Page 43 of The Boss Situation

“Wait, are we talking about the same person? She’s abitch.” I pick up my phone and text the bar’s address to my driver. I doubt this will last another thirty minutes. Regardless, I’m ready to leave.

“The bitch thing is mostly an act,” he tells me, his words slurring. “Her entire public persona is fake. She deserves an Oscar for the performances she consistently puts on. She’s soft. Beautiful. Caring. Kind. Funny. Her laughter is like no other.” He tilts his head. “I thought you knew her?”

“Oh, I doknowher. The real her. The sneaky, conniving little smart aleck who doesn’t know how to shut the fuck up.” I sigh. “She’s also one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and you stupidly cheated on her like a dumb fuck. She isn’t soft, and a woman scorned is worse than me. People may call me the Boogeyman of Business, but if she hasn’t forgiven you, she’s not over it, and she will seek her revenge. She could ruin Lustre, Josh. Are you prepared for that? It’s personal on both sides.” I eat a few chips, needing them to soak up the alcohol.

Of course Billie wasn’t going to beg me to help her. She’s up to something, and she doesn’t think she needs me. But why? What has she figured out? What other dirt does she have on him?

She’s a strategy game that I want to play.

The cheating allegation could be bad. Women don’t play with cheaters, and that’s his target audience.

“Tell me this. Why are you trying to take down her company if you would have married her?” I ask because I’m curious.

“Truthfully? I’m hoping this will help me win her back,” he says, gulping down some water. “She loves an asshole who saves the day, and if I can rescue her company, the villain will become the hero. Bellamore will then be mine, and so will she. Then we’ll live happily ever after together, where I’ll have full control of everything, including her.”

I glare at him, shocked that he’d think Billie would ever submit to him. Some of that woman’s grudges are almost old enough to drink. This is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard.

“You can’t be serious.”

He nods, and I have to stop myself from laughing.

“It’s theperfectplan, and itwillwork, especially with your help. You get to be the bad guy.” He pulls his black card from his wallet and clumsily slides it across the bar. “Let us cash out.”

The bartender swipes the plastic off the edge.

“Josh, I have to warn you about how dangerous this is. Billie isn’t playing a game of love with you. She will go for yourjugular. Do you understand? You cheated. What if she tells everyone?”

“I’ll deny it.”

I laugh. “No onewill believe you.”

“I have the best PR team in the world. Who do you think named her the Wednesday Addams of Fashion?”

I stop myself from giving him a go to hell look. “You did that?”

“Yeah. Of course I did. When you dress like a professional Goth, it’s hard to sell florals.”

“She leaned into it though. It’s a part of her brand now. Herentirepersona. By pushing her, you made hermorepowerful than she had been. Please tell me you see that she’s now an icon for wearing black every day of the year.”

“Her profits have dropped by half since last summer. That’s almost a year of loss. Doesn’t seem that iconic to me,” he says, cocky as fuck.

He doesn’t understand he’s hiking into enemy territory.

“I cannot guarantee your success,” I confirm. “You do know that?”

“If I get Billie back, I don’t care what happens,” he tells me.

I shake my head. “I’m not running a matchmaking service.”

“Then help me increase my profits while making her sweat.”

I stare at him, realizing just how stupid he actually is. He has no idea who Billie is and what she’s capable of. Underestimating her will be his downfall.

I follow him out the door.

“I’ll let you know something by Monday morning. Do you have any questions for me?” I check the time, knowing my driver will be here at any minute.

“Great. Nah, man, no questions.” He gives me a firm handshake. “Good to know you’re not fucking my ex. I’d probably have to kill you.”

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