Page 18 of Conquering Oz

“Who the fuck are you calling a kid, asshole?” Dalton shouted.

She pressed her hand against Dalton’s chest. “Calm down.”

Dalton’s fury turned on her. “Who the fuck is this clown?”

“Clown?” Julian laughed, clearly mocking Dalton. “Exactly how do you two know each other?”

“That’s none of your business,” she snapped.

That answer should’ve been enough. Julian had no right to know anything about her life, and she certainly wouldn’t offer up any information. Dalton, on the other hand…

“We’re lovers.”

Eww. He did not just say that. Right?Once again, heat shot up from her chest to her face like a blast from a furnace. This time it was from second-hand embarrassment, and she cringed. There were a slew of words that gave people a physical reaction. Moist being very popular. Cunt and twat not falling far behind.But for Elodie, it was lovers. There’d always been a creepy connotation. Never mind the sole implication by definition was sex.Which we’re not doing anymore, Dalton.

Julian curled his upper lip in disgust. “Looks like those legs do spread after all.”

Asshole!

Elodie whipped her head back around to Julian, balling her fists. She was beyond livid. Who the hell was he to speak to her like that? She straightened her back. She needed to remember she was in a public space and had to stay calm. These two had already made a spectacle of themselves. She wouldn’t do the same. She wouldn’t strike with her hands. She’d use her words.

“Yes, they do” —the corner of her mouth spiked— “but not for you.”

Julian’s jaw squared, and for a brief second she saw something shift in his eyes. He wasn’t offended, not hurt. It was something more. He was furious. Elodie rarely backed down to anyone, but she had enough sense not to anger someone who, at the moment, appeared unstable.

“Is there a problem?” The smooth deep voice came from behind her.

His voice was like molten lava. Only one conversation, and he hadn’t said much, but she could still distinguish it from any other.

Elodie slowly turned to the end of the hall. He stood about ten feet away near the elevators, along with Nash and three other men. From their expressions, it was clear they’d caught most of the altercation. As they moved closer, she noticed Oz’s darkened gaze lingering on her hand resting on Dalton’s chest. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she dropped her arm to her side. His gaze shifted to hers, and he raised his brows.

“It seems I have to repeat myself. Is there a problem, Elodie?” It may as well have been rhetorical. It was clear toeveryone there was an issue. However, Elodie would rather avoid any further conflict and certainly an explanation.

“I apologize for the, um…” She needed to choose her words wisely.

“Yet another disruption?”

He was using her own words against her. She mustered up enough dignity, and gave a small nod. This was beyond embarrassing.

“What is the issue?”

She opened her mouth, but Dalton sidled up next to her, closer than she’d prefer in Oz’s presence. It gave off a couple vibe. Elodie stepped away, missing her chance to answer him.

“Got this handled, bro, but thanks.”

Bro?Ugh, Dalton.Why did everything coming out of his mouth have to remind her he had the maturity level of an eighteen-year-old?Madalyn would love this.

Oz’s jaw clenched. “Sir.”

She shifted her gaze to Dalton, who furrowed his brows. “What?”

“You’re in my club, on my premises. You’ll address me as everyone else does.” Oz’s gaze hardened, and her heart rate spiked. “Sir.”

What the fuck was happening? This man was beyond tense, and she was getting heated, but not from anger. She peeked up at Dalton, who nodded.

“Yeah, sorry. Sir.”

“And you are?”

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