Page 44 of #Bossholes

With a groan, he drops his head in his hands. “Both, probably.”

I lean back, smoothing down my tie. “You can come with us. I know it’s been a while since we’ve shared, but…”

“No.” He shakes his head, gripping the back of his neck with both hands. “It needs to be on her terms.”

“I get that. At least if this whole thing goes south, you’ll still be in her good graces.”

“If I ever was,” he grumbles as he falls back against the couch and stares at my ceiling. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know it needs to be her choice. And while it’s going to drive me absolutely crazy knowing what you and Mav are doing tonight, I can’t go. I hate myself for staying behind, but I think I’ll hate myself more if I’m there.”

I nod, blowing out another deep breath. He’s playing it safe, minimizing the risk. It’s what Brantley does. Fuck, it’s why he’s so good at what he does, but playing it safe can also minimize the rewards.

I’m not sure what I want long term. I have no idea what’s going to happen on Monday, but I know Miss Rhodes will be at that hotel in two hours, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to leave her to spend the night alone.

“You can start by being nice. Maybe learn how to smile. I hear women like it. It makes you more approachable.”

He gives me the finger, but at least I get a small smile. “Kindly fuck off.”

“Thanks for proving my point.” I laugh, but as I open my mouth to give him some sage brotherly advice, there’s another knock at the door. “Come in.”

This time it is Maverick, dressed in a three piece light gray suit with his hair slicked back. A cream gift bag swings from his fingers as he walks in, and as he sees Brant, he smirks. “Did you change your mind?”

He chuckles, grabbing his jacket, glancing between the two of us. “You both look like you’re going to a board meeting.”

“We look dashing.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

I push up from the recliner, gesturing to Brantley. “He’s interested in her but isn’t going to be joining us tonight.”

Maverick gives Brantley an exasperated look. “No shit. I knew he was interested on day one. Probably before he did.”

“Well, this was fun.” Brant stands and slings his jacket over one shoulder. “I’d wish you luck, but I don’t mean it.”

He smacks my shoulder as he walks by, hesitating for a moment by the front door. He glances back at us, then shakes his head and leaves.

I slip on my jacket, dark blue to match the rest of my suit, and eye the bag at Maverick’s side. “What’s in there?”

He smirks and glances down at the bag as his smile grows. “Some supplies. Figured we could use a thing or two to get the room ready before she checks in.”

“Lube and handcuffs?”

He simply shrugs. “Among other things. But if we’re going to get things ready before our sweet cherry pie gets there, we better get going.”

I toss my head back with a groan. “Please don’t call her that again.”

“Temptress? Foxy? Ginger? Honey fire? Red hot? Firecracker?”

With another groan, I push him toward the door. If he keeps up with the nicknames, there’s a seventy-five percent chance she’s going to boot us out of that room before we get a chance to explain ourselves.

TWENTY-FOUR

Kinsley

My entire body is trembling,fueled with a mix of excitement and trepidation, and as I walk into the Hermitage, I can’t help but stare. This place is fancy. Between the marble and gold accents, the decor screams opulence.

I don’t belong here; that much is clear.

My purse is a knockoff, my heels were on clearance, and this dress was something I found at the second hand store. There’s no way these rooms go for under three hundred dollars a night. None. And here I am, walking in here like an imposter, a woman who can’t afford a two-bedroom apartment and lives on a couch.

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