Page 179 of One Bossy Disaster

“I have a name,” I throw back.

“Destiny, Destiny. Of course. Such a pretty name for a gorgeous girl.” Adriana practically sneers. Meghan slumps lower in her chair, that neon-red hair falling across her face like she wants to disappear behind it. “My bad. How couldanyoneforget?”

Holy hell.

I’ve never wanted to rip at anyone’s hair and find out if it’s a wig so badly.

“Meghan said she might consider retracting the very personal claims made on her channel recently,” I continue, refusing to let her get to me.

Adriana’s sneer disappears as she cranes her head at Meghan like a snake.

“Is that what you said, sweetie?”

Meghan jerks up in her chair.

“You’d know, Mom,” she whispers. “You wrote the message...”

“Oh, yes, that’s right.” Adriana’s pink nails tap the tablecloth. “Well, as it happens, I would like to discuss this a bit more. There’s been an interesting development.” She reaches into her oversized bag and pulls out a set of glossy photos, then slides them across the table to us.

At first, I wonder why I’m looking at X-rated photos in a fine restaurant.

Then I recognize Shepherd’s ass mid-thrust, and a spill of blonde hair beneath him.

Oh, no.

Oh, shit.

These photos weren’t anywhere online. I didn’t know they’d been taken.

The canopy of leaves is too thick and dense to capture everything, but there’s just enough skin to know what’s going on.

No plausible deniability.

And that’s not even the worst part.

Anger vibrates through me.

It’s like I’ve been defiled, having something so personal stolen and laid out here like we’re discussing a flipping movie script.

Exceptno oneshould ever be subjected to this.

I try to find the words to even process this, but I never get the chance.

Shepherd’s knee knocks against mine as he flicks through the photos, his expression deathly blank and unimpressed.

When he moves, I jump.

He throws them back at Adriana so hard they go spinning.

“Why the fuck are you doing this?”

“Like you don’t know,” Adriana snarls. “You’re not a stupid man, Foster—even if you’re inclined to make bad decisions with your dick.”

“Obviously, I don’t know, or I wouldn’t have asked.” He leans back in his chair, arms folded, still observing them both with arctic disdain. “I find it odd that you’d show a complete stranger pornographic material in public.”

Adriana’s face flushes, blotchy through her makeup. “So, that’s how you want to play it? Fine. Whatever, Mr. Man. If you aren’t willing to discuss a little settlement that could keep this nice and quiet and private, well, maybe I’ll just have these pictures blasted out to everyone who wants a copy. I’llruinyou for screwing a subordinate.”

I tense and go numb.

---