Page 107 of Corrupt Me

“I don’t like how you look at my girlfriend,” he parrots. I swear, delusion has nothing on this guy.

Like he’s a fly that bugs me, I swat him away by pushing him to the side. “Get out of my fucking face before I rearrange yours.”

Every second I spend in his vicinity brings me closer to losing it.

“Stay away,” he says, and something dark crosses his eyes. The fucker is nothing more than bark.

I smirk, passing him by. “Can’t do that. We live together.”

“She’ll be mine. Mark my words.”

Clenching and unclenching my fists at my sides, I call for patience. If I preach about priorities, I must deal with my anger issues. Bailey thinks this bastard could help, so I let it slide.

“If you say so.”

I fucking know better. She’s mine, and I focus on that knowledge to stay centered.

After my classes, I wait for Bailey. When she comes out, we walk side-by-side to the house. It takes everything in me not to slide my hand into hers and pull her to me.

She tells me about the new program she’s developing, and that her professor is impressed with her coding.

“Why do I have to lead the media company?” she sighs a long breath.

I hate when something bothers my girl.

“What do you want, Bailey?”

Tell me so I can make every one of your wishes come true.

“I have to lead the media company, but cybersecurity is more like my jam.”

If it were up to her, she would only be behind a screen. Racking my brain for a solution, my steps slow down to a stop and she automatically does too.

“What if we just co-lead both of them?” I suggest.

Her eyes widen into two pools of wonder. “You’d do that for me? But—”

“No buts, let’s be the best team and power couple this world has ever seen.”

A bright smile colors her face as she whispers, “I’d love that.”

I’d give her every-fucking-thing and more.

The moment we’re inside the house, we walk into the living room, where all our friends are gathered, looking somber. An unopened bottle of whiskey sits in the middle of the coffee table. I remember I promised I would tell them my secret tonight. But if I am quick, I can be alone with Bailey sooner. The thought of her calms my racing heart.

“Fine. I don’t need a drink…” I start by recounting the sordid story in not so many details.

Abigail’s face drains of color as she stands up from the couch. “I want her complete name and address right fucking now.”

The Barbie is lethal when she wants to be. It warms my chest that my friends have my back.

“Are you okay, man?” Dane inquires, concern etched on his face. He knows all about battling internal demons. As I nod, it’s like we agree they will always be a part of us, but we won’t let them control our lives.

Kaden comes to my side, and he squeezes my shoulder. “Whatever you want to do, I will stand by you. No one touches our family and remains unpunished.”

“I have your back. Always,” Blake says, coming to stand by my side as well.

These fuckers do it—I am so bloody emotional my vision blurs. They swallow me up in a group hug, but I push through them to drag to me the only one I truly need. Bailey.

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