Page 104 of The Rebel King

I open the door cautiously, almost overlooking the guard sitting in the corner of the small reception area. He quickly averts his eyes.

I’m not wearing a bra. Great.

Nippling in this tank top. Panties hanging out of my pocket. Barefoot. Well-fucked hair all over the place. This is some trashy shit right here and not my proudest moment.

I flash the guard an awkward smile while I wait for the elevator. The security staff know about Maxim and me. Most of them were with us in Wyoming. They probably think it’s strange that wedon’ttell everyone. Fortunately, this is a private floor and you have to know the code to get up here. I should be safe.

The elevator doors open, and before I can step on, Glenn steps off. We both stand there, suspended in our mutual disbelief. I grip my bright orange bra so tightly, I’m sure I crush the wires in it. His gaze falls to my fist of orange satin, and his mouth drops open.

“Glenn, I can explain.”

He grabs my wrist, flipping my hand over and forcing my fingers open. The bra, garish in the morning light, falls to the floor. He doesn’t let my wrist go but squeezes.

“You little bitch,” he says through gritted teeth. “Him?Him, Lennix? Miss I Never Fuck My Candidates. You hypocrite. What a cliché you turned out to be.”

“Glenn, you’re hurting me,” I whisper because I don’t want to alarm the guard, who will rush him if I show any sign of distress.

The door opens behind us, and I close my eyes, already knowing how ugly this will get and blaming myself.

“What’s going on?” Maxim asks.

I look over my shoulder, and he takes in the whole scene at a glance, from my bare feet and the bra on the floor to Glenn’s fingers manacling my wrist.

“Get your damn hands off her, Hill,” he says, every word a knife aimed and hurled at Glenn’s head. He strides over and pulls me out of Glenn’s grip, glancing at my wrist, where Glenn’s fingerprints have left livid red marks. I see the snap happen in his head and position myself in front of Glenn.

“Doc,” I say, pressing my hand to his bare chest.

He looks past me to Glenn and then to the guard in the corner, who’s on his feet but apparently unsure how to best intervene and awaiting instruction from Maxim.

“You just stood there? While he did this to her?” The guard opens his mouth, but Maxim puts up one silencing finger. “Don’t. I’ll deal with you later.”

He turns a brimstone glare on Glenn. “You are fucking fired and lucky I don’t shove my fist down your throat. If you ever touch her again,markher again, I’ll blackball your ass so hard you won’t find a job sweeping floors. Am I being clear with you?”

“You fire me because I dared to touch your little whore?” Glenn snarls. Maxim lunges, but I push against his chest.

“Don’t.” I grab his chin and force him to meet my eyes. “Please let me handle this.”

“Letyouhandle this?”

“I’m his boss, Maxim. I should deal with it.”

“My boss?” Glenn scoffs, turning to press the button to call the elevator. “I’m glad you turned me down. There’s no telling where that pussy’s been.”

Maxim steps around me and grabs Glenn by the collar, lifting until he’s on his tiptoes. The guard pulls Maxim back by the elbow, forcing him to release his hold on Glenn.

“Sir, that’s not wise,” he says. “Mr. Hill, you should go. Now.”

Glenn steps onto the elevator as soon as it comes and stabs the button until the doors close.

“What did he mean, you turned him down?” Maxim asks, his voice velvet-covered steel.

“Really? That’s what you focus on?”

“When did he ask?”

“Yesterday after you left.”

“You should have told me.”

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