Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Her cousin and Dex’s agent, Austin, wasn’t pleased with their relationship. He’d warned her that they both had something to lose but she could only see the downside for Dex and promised herself she’d pull back. Something Dex made difficult for her to do because he was always there for her in every way.
She stepped off the elevator and right into Jeremy.
“Just the person I wanted to see,” he said, approaching her with anger in his narrowed gaze. “How dare you embarrass me by hooking up with another man so soon after our broken engagement. It’s public and humiliating!”
Anger welled up inside her at the audacity of the man. “Are you kidding? Just because you weren’t caught publicly doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible for things ending. Don’t try and twist things around, Jeremy. I’m short on patience this morning and you’re the last person I want to see.” She turned to go and he grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him again.
“Don’t walk out on me. We weren’t finished. You’ve been ignoring my calls and my texts about the business.” His face grew red with anger and she swallowed hard, jerking back her arm.
“Get your fucking hands off me and if you have a problem with my decisions about the business, talk to my lawyer.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Do you really think bringing in some outside forensic accountant is going to stop me from getting what’s mine? I built this business,” he said, his voice rising.
Oh no, he did not just say that. “We built this business and don’t you forget it,” she said, straightening her shoulders.
She wasn’t going to cower even if his fury was reminding her of that moment in her apartment when he struck her.
She glanced around but it wasn’t yet nine a.m. and they seemed to be alone.
He stepped closer and she backed herself against the nearest wall. “Move away,” she said in the sternest voice she could manage. Black spots flickered in front of her eyes. Dammit. She should have eaten something earlier.
“Hey! Get the fuck away from her!” Brandy rushed over and grabbed Samantha’s arm, pulling her from Jeremy who was looming over her. She stumbled toward her friend, grateful for her timing.
“Fucking bitch,” Jeremy yelled, before storming off in the direction of his office.
“I’m dizzy,” Samantha said, and Brandy immediately wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to a chair at the nearest desk.
Brandy knelt down, worry in her eyes. “What’s going on? Do you need me to call 911?”
Samantha ran her tongue over her dry lips, her head spinning. “I’m sure it’s low blood sugar because I didn’t eat this morning.”
Brandy pursed her lips. With determination, she said, “That’s it. I’m taking you home.”
Because Samantha felt like crap, she didn’t argue. She rose to her feet and immediately felt herself going down as she blacked out.
* * *
Later that day, Dex met his brother Jared at the gym near his apartment. The paparazzi had left his residence, allowing him to walk there. He worked out, showered at the gym, and after, they walked outside. The plan was for him and Jared to head downtown for drinks, to talk and catch up. Since their dad’s heart attack, Jared had been working overtime at the office, trying to do things that would take the heavy lifting off their father’s plate.
“Want me to drive us to The Back Door?” Dex asked.
Jared shrugged. “Let’s Uber. We’re going to have to come back uptown after. No need to go get your car from the lot.” He pulled out his phone to request a rideshare.
While waiting, Dex called Samantha to say hello. The phone rang and a familiar female voice answered. “Hi, Dex. It’s Brandy,” Samantha’s friend said.
“Hey. Is Samantha there?” Or was she too bogged down with work to talk, he wondered.
“She can’t come to the phone right now but… hang on.” He heard rustling, and then, “I’m back. Dex, Samantha’s in the hospital.”
His stomach churned at her words. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
“She had an argument with that asshole and passed out.”
“What?!” Dex drew a deep breath, getting control of his anger, and his worry. “Did he touch her?” His heart threatened to beat out of his chest.
“Yeah. After, she was dizzy and I had her sit down. Once she was better, I helped her stand… and she passed out cold. But she woke up pretty quickly.”
He blew out a long breath.
“She said she just hadn’t eaten today,” Brandy went on. “But I insisted she go to the hospital anyway. Someone called 911. She’s fine but I thought you’d want to know.”
“Are you there with her now?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Which hospital?”
The question had Jared staring in concern. Dex held up a hand. He needed answers before he could explain things to his brother.
He waited for Brandy to give him the name and Samantha’s location. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He disconnected the call and turned to Jared. “It’s Samantha,” he said. “She’s at Sinai, so I’m heading over. Sorry. We’ll catch up later?”