Page 71 of Bossy Hero

Perhaps I chickened out, too scared she’d cut off contact again.

So I let her go, tucking tail and retreating to my empty SUV. But the inside was frigid despite the oppressive Florida weather. Rage flooded me. Disappointment too.

And a pain in my gut that I knew I wouldn’t be able to shake until I spoke to her. Almost an hour later, the gnawing ache persists.

Because she chosehimover me.

Joe motherfucking Stein.

How did that tool manage to get her to accept a date with him? What’s his secret?

Perhaps he didn’t give her a choice, much like he was doing when I pulled him off her. My knuckles throb as my fist tightens.

While grinding my teeth to the point of pain, I text his name and license plate number to Tomer with a short explanation. He replies a few seconds later with the thumbs-up icon thing.

I assume Joe’s been added to Tomer’s little kill list. MFKL, or whatever he calls it.

Good. That’s where that shit stain belongs.

Why, Maddie?

I grab my Redleg tablet from the passenger seat where I threw it when I saw Madeline walking out of the restaurant with that fucker beside her. Fortunately, the screen isn’t broken.

First, I send a message to Leo through the app, letting him know his mother is home safe. Next, I toggle to the location tracking app. I need to ensure he isn’t anywhere near here. He’s right where I thought he’d be—on the job.

Making a split-second decision, I set my location to private. Last thing I need is to explain to any of my people why I’m camped out in Maddie’s driveway, boiling over with rage to the extent the windows are fogged from my heated breaths.

Ishouldleave. She’s home safely. Her house is securely outfitted with some of our best tech. There’s been no sign of the douche nozzle. She doesn’t need personal protection now.

Yeah, I should go.

And yet, I’m still here. No closer to starting the SUV and driving off.

Fuck it.

My knuckles rap against her front door ten seconds later. I glance to the side, notice the doorbell, and ring it a few times obnoxiously. Might as well holler for her too. No sense in holding back at this point since I’m already halfway to causing a fucking scene on her porch.

“Maddie, it’s Alan. Open up.”

Irritation blankets my body, nearly choking me.

A light flickers on inside the house, shining onto the door stoop through the nearby window.

“Alan?”

“Yep. Open up.”

Over the clicking sound of the lock, I steady myself and get my anger in check.

Two deep breaths later, and I realize it’s not anger.

It’s rejection. Pain. Anguish.

The door cracks, and I stifle the urge to fling it the rest of the way open and barrel my way inside. Despite those overwhelming urges, I force myself to stay rooted until she invites me inside.

She positions herself in the doorway so that she’s neither blocking me out nor welcoming me in. “What’s wrong? You look upset.” Leaning forward, she twists her neck to scan the yard. “Is Leo okay?”

Shit.

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