Page 7 of Flirtatious

What are the chances she’s going to like having a by the book security chief?

CHAPTERTHREE

Mia

My head spinsat how manipulative my mother can be. Why I ever agreed to make her my manager is beyond me. Isn’t there some law against sixteen year old girls signing legal contracts or something?

Four hours of fighting with her has left me drained and utterly unable to remember a single good moment in my life. The relaxing couple of days I stole feel like a distant memory, something I heard about once from someone but never actually experienced.

“I’m not going to explain myself, Mother. I needed time away. I’m done here,” I say before turning on my heel and heading toward my room.

In my home. On my estate. Perhaps she needs to be reminded of that.

Behind me, my mother says in a low voice, “And one more thing. Michael’s been fired. I hired another chief of security, one who hopefully understands the basic tenets of his job and doesn’t confuse himself with your BFF. He’ll be here today.”

Every inch of my body stills in complete shock. Michael fired? She wouldn’t do that.

Slowly, I turn around to face her as everything in the living room fades away, leaving only the two of us standing in a sea of white rage that surrounds me. “Don’t. He doesn’t deserve to be fired, so whatever you did, undo it now, Mother, or I swear to God, you’ll regret it.”

My mother’s usually placid expression, courtesy of Botox, twists into an angry scowl. “He’s gone, Mia. You don’t need more people around you giving into every silly whim you have. You need someone who’s going to do his job. Period. If you want someone to be a friend, then find a friend, but Michael’s gone.”

My heart pounds like a jackhammer in my chest. My mother’s done terrible things before, but never has she done anything like this. Firing Michael is something I can’t forgive. She’s gone too far this time.

“Rehire him, or I will never perform again,” I say flatly, desperately trying to keep myself balanced as every emotion inside me threatens to explode all over her.

“No. It’s done and that’s that. The new man Jonah over at VIP recommended will be here in a few minutes, so make yourself presentable and try to remember that unlike you, the rest of the world is just trying to do their jobs.”

That’s it. I can’t keep anything in check anymore, so I scream, “I will never perform another show if you don’t bring him back!”

Casually, she shrugs and sits down to drink her morning energy shake. “You wouldn’t do that. You love singing.”

I march over to where she sits doling out her unjust punishments for people I care about and scream, “I used to love singing. Now I hate it!”

She opens her mouth to say something else that will set me off, but just then, I see my mother’s assistant Candy walk in with a man who towers over her. He’s got to be six and a half feet, and he’s built like a brick wall. Worst of all, he doesn’t smile or even look happy to be here.

This is my new chief of security? I don’t fucking think so.

“Oh, no! You replaced Michael with him? Nope!”

My mother’s expression turns to one of pure horror, likely because she thinks I offended some ridiculous code of conduct she believes everyone should follow. I’m not going to be polite if I don’t agree with something, and I definitely don’t agree with having that miserable giant guarding me.

Why doesn’t anyone understand there has to be a relationship between two people who work together? Michael was someone who cared about me. This guy looks like the Marines just let him go because he crushed his entire platoon with his bare hands.

I storm out and head up to my bedroom where at least I can be left alone and think. There has to be some way to get Michael back and that guy the hell out of here. I’m the goddamn moneymaking machine here, not my mother. She can’t do this. I’m not some underage little girl who needs her help anymore. I’m a grown adult who isn’t taking this shit anymore from her or anyone else.

As I pace back and forth across my bedroom floor, I can’t help but be curious about what she’s saying down there. I open the door a crack and listen for her usual nonsense about how we run a professional company and all that garbage.

Nothing happens here without me. Why is it she’s forgotten that?

I strain to hear her talking, but eventually a few words begin drifting up the stairs. “I’m sorry. She’s not herself this morning. Mia really isn’t like this. Really.”

Then the gigantic guy speaks, and I can barely contain my rage.

“I’m sure. I’m Liam Jackson. Jonah Bradley convinced me that I’m the man for this job. To be honest, I’m not so sure.”

What kind of attitude is that? Who hired this jackass?

But of course, my mother is more than happy to ease his worries. “Trust me, my daughter is a wonderful person. Honestly. Plus, if Jonah believes you’re the right man for the job, then I believe it too, Liam. Would you like something to eat or maybe some juice?”

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