Page 87 of Brassy Bigwig

“I’m glad you have D, Chloe,” Reed adds. “He seems like a decent guy. But make sure you’re not falling for him for the wrong reasons. It’s natural to develop feelings for someone who is protecting you. Especially when you’re as vulnerable as you are right now.”

“Reed, what the fuck?” Shelby questions, and I wholeheartedly agree with her.

“I don’t mean to sound like a dick. All I’m saying is, make sure your feelings are genuine. Are they based on actual affection, or are they rooted in your fear of Blake?”

Jesus. Thanks a lot, Reed.

But what if he’s right? What if Chloe only feels like this because she’s scared? I can’t think about that right now. One crisis at a time.

“Uhh… okay, Dr. Phil,” Shelby jumps in again. “No more daytime TV for you.”

I walk back to the front door and open it as quietly as I can before shutting it a little louder than I did before. Casually, I walk into the kitchen, pretending like I wasn’t just eavesdropping.

“How’s everything going up here?” I ask, staring pointedly at Reed for a little longer than necessary. “All right, Shel?”

She nods her head as she wipes a tear from her cheek.

“You just make sure you take care of her, or else we’re going to have a problem, got it?”

“I would lay my life down for her.”

My eyes latch onto Chloe’s as I say the words, and I can see the love in them. She does love me, and as I gaze deeper into her eyes as blue as the sea, I know it doesn’t have anything to do with her fear.

I can feel it.

“We better go. I need to stop by the office on the way home, but I’m going to have Ivan take you straight to the penthouse.”

“On a Saturday? I’ll come with you,” Chloe insists.

“How about this,” I lay a kiss on her lips before continuing. “You go get started unpacking. Cliff will help you bring your things upstairs. When I’m finished doing what I need to do, I’ll have Ivan come get me and grab takeout on the way home—drunken noodles and pho, perhaps.”

Her eyes dilate when I mention which food I’ll be bringing home. And I know she’s picturing the events that occurred the last time we had this meal at the penthouse. I feel bad using the promise of good food and even better sex to manipulate her, but I need her to change her mind.

“O—okay,” she breathes.

“Clearly we’ve missed something here,” Shelby interrupts, pulling Chloe from her lust-filled reverie. “Promise me we can all have dinner again soon.”

“Promise,” Chloe agrees.

“Shelby,” I nod then turn to Reed and hold my hand out. “Reed.”

With a firm shake, we finish our goodbyes and are out the door. When Chloe is settled into the back of the limo, I walk to the driver’s door with Ivan.

“Keep an eye out for a blacked-out Lincoln Continental following you.”

“That’s the majority of the cars in the city, other than cabs.”

“I know, but maybe take a different route home than you normally do. If you notice you’re being followed, do not go to the penthouse until you lose them. Got it?”

“Yes, sir. Anything I need to be worried about?”

I look him dead in the eye. “Emilia is here.”

“Understood.”

“Thanks, Ivan.”

Once the limo is out of sight, I hail a taxi. As I’m entering the back seat, I feel my phone vibrate. Pulling it from my pocket, I see I have a text message from Emilia.

Emilia:One week, Dimitri. I’m not playing around.

Without responding to her, I pull up my message with Dex and Bianca.

Me: Emilia is in the city. I’m on my way.

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