Page 25 of Filthy Rich Bosses

His deep-set eyes narrow as they flick between Chase and me. The air feels thick with tension as Cole's low, dangerous voice cuts through the silence. "What the hell is going on?"

I open my mouth to reply, but the words catch in my throat. Cole's imposing presence makes me feel small, and I hate that. I've never been one to back down from a fight, but something about his intense gaze makes me want to retreat.

Instead, I square my shoulders and meet his eyes. "Nothing that concerns you," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. I try to sidestep him, but he doesn't budge.

"Doesn't look like nothing," Cole growls, his gaze now fixed on Chase.

I feel a flare of indignation. Of course he'd assume it was Chase's fault. As if I'm not capable of having my own issues.

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. The urge to lash out is overwhelming, but I bite my tongue. These guys don't deserve to see how much they're getting under my skin.

"It's nothing," I growl, shoving past Cole. His cologne—woodsy and spicy—fills my senses for a brief moment. I push away the unwelcome flutter in my stomach.

As I storm toward the stairs, my mind races. Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to grab my stuff and bolt. These infuriating men, with their testosterone-fueled drama and misplaced protective instincts, are driving me insane.

But then reality crashes down. The bills piling up. The lack of a home. The reference I desperately need. The animals that depend on me.

I pause at the foot of the stairs, taking a deep breath. I can't let them win. I won't.

"Kitten, please," Chase's voice floats over, tinged with regret. "Can we just talk about this?"

I turn, facing them both. Cole's arms are crossed, his jaw set in a hard line. Chase looks like a kicked puppy.

"There's nothing to talk about," I say, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

As I climb the stairs, I silently vow not to let these men—or my own pride—ruin this opportunity. I've faced worse. I can handle this.

As soon as I reach my room, I shut the door behind me, leaning against it with a heavy sigh. The tension in my shoulders eases slightly as I spot Lulu curled up on my bed.

"Hey, girl," I whisper, my voice cracking slightly.

Lulu's tail thumps against the comforter as I approach. I sink onto the bed, burying my fingers in her soft fur. The familiar warmth of her body against mine acts like a balm to my frayed nerves.

"What am I doing here, Lu?" I murmur, scratching behind her ears. "These guys are driving me crazy."

Lulu responds with a gentle lick to my hand, her dark eyes full of unconditional love. I can't help but smile, feeling some of my frustration melt away.

"You're right," I say, giving her a final pat. "No use wallowing. We've got work to do."

I stand up, grabbing Lulu's leash from the dresser. "Ready for a walk, girl? And maybe we can make some more progress with Zeus."

At the mention of a walk, Lulu's entire body wiggles with excitement. I clip on her leash, taking a deep breath to steel myself for whatever awaits downstairs.

"All right, Lu. Let's do this."

As we descend the stairs, I'm relieved to find the foyer empty. No sign of Chase or Cole. Small mercies, I suppose. We make our way outside, the fresh air helping to clear my head.

Zeus' kennel comes into view, and I see his tail start to wag cautiously as we approach. My heart aches for him, remembering all he's been through.

"Hey, big guy," I call softly, crouching down near the kennel. "How about we try something new today?"

I unclip Lulu's leash and set it aside. Zeus watches us intently, his ears perked forward. I command Lulu to stay, then let myself into the kennel with Zeus. The introduction needs to be slow. Hecan be aggressive with strangers and I don’t know if that extends to other dogs.

"Okay, Zeus. Let's start simple," I say, my voice calm and steady. "Sit."

To my surprise, Zeus complies almost immediately, his haunches lowering to the ground. A smile tugs at my lips.

"Good boy!" I exclaim, tossing him a treat. Zeus catches it mid-air, his tail picking up speed.

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