Page 27 of Big Boss
I shake my head. “Look, you can come at me to your heart’s content, but I’m not ignoring anything with Erica.”
Everyone swivels to stare at me, including Ethan’s little girl, Katy. “Bullsh—” she pipes up, only to be shushed by her father. “Bull shampoo. You know.” She stares daggers at me.
Sebastian spreads his hands like a televangelist praising the good Lord above. “Out of the mouths of babes.” He shakes his head. “Now what did your little gal Friday need from you, anyway? Do you need to bring her a snack? Pick her up from her play date? Take her to the mall?”
I scowl. “She’s not that much younger than me.”
Sebastian coughs, but it sounds suspiciously like profanity. “I mean, of course she isn’t. She’s what, like half your age? Completely reasonable for any a billionaire bachelor playboy with well-documented commitment problems to be spending all of his spare time with a woman like that.”
Jackson snorts. “I could have sworn the rule was half your age plus seven.”
Sebastian stares at me. “But Miss Ridley doesn’t exactly meet that requirement, does she Tate?”
I grind my teeth, but force my voice to remain calm. If you buy into Sebastian’s jerk behavior, it only makes it worse. “She’s just my assistant.”
Sebastian snorts. “Like that’s stopped you before.”
I clench my hands into tight fists. “Look, Erica’s got to be in some kind of trouble. That’s why the police called me.”
Jackson clucks his tongue. “So now she can’t dial a phone? I don’t believe that for a minute. She’s cashing in on your name, Tate. And I warned you about this exact scenario that is now taking place. Next thing you know, you’re going to end up sleeping with her and ruining both of your lives.”
I run my hands through my hair and shove my chair toward the poker table with one foot. “She’s doing me a favor, Jackson. And I’m going to help her with whatever mess she’s gotten into. And just so you know, not all women are like your toxic ex.”
Admittedly, it was a low blow. I watch the words land like punches, but Jackson needs to know I won’t put up with anyone talking crap about my Erica. Not even him.
I lean over and plant a kiss on Katy’s little cheek, and she winds her arms around my neck. “But even if Erica wasn’t doing me a favor, I’d still help her. Every single chance I get.”
I level what I hope is a menacing glare at the men in the room. “I have to go. Go ahead and split my chips between the three of you.”
Katy blows me a kiss. “You were losing this hand anyway, Uncle Tate.”
I wince, but she’s right, damn it. I shrug. “Just let me know when and where.” I point to Sebastian. “You know I’m not a coward, so do your worst.”
Ethan stiffens. “And why would you assume that mean old Uncle Bash is winning tonight? I could be the lucky one. We all know I’m a winner.”
Katy looks at her father like he’s been taken over by aliens. “Daddy, you’re not going to win with a pair of queens.” She waves her hands at the cards already on the table.
Ethan sighs and folds his hand. “Well, I’m not going to now, that’s for sure.”
Sebastian pulls out a fifty dollar bill and waves Katy over with a smile. “That’s my favorite little lady.”
Katy waves the currency at Ethan, who is currently giving a murder stare right into the side of Sebastian’s face.
I snap my fingers. “Knock it off, Sebastian. We all know that I’m Katy’s favorite uncle.” I blow my favorite little kid a kiss and then wave to the guys as I leave. Behind me, I hear a chorus of guffaws and a little chirping voice rising to my defense.
The sun is pouring down aggressively, but I can’t shake this chill of foreboding that’s been skating across the back of my neck since the phone call about Erica. I told the police there was no issue with her using my credit card, but I can’t stop thinking about it.
I know she wanted to do this alone today, but there is a zero percent chance of me not showing up to help her when even someone as stupid as I feel like I am can tell that she needs me.
I don’t care what’s going on with Jackson and his general hatred toward women right now. He’s definitely wrong this time. I know Erica’s not the type to try to make something for her own personal benefit out of being my assistant.
Besides, that job’s practically a liability at this point. Everybody saw what supposedly happened with Crystal.
I sigh and shove my hand in my pocket viciously enough that I can feel the threads snap. Great. Now I’ve bought myself a tailoring bill in addition to whatever getting Erica out of trouble is going to cost me.
And all of this is for what? A charity I can’t even get off the ground because I’m public enemy number one, all thanks to dear old dad and the awful legacy I can’t seem to shake.
I stare at the screen some more then decide it’s simply easier to head to Glitter and see what the problem is with Erica rather than trying to call and solve it over the phone. With me, texting is out of the question.
