Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Him and Steele?
The dark, scary Marine with ice cubes for eyes, and permanent glower was his boyfriend?
What an odd combination.
Cassidy had no clue the sexy geek was with him. Whenever he’d seen Tech and Steele together, they just moved like work partners. There’d been no touching or heated glares.
Same with God and Day. Married, partnered, and connected in a way anyone with a pulse could feel. But when they were on the job, their love was there, it just didn’t interfere.
“We’re not judging you,” Tech said. “We’re telling you the line is manageable. Stay locked into your AOR and keep your head in the fight. Those blue eyes that can’t stay off you for more than two minutes, and all the rest of him, will be waiting at the end of the day for you to enjoy if you do your job right.”
Cassidy diverted his gaze to where it belonged
The waiter delivered the food to Xander’s table a few minutes later. He’d ordered a buffalo fried chicken sandwich and parmesan truffle fries that overflowed on the wide plate.
“There was a grilled chicken option on the menu,” Carla said in a tone that grated on Cassidy’s nerves.
The table went still as Cassidy watched out of his peripheral.
Xander glanced down at his abundant plate, then the rest of the table, his cheeks flaming bright red as he pushed it away.
Carla kept going. “You have the Golden Crown Awards in a few weeks. You’re wearing Dom Ford, and your measurements have already been sent.”
Xander’s gaze flicked towards him.
It took a lot of effort not to give in and meet Xander’s eyes, but he managed.
“Is that witch fuckin blind?” Ruxs said in his ear. “Xander’s hot as hell.”
Cassidy agreed with every violent part of himself.
Before he could consider whether it was his place to step in, Jesse Ross slammed her pen down on her notepad.
“He can eat whatever the fuck he wants, Carla.”
She reached over and slid Xander’s plate back in front of him.
Carla frowned. “But Jessica—”
“No buts.” She leaned forward. “His last physical showed him in perfect health. Heart strong, labs good. That’s all that matters. And his suit will fit fine on a body millions of people already love exactly as it is.”
The team’s expressions shifted, one by one, into open disgust.
Her mouth tightened. “I’m just thinking about the optics. That’s my job.”
“You are always thinking about optics,” Jesse snapped. “That’s the problem. You think like a goddamn robot. You don’t think what you just said was insensitive and hurtful as fuck.”
“I was hired because I’m good at my job. I know what the people want,” Carla argued.
Jesse picked up her dry martini, then set it down with a hard clink.
“If you think the people,” Jesse said with air quotes, “are looking for some sculpted David model, then you’re more than welcome to go find one and work for him. Otherwise, keep your body-shaming bullshit to yourself.”
Carla gaped, blinking as if she really didn’t think what she’d said was wrong. “That is not what I was doing.”
“Yes, you were, and you did it in a public restaurant. With everything Xander’s been through, you’re bitching about what he’s eating.” Jesse put her hand up. “Actually, never mind. You’re fired. Get up from my meeting and away from my client. Now.”
Carla choked. “Wh-what? You can’t fire me. I work for Xander, not you.”
Jesse stood and the entire table seemed to shrink around her.
“No, bitch. You work for me. I manage Xander’s entire team, and that includes you.” Jesse’s voice rose the more she went on. “I decide what’s in his best interest…and it damn sure isn’t you.”
“Holy shit,” Ruxs whispered. “This woman is in beast mode right now.”
“Yeah,” Green said, “And she’s attracting attention.”
Jesse pointed toward the front door. “Get the fuck out, or I can have HOS escort you out.”
Cassidy wouldn’t throw her out, he didn’t have that authority, but he assumed Carla wouldn’t test it.
He’d always thought Jesse Ross was good at her job, but now he had a new-found respect for her.
Carla gathered her papers with stiff, furious movements, shoving them into a red leather tote, before she stood.
Diners pretended not to watch as she marched toward the front doors, chin high, heels clacking, humiliation rolling off her in waves.
Outside, she stopped in front of the paparazzi and snarled something into the cameras before storming down the sidewalk.
“I didn’t like how that looked,” Green said.
“Free,” Tech murmured. “Tag Carla Kline, Xander’s publicist. Well, former publicist, and put her on a passive monitor. Socials, press contact spikes, the works.”
“On it,” Free responded.
Jesse sat back down and tapped one manicured fingernail near his plate. “Eat.”
A small smile tugged at Xander’s mouth as he picked up a couple of fries and dipped them into the ketchup.
Cassidy turned away before Xander could catch him watching.
“Maribel,” Jesse said, settling back in her seat. “I’m relying on you to get ahead of this. I want the focus moved off the threats and onto studio cooperation, his upgraded private protection, and most of all his commitment to finish filming.”