Page 75 of Synced to Us

“You wanna get away with touching her?” Wyn presses hard on Dennis’s neck as I rush up to him and pull at his arm. “Try it now. I dare you.”

Dennis’s white, wide eyes travel a long arc and land on mine, pleading.

“Wyn, he wasn’t—it’s not what you think. Let him go!”

Wyn responds without looking my way. “He had his hands on you. That’s all I need to understand.”

“He was—” What could I say? The truth? The truth was Dennis cornered me after the wait at the bar became too much, and I went in search of one of the many servers offering champagne flutes. Dennis had seen my interaction with Larry’s “date,” and with what he’d gleaned while I was in Wyn’s hometown…

“Did you see Larry’s girl?” Dennis had asked, his eyes unfocused and his breath reeking of alcohol.

I sighed. “You’re the last person I have time for, Dennis.”

“You think you got me with this fake fiancé bullshit? That because one of the bigwigs is in your pocket, I can’t take the promotion from you? Well, I can, you slut. ‘Cause I know.” Dennis pointed to his chest. “I know what you’re hiding. That little lady over there, Maggie Come-Fuck-Me Jones, is exactly like you, too. Our boss hired a hooker!” Dennis cackled, his voice drawing attention.

“Shh! Are you out of your mind?” I grabbed his elbow and dragged him to the side. “Do you want to get us fired?”

“No, I want to get you fired.”

I’m bumped close to him when a server passed by, allowing Dennis the chance to give my breasts the once-over. “Tell me, how much do you go for these days?”

“I’m not for sale, asshole.”

“How much has Wyn Riley given you? C’mon, I can smell the sex on you from here. I doubt you give out for free, considering your history. Hey—lemme get Maggie. We can do a threesome. Wyn, too, if he likes his women double-penetrated.”

I stared at him with a mixture of shock and disgust. “You’re drunk. I’m going to do you a favor and pretend this conversation never happened.”

He grabbed my upper arm. “You won’t win. Chicks like you never do.”

“Let. Me. Go,” I hissed in his face.

“I’m not one of your johns. I don’t have to subscribe to your demands. Wyn’s working the room as your perfect fiancé now, but what about tomorrow? Next week? Next year? How long do you think I’m going to allow this farce to keep going? Telling Wyn’s redneck family about you may not have worked, but telling this room sure will.”

“It’s not fake. We’re together, and I’m so sorry that upsets you,” I seethed. “So long as Wyn is on my side, you can’t say anything to anyone. Not if you want Emerald Spin to remain a client.”

“You wish that were the case.” Somehow, his hazy eyes glinted with malice. “But if you can help me prove that Larry’s carting around a call girl…” Dennis pretended to check his cuticles while he grips me with his other hand. “We may be able to work out a better deal.”

An anvil lands in my gut. “You wouldn’t. Blackmailing the boss for the portfolio manager position?”

“I’m blackmailing you.” Dennis shrugged. “It’s how we get ahead in this cutthroat business, and you just gave me an excellent leg up by looking so shocked and appalled when you were introduced to Maggie. You covered it up well, but I haven’t taken my eyes off you since you stepped into this room. Admit she’s one of you.”

My lips tighten. “Don’t be an idiot.”

“Yup. Exactly what I thought.” Dennis wrenched me closer, and although I twisted my face away from his revolting breath, he said, “Now, why don’t you be a good girl and—”

There’s no time to struggle before I’m jerked back and shoved out of Dennis’s hold.

Wyn took my place in front of Dennis, his jacket nearly ripping at the seams with his heavy, infuriated breaths.

And now I’ve ended up here, having to explain to Wyn that defending me will only encourage Dennis to open his stupid, impulsive mouth.

“It’s not worth it,” I say to Wyn. “Please don’t do this. Not here.”

I regret the words as soon as they come out, because Wyn looks in my direction. And gives Dennis enough of an opening to curl his hand into a fist and punch Wyn in his exposed throat.

Wyn staggers back at the unpredicted hit to his soft spot. Dennis takes the opportunity and jumps on him, toppling them both to the ground.

A crowd forms, yelps of distress and concerned mutterings circle us like hornets. Someone calls for security, but the boys don’t react.

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