Dirty Flirty Enemy

by Rayne, Piper

  Everything runs through my brain at warp speed and I realize what needs to be done. “Greg?” He stops at the hostess station and I walk over to him. “Can you give me an hour before you call Bella?”

  The expression of “I knew you were fucking her” crosses his face, but he nods. “Sure.”

  “Thanks.”

  As soon as I climb into the cab, I pray I can get this handled so she at least has someone there for her after Greg breaks the news. I’m not the one who should help her when I profited from her loss.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Bella

  “I know you’re screwing him. Justin told me the two of you travel back and forth to the Hamptons—just the two of you. Why would you do that when you supposedly hate him?” Max deposits my coffee on my desk, crosses her arms, and stands in the same stance she uses when she thinks she’s being intimidating.

  She doesn’t intimidate me.

  “It’s called getting info on the enemy. Like recon work.”

  She rolls her eyes. The office door opens and my stomach flips with the hope it might be the man in question. Thankfully, Max turns to see who it is and doesn’t catch my disappointment when Evie walks in.

  “Nice outfit. And you’re successful at your job?” Max asks.

  Even I can admit that her t-shirt with ‘Not today Satan’ printed on it and her multicolor cheetah print leggings aren’t the epitome of professionalism.

  Evie puts her hand up in front of Max’s face. “I work from home. You’re jealous. I understand.” She beelines it past Max and sits in the seat on the other side of my desk. “Can we talk for a minute?” she asks me. “Oh, and I’ll take a coffee.” She gives Max a saccharine smile.

  Anyone listening in would think they didn’t like each other, but the truth is they just like to have a go at one another. Neither of them ever takes offense.

  Max reaches for the door handle. “I can point you to our coffeemaker.”

  She shuts the door, and the room is silent. Other than a word here or there, Evie and I haven’t talked much since that night at the bonfire. She has her opinion about Carm and is somehow disappointed in me for not demanding to be called girlfriend.

  “Here, I stopped on the way over.” She digs into her purse and pulls out a box that she places in front of me. From the Magnolia Bakery packaging, I know there’s a cupcake inside. “I was going to grab Annie a s’mores one, what with her addiction to making them every weekend, but they were out.”

  “Evie,” I sigh, ready to put our argument behind us.

  Her head bobs right and left in a mannerism I’m familiar with. The only other time we got into a disagreement and acted like juveniles was right before college when her boyfriend didn’t come to graduation and I told her it was grounds for a breakup. I guess we’re kind of protective over one another, and maybe I shouldn’t have been so mad when she voiced her concerns about Carm.

  “I’m sorry, okay? I just felt like you were settling and taking less than what you deserve. You don’t need some douche who only wants your pussy and not your brain or your heart.”

  I smile because she’s worried, as I am.

  “But I guess he seems okay. I just wish you’d define it as a relationship since it is a fucking relationship.” Evie props her feet on the edge of my desk.

  My landline buzzes. I press the button. “Say I’m in a meeting.”

  “It’s Greg Throttle,” Max says over the speaker.

  Evie’s face falls. She doesn’t know who he is. I mean, I might’ve mentioned him casually, but Evie isn’t a clout-chaser and probably doesn’t really understand his importance.

  “Give me a minute, okay?” I ask her.

  She nods and slides out of the office, closing the door behind her. She joins Max at her desk.

  I pick up when the call is transferred. “Hi, Mr. Throttle.”

  “Bella, please it’s Greg.”

  “Okay. Greg.” I pick up my pen and poise it over my notepad so I can write down whatever notes he’s going to give me. “Is this about one of the deals? Helena’s been a great help.”

  “No. As far as I’m aware, it’s all going smoothly. Your buyers have been very easy to deal with, which is helpful since there’s no broker to mediate the deal.”

  My stomach sinks. He knows what FSBO means. “That’s the one downfall, but the bonus is your savings on commission. Especially with you not having to pay a percentage like you do to other brokers.” I purposely don’t throw Carm’s name out there. The commission he’s making on these condos is huge and we all know it.

  “I understand that, but after some consideration and since we’re down to the wire now—”

  “There’s still six weeks and neither one of us has sold all the units.” Unless Carm withheld information from me? But I talked to Justin in the elevator this morning and he said they’ve been looking high and low for their last buyer with no luck.

  “Technically yes, but I’m going to adjust the agreement between us and throw a little bonus your way for your trouble.”

  This is why I hate dealing with men like this. I want to ask if he’s screwed over my mom too. Did they break up? Did he find some other hottie to keep him company and that’s why I’m being kicked to the curb like an unwelcome stepchild? “Bonus?”

  “Yeah, good news is the Hamptons house is yours for the rest of the summer and no more rent. It’s a bonus for a job well done.”

  I roll my eyes and catch Evie and Max staring into my office with concern.

  “I don’t want a handout.” It’s the truth, but if he’s firing me from the job, it’s probably wise to take him up on his offer.

