Page 16 of Temptation and Tyranny

I drained the last of my scotch, slamming the glass down perhaps a bit too hard. “I’m not pussy-whipped like you, Steele. I make my own fucking decisions and I don’t have to justify them to you. Look, can we get back to the point? You wanted to warn me about Viktor, consider me warned. Anything else?”

Steele’s amusement faded, replaced by a look of genuine concern. “Yeah, there is. Whatever you’re involved in—with Viktor, with this mystery woman—be careful. You’re playing a dangerous game, Cooper. Don’t let your ego get you killed. You’re still my best friend.”

For a moment, I felt a flash of my old affection for Steele, the man who’d been more than just a business partner—who’d been a mentor, a friend. He’d bought my family food, put a roof over my head and gave me the means to provide for my father. But then I remembered the sting of his departure, the way he’d walked away from everything we’d built together.

For a woman.

“I can take care of myself,” I said, my voice cold. “And my business is my own. Stay out of it, Steele.”

I stood up, my anger mounting with each syllable that came out of my former business partner’s mouth.

Steele reached out, grabbing my arm. “Cooper, wait—”

I jerked away. “Thanks for the drink, and the warning. But I think we’re done here. Go home to Ashlynn.”

Before I could exit, his hand on my shoulder forced me to turn around. His eyes were pleading, and like usual, the memories of our friendship won out. I followed him back to the table.

“I promise not to talk about the business anymore,” Steele said, taking a chug of his drink. “But I did want to ask you something.”

“What?” I asked, a little too harshly.

“I was able to procure Ashlynn’s wedding dress…we’d like to get married at the end of next month.”

The guilt I was feeling now tripled, knowing the question that was coming. It had to be me. He didn’t have anyone else.

“Will you be my best man?”

Our friendship might be rocky, and I knew that he didn’t feel exactly warm towards me right now, but that didn’t matter.

“Of course.” I didn’t hesitate, knowing that if I really needed him, he would do the same for me.

Steele grinned and sighed, as if he was nervous about my answer. I squirmed a bit, feeling bad about how I’d deflected his concern and got angry when I knew in my heart he was just looking after me.

“Thank you, Cooper. I mean it. I know you’re hurt and I feel bad from walking away from that side of the business, but—”

I waved my hand, dismissing his apology. “It’s okay, Steele. I know why you had to leave. It isn’t a choice I’d make for myself, but I need to respect it.”

Steele nodded, bringing his fingers up to stroke his chin. He seemed like he wanted to say something else, but he let the silence linger.

I finally broke through the unspoken tension. “So where is this happening?”

A faint smile came to his lips. “My estate—well, mine and Ashlynn’s estate. She loves it there, and the weather will hopefully be nice enough so we can do it outside. It’ll be short and sweet. Just a handful of guests. You can bring Colton and your dad, if you’d like. And—maybe whatever girl has you up a wall. Unless she’s a prostitute, Ashlynn would freak if—”

“She’s not a prostitute.” I growled at the assumption and realized that I’d only confirmed Steele’s earlier accusation. Now he knew for sure that there was someone in my life, and that she was important enough for me to defend rather savagely.

“Well, whoever she is, you should bring her.”

I’d only dated girls a handful of times, preferring my female encounters to be an easy exchange. They got cash, I got to live out whatever fantasy I wanted during the dark hours of night. I didn’t want a girlfriend, I didn’t want to let anyone into my life. Between Steele, Colton, and my father, that was enough.

“You know me, Steele. There’s never anyone who lasts more than a night.”

Steele looked around the room, motioning tothe waitress to bring us each another drink. “One day Cooper, you might feel differently. I’d hate to think you might pass by the perfect woman for you because you’re too wrapped up in the business.”

Before I could respond, the waitress came over, and slipped Steele a napkin. She fiddled with arranging our drinks before Steele passed the napkin back. “Sorry, I’m practically a married man,” he said coldly. “My friend is available, though.”

She looked at me hopefully, but I just turned my head away from her. I could hear her heels clack along the marble flooring as she teetered away.

I looked at Steele, and his face was scrunched up as if he was fighting laughter.

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