Page 35 of Her Billionaire Bossholes

Caleb, who has been observing the heated exchange in silence, finally speaks up. "I have to agree." He stands up and addresses the room with a calm yet firm voice. "Charlie, we appreciate your dedication to our safety, but it's important to remember that we are the ones who built these organizations from the ground up."

"My decision for your safety takes precedence over anyone else," she claims confidently.

Leo scoffs. "You aren't in charge, sweetheart."

Charlie opens her mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand, silencing her for a moment. "You aren't, Charlie."

"I am," she shoots back, practically growling. "I was hired to ensure the safety of BioCore's CEOs by the board, not by the CEOs--not by you. I don't report to you, I report to them. You will either listen to me now, or they'll make you once I take my findings to them."

I watch as Charlie's frustration reaches a boiling point, her eyes flashing with determination. I can't help but admire her passion, even if it clashes with my own ideals. I glance at Caleb and Leo, hoping to find some support or guidance in their expressions, but they remain stoic, lost in their own thoughts.

As Charlie reiterates her position, emphasizing her responsibility to shield them from potential threats, I find myself captivated by her unwavering determination. Her words resonate with a sense of duty and purpose that demands attention. The weight of the situation hangs heavy in the room, each word spoken increasing the intensity of the standoff.

The air crackles with tension as Caleb and Leo voice their disagreement, challenging the necessity of the stringent security measures Charlie proposes. But she remains resolute, undeterred by their skepticism.

"I'm doing this," she decides, looking at each of us with finality. "You don't have a say. This meeting is over."

Leo jumps up and darts after her as she turns and tries to leave the room. He grabs her wrist. "This meeting is not over until we say it is."

She jerks herself out of his grasp and points at him. "You don't have any control over this, Leo. None of you do! If I can't make you see reason, I'll take it to the board and none of you can stop me."

Something in Leo's eyes changes, darkening. He grabs her forearm, gripping it tightly and yanking her toward him. He mutters something to her, something that neither Caleb nor I can make out, but whatever it is spikes the tension in the room to an unbelievable high.

"No," she spits, eyes flashing.

And then, shocking all of us, Leo drags her closer and slams his lips against hers in a passionate, heated kiss.

What the fuck?

30

CHARLIE

"Say my name again," Leo growls darkly.

Despite my anger, despite all of the frustration and countless emotions he and his fellow CEOs have put me through in the last ten minutes, my heart lurches up into my throat. The possessive glare in his eyes, the way he's using my forearm to keep me close--fuck, I can't fucking take it!

"No," I shoot back defiantly.

Without uttering another word, Leo crushes me against his body and claims my mouth in a forceful kiss that reveals just how he feels about me. I melt against him, curling my fingers into his shirt, ready to push him away. But I can't. Shit, I don't even want to. He tastes so fucking good, feels so good...

I feel my nerves jump at the sound of him moaning into my mouth, kissing back harder when his hand grips my waist.

"You're impossible," he growls with clear frustration.

"Fuck you, Leo," I snap angrily.

Am I angry, though?

"Well," Jackson says from across the room. "If you don't take her up on that, I will."

I jerk my head in his direction. "It wasn't a fucking offer."

Yes it was!a voice cries out in my head.

"I think it was," Leo whispers in my ear, sending shivers up and down my entire body.

Suddenly, Caleb is right next to me, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him. "I think someone needs to be shown who's in charge."

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