Page 69 of Stanton Adore

“Todd, the fuckwit, has turned up at the place where Josh is drinking.”

“Oh shit, that can’t be good.”

“I know, anyway he has ordered his bodyguards out of the Observer Hotel. They are going to get into a fight.”

“Oh fuck.” Abbie winces.

“I know,” I snap. “OK, come up with a plan.”

“Plan.” She frowns. “I’m hopeless at plans.”

“Just fucking think of one.” As I speed up, a taxi pulls out in front of me and I swerve to miss it.

“I want to get there alive you know.”

My tongue is hanging out as I concentrate. I hold up my hand. “OK, I’ve got it. You’re going to take one for the team.”

“Huh.” She frowns.

“You need to get Todd out of there so, so…take one for the team.”

She bursts out laughing. “You want me to sleep with Todd to save him.”

I smile at her as I drive. “Please don’t grow morals now. I need you.”

“Jeez, chill out, will you? I’ve already slept with Todd and I don’t really want to do it again.”

I slam my foot on the brake and we both jump forward. “Eeww, you tried to set me up with your sloppy seconds?” I’m beyond mortified.

“Well, how else would I know he wasn’t a serial killer?”

“I have no words for you now. Actually, yes I do. You’re repulsive.” She smiles her sneaky slut smile at me, and I shiver in repulsion. Thank god Josh saved me, I shudder to think what could have happened. I would have been scarred for life. We get to the bar and park the car. With linked arms we gingerly approach the bar.

Adrian sees us.

“Oh, thank god you’re here.” He smiles. It is then I see the three burly bodyguards out front.

“Who are they?” I point to the three men with my chin.

“This is Thomas, Josh’s bodyguard.”

I frown. “Where’s Ben?”

“He went home to America for a funeral.” I smile and shake his hand. “And the other two are Josh’s friends’ bodyguards.” “What do Josh’s friends do?”

“They are executives at IBM.” Abbie rolls her eyes at me as if to signify more ridiculous wealth. I smile and nod, totally understanding her meaning. I look through the window and see Josh walk over to Todd, holy fuck. It is actually laughable to think that a man with as much power as Joshua Stanton, who is probably wearing a fifteen-thousand-dollar suit, is in a bar, ready to pub brawl like a pig farmer. With apprehension I walk into the bar and straight over to the two men. I walk up behind Josh and hear him snap out the words.

“Why in the fuck did you say it then?”

“To piss you off, and it worked, didn’t it?”

“Don’t push your fucking luck or you will be coughing up a kidney.” My heart warms at the sound of my knight in shining armor defending my honor.

I put my hand on his back. “Hi baby.”

He turns and frowns, shocked at seeing me. “Tash, what are you doing here?” he slurs. Oh my, he is drunk.

I smile. “I came to take you home, baby,” I whisper in his ear. He smiles and leans into me. Simultaneously Abbie grabs Todd’s hand and drags him to the dance floor. I give her a wink as she passes me. Todd looks like he is the cat that got the cream and is quite happy to be sidetracked by my beautiful friend.