Page 550 of Savage Bosses

“Um, it’s Charles.”

“Sure,” King responded with a hard look before lifting his hand to call over the server. “Whiskey. Neat.”

He turned back to me without acknowledging Charles again. “Nyla. We need to begin working on this first thing tomorrow. You’ll probably be busy every night and during the weekends. At least until the charity event. Honestly, should you even be out tonight? You really should have stayed behind so we could work out the details. But now here we are,” he said with a smile. He clapped his hands together lightly, as if he were enjoying this, and reached over to pick up my menu. “Since I haven’t eaten dinner, I think I’ll grab something after all. You don’t mind, do you, Charles?”

The disrespect shown to my date was mind-boggling. My mouth fell open in shock.

“Don’t worry. I’ll pick up the bill. It’ll be like we’re on a triple date. Isn’t that fun? Don’t you think that’s fun, Nyla? Have you decided on dinner? I already know what I want.” He was really playing this up.

“Why, King?” He knew exactly what the fuck I meant by that. My stomach was in knots, and my eyes tingled with emotion. This wasn’t fair, and he knew it.

“Because what we need to discuss is too important. My business does not run without you. And you going out on a date on the very night I asked that we work on these details? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Nyla, you’ve been with me long enough to know how I operate. Are you surprised I’m here?”

This was my first real date in more than three years, and he ruined it on purpose. I wanted to throw a tantrum and storm out, leaving them both behind, but I was made of sterner stuff. My momma and daddy did not raise a coward. It didn’t matter how much he pushed me. I would stay until the bitter end.

Too bad Charles had a different thought.

“You know, it sounds like the two of you need to discuss some important items. How about I leave you to it. Nyla, I’ll call you tomorrow and we can schedule again.”

“Don’t bother. She’ll be busy,” King bit out.

“How the…?” Charles sputtered. Maybe now he was getting a clearer picture of my situation.

Too bad this was the one time I could agree with King. “Actually, he’s right. Things are going to be hectic for a while. I’m sorry. I should have thought of that when I accepted tonight. Thank you for understanding, Charles.”

His gaze turned frosty as he looked between me and King. The longer he stood, the whiter the knuckles on King’s hand became. After a few awkward seconds, King stood. “Is there a problem?”

Something about that tone had me clenching my thighs. Was I so desperate and needy for this man that him using a threatening tone on my date got me hot? Yeah, I think I was.

Without saying another word to either of us, Charles walked away. Maybe I wouldn’t be getting that call tomorrow or any other day after all. I shrugged my shoulders, realizing it wasn’t a big loss. We never would have worked out anyway.

“Bitch-ass motherfucker,” King said as he sat back down. “Don’t ever try to date someone like him again. Tucked in his tail and ran out the door. He doesn’t fucking know me, other than my name. What if I was someone dangerous to you? If he was a man, he would have stayed and fought for you. Weak ass men piss me off. Fuck. You drive me to drink. Nyla, don’t even pull this shit again.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, wondering why he was upset. Did I get upset when he traipsed those other women all over town?

Okay, fine. Yes, I did get upset. But he didn’t know that.

Instead of answering my question, he asked one of his own. “Is that the type of man you want? Is he someone you prefer?”

Confused as hell, but still willing to play along, I said, “Prefer over who, King? I mean, there’s no one else in my life right now. I work twelve to fourteen hours a day during the week, and at least one day over the weekend. There’s been no time to date or find out who my type really is. I spend my days and evenings with you.” The more I speak, the angrier I get.

“Still not answering the question, Nyla.”

I fought the urge to yell, so my voice was strained and high-pitched. “You interrupted my date after I told you I wasn’t willing to cancel it. This was the first guy I’d met outside of work that I was interested in getting to know. Maybe exploring if I could have something for me. For myself. Then you show up here as if you have the fucking right to interrupt my night. All you do is growl and bark and expect everyone to do your bidding.”

He interrupted me. “No, just you, Nyla.”

A scream clawed its way up my throat. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

For the first time that night, I saw his lips curve into a smile. “Baby, I’m the fucking King. And you, sweetheart, are my Queen.”

Chapter Five

Nyla

T

he last week had been more difficult than expected. I’d tried reaching out to @GetMeOuttaHere on the Boss Be Damned chat, but she wasn’t responding. I truly hoped everything was okay with her. She was the only one I could talk to about what was happening right now. It felt like I was on the edge every day, and I couldn’t figure out how to get things right.

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