Page 96 of Heartbreaker

“For another,” Banks says dryly, drawing Aspen even closer, “I don’t think winning over the woman I love can be consideredstriking out.”

“And I don’t think that one”—Briar nods at the woman Dash was hitting on and we all turn to see her sling her arm around another woman’s shoulders then kiss her deeply—“is for my brother.”

Jade’s mouth falls open. “Holy baloney,that’sa kiss.”

I nip at the top of her ear, my next words for her ears only. “Okay, Shortcake, nowI’minsulted.”

Her cheeks go pink, and she turns to me, settling her hand on my chest. “I didn’t mean that you—I mean,we—” Pink turning to red, her mouth opening and closing a few times, like an adorable fish. “I mean,you—” Then her eyes sharpen and she swats me lightly on the chest as she clues in that I’m teasing her. “Royal-pain-in-the-butt! How dare you?”

The table freezes.

Then breaks out into laughter.

Briar is almost bent in half, nearly spilling the one drink she allows herself before she has to go and relieve Mrs. X from her babysitting duties.

Banks and Aspen hold on to each other as they cackle.

Dash’s big guffaw makes it clear he’s not worried about striking out, especially as he shrugs and slings his arm across the back of the booth. “Who knows?” he says. “They could be open to a third.”

I roll my eyes and unleash my strongest, most powerful glare on all of them.

“That nickname better not see the light of day,” I threaten.

Briar straightens, leaning over and clapping me on the shoulder. “Give it up, Royal-pain-in-the-butt. We’re immune to your glares, and that nickname is here to stay.”

I stifle my groan, turn my glare to Jade. “This is your fault.”

Her hand on my chest slides up to cup my jaw, and a sliver of pride slides through me when she leans up and slants her mouth over mine, kissing the fuck out of me.

This isn’t a woman who’s ashamed to be seen with me.

“Woo, mama,” I hear distantly, and realize that Briar has stopped laughing at me and is now fanning herself. “Talk about akiss.”

“I think we should go home,” Aspen says, trailing her hand down Banks’s chest. “Likerightnow.”

“Jesus, brother,” Dash mutters. “Get a fucking room.”

“Going home works for me,” Banks says, dragging Aspen even closer.

“Oh, my God,” Jade murmurs, her blush growing to astronomical proportions. But before I can remind her that I fuckingloveit when she’s a siren between the sheets, Atlas reappears, and one look at his face has cold gripping my insides and squeezing tightly.

“What is it?” I rasp.

“You two need to come with me.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to ask for an explanation—he’s spinning on his heel and marching across the floor, the crowd parting for him as he disappears down the hallway.

“What’s going on?” Briar asks.

I shake my head, flicking my gaze to hers for a heartbeat. “I don’t know.” I stand up, reach down and take Jade’s hand, drawing her to her feet. “But we’re going to find out.”

Jade and I hurry after him, finding him standing in the open door of the manager’s office.

“Sit down,” he orders, closing it behind us then moving to the desk, perching on the edge of it. “First, know that there is no fucking way that I’m going to let this stand. I’ve already got my legal team working on it, and they’ll coordinate with your team on best steps forward.”

Jade begins trembling as she settles in one of the open chairs. “P-please just tell me what’s happening.”

Atlas exhales. “It’s not going to be pretty, Jade. You’ll need to brace yourself.”

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