Page 33 of Suspicious

I’m the VP of LA Defiance.

I have had my moment to get it out of my system.

Now I need to get the fuck on with it.

I’m not going to get anywhere with this app problem tonight.I have gone as far as my brain will allow. Now, I need to do what Jason suggested,‘Just take a breath.’

I’m burned out and getting nowhere, so sometimes you have to walk away from something to come back to it with a clearer head.

This is the case with the app.

I’m going to take my mother’s advice and celebrate with my brothers.

Even if Bea is going to be there.

I spin on my chair, just about to stand, when there’s a knock on my den door. Raising my brow, I make my way over, pulling the door open a fraction. The blast of the music hits me first, followed by the overwhelming smell of alcohol. Navy steps into my view, and I can’t help but wonder what a club girl is doing knocking on my door.

“Navy, everything okay?” I ask.

She tilts her head with a small grimace. “Ahh, I know you’re working on things, but… you might want to check on Bea.”

Furrowing my brows, I jerk my head back. “Why?”

Navy hums under her breath, then gestures over her shoulder. I follow her line of sight to observe Bea dancing on top of the bar, her shirt off, wearing only her bra and shorts. Drink in hand, she is swaying like she’s about to fall off the bar at any second.

She’s hammered.

For thesecondnight in a row.

My muscles tense, and my hands ball into tight fists as I try to fight back the rage. “Jesus fucking Christ, Bea!”

CHAPTER NINE

Loki

With my emotions already in turmoil, seeing the usually so effervescent and bubbly Bea falling apart for two nights in a row instantly concerns me as much as it angers me. My heart races unbearably fast as I give a polite head bob to Navy in thanks, and she takes off, not even caring about shutting the den door.

My aim right now is to get to Bea and stop her from making any more of a fool of herself than she already has been. With Nickelback’s “Shakin’ Hands” playing loudly over the sound system, I storm up to her as she dances seductively on top of the bar in a scene reminiscent ofCoyote Ugly. Swirling her shirt around in her hand, singing along to the words of the song about the girl next door in LA who turned into a high-end whore, this brings new meaning to the word ugly.

She doesn’t even see me approaching, but just in front of her, Prospects Hayes, Eggs, and Weaver stand below her, all cheering, hollering, and encouraging her like she’s some kind of fucking stripper.

“Yeah, baby, show us what you got!” Hayes catcalls her.

My fists clench so tightly that my knuckles turn white, my nails digging into my palms so deep I know they will bleed, but I can’t feel it. My jaw locks, teeth grinding together, and a low growl escapes my throat. Every muscle in my body tenses as I stare at her, the heat of my rage radiating off me in waves. My vision blurs at the edges, and all I can focus on is the fact she’s half-fucking-naked, dancing carelessly, wasted with not only my brothers but a fucking prospect ogling her.

It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to lunge at him, not to give in to the primal urge to sucker punch every one ofthese fuckers.

The anger is undeniable.

All-consuming.

A roaring inferno that threatens to burn everything in its path and leave a singed wasteland.

Shoving Hayes with all my might, he loses his balance, tripping and falling flat on his ass, his beer spilling all over his chest. “Hey, what the fu…” He pauses when he realizes it’s me staring down at him, trying with everything I have to hold myself together.

Eggs and Weaver are by my side in an instant. “Hey, VP, you good?” Weaver asks.

Glaring at him, I scowl as Bea squats down, giggling right next to me on the bar. Using her shirt, she loops it around my neck playfully. “Oh c’mon, Loki… we’re all just trying to have a little fun. Don’t be soserious!” She’s grinning as I slowly turn to look at her.

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