to tell you. Could you step out please? We can catch up later.”
“Though you won’t be discussing business, will you, ladies?”
“Ya know what?” Jenna spins so fast that she knocks over half my stationery. “Shut the hell up, Bry. Don’t you have a Clorox bath you need to get to?”
“Because of you?” He scoffs. “Nah, one was sufficient. You’re not that STD-ridden, are you?”
“You– You’re—” she blusters. “You’re a prick!”
He shrugs. “I’ve also got medical clearance. Fit to fuck… er, I mean fight another day. If you were all about the experimenting life before you cancelled your engagement, then I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor. I know of at least three other dudes you kept warm while you wore another man’s ring. That’s a lot of cross-contamination.”
“Why are you so fucking rude?” Jenna screeches. She bounds up from the desk and charges forward like she might deck him. “Why are you trying to hurt people?”
He looks completely at ease as he lowers his phone. “I’m the messenger, babe. I’m the human embodiment of your conscience. You did dirty things with dirty men, and I simply… made it known.”
“All because my brother took your sister out on a date?”
“All because your brother sought my sister out, knowing who the fuck she was, doing it with the pure intention to hurt me through her, then he sent her home with a broken heart. I explained this very conundrum not twenty minutes ago to your friend; fight with me, and I’ll turn up every time. I’ll square up, I’ll go a round. But bring my family into it, and I stop playing nice. Jackson screwed up the day he set his eyes on my sister. Madilyn… is walking a fine line. She approached my family, so when I figure out how she intends to harm them, I’ll end it. I’ll end her. I’ll end Monaco. And any motherfucker that wants to stand in my way will meet the same fate.”