Page 158 of Exposed

“Tomorrow, we finish this.”

She nods. “I can’t wait.”

“Me either, baby.” I kiss her slowly. “Me either.”

34

LIGHT IT UP

King

“You’re alone.”

I hold my arms up as they frisk me and stare at the man I want to do a hell of a lot more to than deliver a throat punch.

“He’s clear.”

I lower my arms and adjust my tuxedo jacket. “That’s right. And there will be no wedding until I speak with Dex. Alone.”

Rand crosses his arms. “No one demands to speak with Mr. Carter alone.”

I don’t take my eyes off the man who I’d really like to unalive rather than negotiate with. “Since I’m the one who has his cash, he should be anxious to speak to me if he knows what’s good for him.”

Dex walks around the corner wearing a custom black suit and a frown on his ugly mug. “What about my cash?”

I turn to him and ignore Rand and the restof the men who have no fucking clue they’re living out their last moments of freedom. “We need to talk.”

Dex comes to a stop four feet from me and looks around. “Did yourbrideget cold feet?”

He describes Goldie in the same tone I use when speaking about terrorists.

“My bride is just fine. We agreed to be married here for the sake of my business. She didn’t want to, but accepted for me. But things have changed. We have business to discuss before I’m willing to follow through with your terms. I don’t appreciate being fucked over, Dex.”

That gets his attention. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not about to air my shit for everyone to hear. We need to talk privately.” I glance at Randall before continuing. “And if you think about hogtying me to a chair for your ball-less meathead to use as target practice again, watch yourself. Do business like a fucking man.”

Rand takes a step toward me, but Dex holds out a hand. “We’re not going anywhere until I know what this is about.”

I lower my voice. “We have an issue with the quality of the current project you and I are collaborating on. It’s put me in a pinch, and I expect you to fix it fucking fast, Carter.”

Dex looks as confused as I expected him to.

“To put it simply,” I add, “my wedding will be the least of your worries if you don’t do something. You have deposits to worry about.”

His expression falters right before his jaw tightens. “In my office, now.”

I give him a chin lift. “That’s what I thought.”

Dex turns, and I follow.

But so does Rand.

I stop and turn to the ball-less man. “I said we were going to speak alone. You can go fuck yourself, or whatever you liketo do when you’re not raping women or fighting like a pussy.”

Rand has the nerve to clench his fist, as if he can take me.

“I’m good,” Dex grits. “Stay here. I need to figure out what he’s talking about. Check and see if Anderson needs any help with our other project.”

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