Page 23 of Filthy Rich Bosses

"Hello?" I answer, moving a few steps away, trying to put some distance between me and the testosterone-laden standoff in the room.

“Tessa, thank God you picked up,” comes Janine's breathless voice on the other end. She’s the lead at the rescue, and she never calls unless it’s serious.

“We’ve got a real situation here. There’s been a report of an animal hoarder—dozens of dogs, possibly more. The neighbors tipped us off, but they’re threatening to call Animal Control if we don’t get here first.”

My heart rate spikes. "How bad is it?"

"Bad," she says grimly. "We’re talking cramped cages, filth, malnutrition. The last time I saw something like this, we lost half the animals before we could even get them out."

I press a hand to my forehead, trying to think through the haze of urgency. “Okay, I’m on my way. Do we have a location?”

Janine rattles off an address in a neighborhood I know all too well for its rundown buildings and sketchy reputation. “It’s offJefferson and 9th. Be careful, Tessa. We’ve had volunteers get harassed down there before.”

I glance at the clock on the wall. The rescue is a good twenty minutes away, but with traffic, it could be longer. “I’ll get there as fast as I can. Start prepping the emergency kennels.”

“We’re on it,” Janine says. There’s a pause, and then her voice drops to a whisper. “Tessa, this place...it’s bad news. I have other calls going out and at least two other volunteers on their way, but you might beat them there. I’m not sure if you should go alone. Is there anyone who can come with you?”

I bite my lip, my eyes darting to Chase and Cole, both of whom are watching me intently. “I’ll figure something out. See you soon.”

I hang up, my mind racing as I turn back to the guys. Chase's playful expression has morphed into a serious look, his blue eyes narrowed with concern.

“What’s going on?” Chase asks, straightening up from where he’s been lounging against the counter.

I hesitate for a fraction of a second. “There’s an emergency. I need to go.”

Before I can say another word, Cole crosses his arms, a skeptical brow arched. "You’re going alone? To some shady part of town?"

“Yeah, Cole, that’s the plan,” I snap back. “I don’t have time to argue about it. Animals are suffering, and I’m not going to sit here debating my safety.”

Chase steps forward, his usual playful demeanor completely gone. "No way you’re going into a place like that by yourself. I’m coming with you."

I blink, taken aback by his sudden seriousness. “What? No, Chase. You don’t even know what you’re getting into.”

“I don’t need to,” he says, grabbing his jacket off the back of a chair. “I’m not letting you walk into a potential crack house alone. That’s just stupid. I’m coming.”

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am," he insists, his usually playful eyes now serious. "You might need backup."

I'm about to argue when Cole's deep voice cuts through the air. "Are you fucking kidding me? This knight in shining armor routine is a bit much." He's leaning against the doorframe, his muscular arms crossed over his bare chest. "What, is her pussy magical or something? Jesus Christ."

My cheeks burn with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. I open my mouth to tear into Cole, but Chase beats me to it.

"Shut the fuck up, Cole," he snaps, his carefree demeanor completely gone. "This isn't about that."

I want to fight Chase on this, to tell him he doesn't understand what he's getting into, but time is ticking. "Fine," I growl, yanking open the driver's side door, "but we're leaving now."

As we peel out of the driveway, I can't help but glance in the rearview mirror. Cole's still standing there, looking shocked and...something else I can't quite place.

"So, where are we headed?" Chase asks, breaking into my thoughts.

I grip the steering wheel tighter. "Like you said, it's a rough neighborhood. Animal hoarder situation. We’re talking dozens of dogs in cages, some possibly starving. You sure you’re up for this?”

Chase gives me a sidelong look, his earlier flirtatiousness replaced with something like resolve. “You’re risking your neck for these animals. The least I can do is back you up.”

I give him a curt nod, pressing harder on the gas. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. This could get ugly.”

My stomach churns as memories of Rusty flood back. The matted fur, the fear in his eyes, the way he flinched at every sudden movement. I swallow hard, pushing the thoughts away. I can't let my emotions cloud my judgment now. These dogs need me.

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