Dirty Savage Boss (Cocky Billionaire 1)

“So this is more than you wanting to get her pregnant?”

I stared at my best friend. His smile was gone, and he looked like he was upset on her behalf.

“I’m not using her,” I snapped.

“But you were.”

I rubbed my jaw where it ached from clenching my teeth. “That’s how it may have started, but once I decided on her it was more than that.” It was such a relief to admit it. “Is there anything else? I have a plane to catch.”

“You might want to rethink leaving so soon.”

I sat back in my chair. “What now?”

“Chloe called out sick.”

I sat up straight. “Is she okay? Should I send my personal physician?” Panic laced my gut. My worry for her was an indication that I felt things for her on a level I hadn’t for anyone else.

Ian’s eyes narrowed. “Are you forgetting something?”

“No, damn it. What do you know?”

His smile returned. “You love her, don’t you?”

I leaped out of my chair, that word sending a frightening chill down my spine. The last person I’d loved had died. When Mom had passed, I’d sworn never to love another thing because my love hadn’t saved her.

I fisted my hands and paced. “I don’t know what this is, but I need to know Chloe’s okay. You have to go to her.”

“Why don’t you?” he asked.

I glared at him. “Because she won’t see me.”

“Maybe she will now. You do realize according to our information she should either be on her cycle or finding out she’s pregnant.”

Realization dawned. She’d called out sick. But then again, women sometimes had complications with their cycle that made them ill. Her being out didn’t guarantee she was carrying my child. “What do you think? Is she?” What would she do? If she was, I couldn't force her to have my child.

“I think you should talk to her and find out for yourself.”

He was right. Before I went, I needed to know something else. “Were you able to make that deal happen?”

Ian gave me an answer. After he left, I delayed my meeting and rescheduled my flight. Unfortunately, I still had to go. But I drove to Chloe’s first.

I stood at her door with my hand held up to knock. Only the door opened, and Chloe’s expression of shock and guilt scared me. What was she hiding?

“I can’t talk to you right now. I’m late for an appointment,” she said, schooling her features.

I licked my lips. “Just give me five minutes.”

She crossed her arms over her chest like she was cold. “Fine, but make it quick.”

I pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. She stared at it, not knowing what was inside.

“I made you a promise and I’m keeping it.”

“What?” she asked.

“Inside you will find papers that make you fifty percent owner of your former company. I’m still negotiating the other half. But considering all that has happened, I assumed you would want to leave my company and go back to the job you loved as soon as possible. I will buy it all for you and I promise to leave you be. You won’t hear from me anymore. Ian will keep you informed about our progress.”

I turned to leave. It was killing me to be so close to her and not touch her.

“Wait!”

I shut my eyes a second before opening them and facing her. “Chloe, I’m doing my best here. But I can’t be near you.”

Her face fell and her mouth closed. I nodded, acknowledging that she had nothing left to say. I hadn’t asked her if she was pregnant because I had no right to. Everything I’d done to her behind her back made me sick. What kind of bastard had I become in order to beat my cousin? But it was too late to take it back. The only thing I could do was disappear for a while and let her figure things out on her own. If she was pregnant, I didn’t want to pressure her into anything she wasn’t ready to do. She had my number if she needed me.

Thirteen

Chloe

It only took a few seconds before I called out to Ryan again. He stopped but didn’t turn around. “Chloe, I told you—”

“I know what you told me. But you should come with me.”

That gained his attention. He slowly spun and I noticed his brow was creased. “Where are you going?”

“No questions. Just get in my car.”

I was a little surprised when he followed my orders. I drove him to my appointment and when he saw that I parked at the large medical building, he grabbed my hand.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I think so. Come on.”

He followed me inside and I observed his expression when we entered the women’s center. His brain had to be churning, but he didn’t say a word. I gave the receptionist my name and we sat down. When they called my name, I grabbed his hand and dragged him behind me.