Dirty Arrogant Boss (Cocky Billionaire 2)

“You haven’t lost her,” Ryan said.

My eyes narrowed. I knew I wouldn’t like what was said next.

“I’m your partner now,” Chloe said with a tentative grin.

Though I loved Chloe as an employee, I wasn’t ready to lose my company to her. “You gave her my company? And I’ve lost everything that matters.”

Ryan held up a hand, as if that would make everything better. “Isn’t she a better partner than your ex? You just said she was the best thing about your company. With her, you’ll have someone who wants to make a difference. It’s not like you’re losing anything except your ex meddling with your company. You’ve gained something far more.”

Though what he said made sense, I’d never seen my ex as my partner forever. I’d been trying to buy back my shares for a while now.

Chloe stepped forward. “I’d be willing to sell it back to you if you don’t want me. I don’t want bad blood between us. You will be a cousin… let’s just call you an uncle to our child.”

I glanced between them. “You’d sell me your half?” I asked, calmer now.

She nodded. “I want you at our wedding.”

Holy shit. “You’re getting married?” I looked to both of them, waiting for an answer.

“Yes, and I want you there. We don’t have much family left. I want us to mend fences. You used to be like a brother to me,” Ryan said.

Ryan had still won. I stared at Chloe’s flat stomach a second, wondering if Molly was pregnant. If she was, would she tell me?

“Hold onto her, cousin. You don’t want to know what it feels like to lose the only woman you’ve ever loved,” I said, rubbing at the ache Molly’s absence had left in my chest. I turned to Chloe. “I regret so much. I poured all the work onto you because I knew you would get it done. Maybe you are what this company needs. At least now I’ll share it with family.”

Chloe came over and wrapped me in a hug. I held on because I’d felt lost and alone. Without my parents and grandparents, I’d had no one. Molly had been that lifeline for me. Though I wanted her, I kissed the top of Chloe’s head. She was a good woman and Ryan was a lucky bastard.

I reluctantly let her go, seeing Ryan’s jaw flex. “A wedding, huh?” I asked again. They nodded. “I’ll be there. And Chloe, I expect to see you at work tomorrow. We have a lot to do.”

With my absence at work, and without Chloe there to keep things going, who knew if we were on track for our next publication?

She grinned and Ryan clasped my hands. “I hope you find someone. It’s the best thing that’s happened to me.”

Then an idea formed. “About that, I have a favor to ask.”

Thirteen

Molly

The last weeks had been miserable. I’d alternated between crying and sobbing. Work had been awful as I’d been reminded daily of what Hugh had done.

The best news, however, came from Mr. McNeill when he emailed me to tell me that Dad had been granted an appeal. It wouldn’t take place for at least a month because it had to be placed on the docket, but that was the only thing that had made me smile in days.

“Wow, it’s about time I see that frown disappear.”

I glanced up from the computer to see Joe standing there. “Oh, hey.”

“What’s been up with you lately? I’ve been afraid to approach you.”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Molly. I know you much better than that.”

“Okay, man troubles.”

Joe gave me an odd look. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing, other than I got into it with the guy I was seeing.”

“Oh? Over what?”

“Jeez, you’re nosy.”

He held up his hands. “Sorry, didn’t mean to pry.”

“Hey, have you talked to Chloe lately?”

“No. She’s your friend. I never talk to her unless you’re around. Did something happen?”

I shrugged. “I don’t think so. I just was wondering.”

He walked away, but our conversation nagged at me for the way he was so curious. I let it drop and went back to the email from Mr. McNeill. That got me thinking about Hugh. I needed to talk to someone, namely Chloe, about things. I’d have to come clean with her about our relationship. Maybe we’d still be friends after she found out, but right now I really needed a shoulder to cry on.

That night I called and texted her but didn’t get a response. I wished she’d answer because I needed a sounding board. The phone rang and I jumped. Then a long sigh escaped past my lips as I saw it was Chloe calling me back. “Oh, Chloe, thank God. I need to talk to you.”

“I need to talk to you too.”

My stomach rolled with the worst wave of nausea. I never got sick like this. I hadn’t eaten lunch so it couldn’t be food poisoning. “Chloe, I gotta go. I’ll call you right back.” I made it to the bathroom just in time. Throwing up was one of those things I’d bargain with the devil over. What the hell had happened? I didn’t have a fever or headache so it couldn’t be a virus. Then it slammed into me like a tank. “Oh, no. Not now. Why now?”