  “Please, I insist. I have no use for it and I’ll never find anyone else to rent it anyway.”

  “Okay, well, thank you for that.”

  “I am taking away the remaining units you haven’t sold though. I’ve given the project to Carm. I apologize for the early termination, but this building needs a flashy sale. Helena’s mentioned that it’s too much work for her to show the FSBO units and how great Carm’s office has been at handling his deals.”

  I twirl my finger in the air. Screw Helena and her fake tits she throws in my boy… Carm’s face all the time. “I understand. FSBO isn’t for everyone.”

  I should put that as my slogan on my billboard. A warning to potential clients.

  “I’m so happy you’re good with this. Lin—your mom was worried how you might take the news, but this is just business.”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, I better get going. I’m heading down to Florida to see your mom this weekend. You should come down with me sometime. We can take my private plane.”

  I nod but don’t actually answer.

  “Bye, Bella. Have a great weekend up in the Hamptons.”

  “Bye.” I hang up and my head falls onto my desk, smashing right into the cupcake box.

  The creak of my office door’s hinges sound, but I don’t move.

  “I’m sorry,” Evie says. “This was for you to eat away your sorrows, not use as a pillow.” She picks up my head and takes the box and lays my head back down on the desk.

  She knew. How did she know?

  I sit up straight and look at her. The great thing about friendship is that sometimes you don’t have to speak the words for the person to understand.

  “Carm called me.”

  My eyes close on a sigh. “He already knew?”

  She nods. “I guess I might’ve been wrong about him.” She sits on the edge of my desk, prying open the box. “We can salvage this with a fork.” She turns and looks over her shoulder. “Max, your boss needs a fork.”

  “When did he call you?” I ask.

  She shrugs, licking the buttercream frosting off her finger. “Like, half an hour before I came.”

  I slide out of my desk and stomp across my office. Why didn’t he call me? He should be the one here, rather than sending my best friend in to save the day.

  “Where are we g
oing?” Evie asks, like a kid on a field trip, following on my heels.

  “Are we finally going to kick his ass?” Max is two steps behind her.

  I fling open the door of Mancini Real Estate. All his little minions stop what they’re doing and stare wide-eyed at us.

  “Hi,” the receptionist—who I never got the name of—greets me, but I spot Justin outside the corner office.

  “This is, like, twice our size. What the hell?” Max looks around. “And they have an actual break room, not just a table.” She steps over to the door of the break room and points at an array of goodies inside. “Is this all free?”

  I ignore her. “Justin!”

  He peers up from his computer. His eyes are wide and his face pales.

  “How old is this kid? Sixteen?” Evie says from behind me.

  “He’s twenty-two,” Max says.

  We both whip around. She looks away, which says that Carm was right, our assistants might be screwing each other.

  “Where is he?” I glance at the closed office door.

  “Not in. At lunch.” His gaze goes to Max.

  I step to the side to block his vision of her. “Where? And when is he due back?”

  He picks up his phone, but he’s flustered, and he drops it, then picks it back up only to drop it on his desk again. “Um…” He glances at the phone on his desk then the computer.

  “It’s not that hard of a question.” Evie steps forward, trying to peek at his computer.

  “He’s with his brothers,” he says, clearly panicked.

  “Oh, that’s easy enough.” Evie grabs her phone out of her cross-body purse that looks more like a reusable grocery bag than a purse, and she presses a few buttons before bringing the phone to her ear. “Shit, voicemail.” She rolls her eyes. “Hey, Annie, it’s Evie. Give me a call, girl.” She ends the call and tosses the phone back into her purse.

  Which leaves us back at square one.

  “Okay fine. When is he due back?” I ask nicely, trying to calm Justin. I imagine he’s scared, what with being confronted by three women with fire blazing in their eyes.

  “He didn’t say.” He slides to the side to look at Max.

  “Stop looking at her. She’s not going to save you because she’s on my side.” I step forward and eye the computer with Carm’s schedule on it.

  Justin’s gaze flickers to the screen and he presses a key on his keyboard and the screen goes black.

  Tricky little fucker.

  “Where was he this morning?” I want to know how long Carm’s known about this. Did he just find out?

  “Relax, ladies.” Max steps up between us, looking more like our little sister compared to my and Evie’s taller stature. Plus, we wear heels and Max… well, that’s just not her. “Justin…”

  “Max, it’s my job. He’s my boss, and obviously, she’s upset,” he says as though I’m not even there.

  Evie snickers and we exchange an amused glance.

  “I know, that’s why I’m going to settle this.” She picks up the phone. “Call him.”

  His eyebrows draw together. “No.”

  She waves the phone. “Come on. You get him on the phone and Bella will do the rest.”

  His Adam’s apple bobs, but he presses a button and puts the phone to his ear. “If I get fired, you’re hiring me at the same rate,” he says, looking at me.

  “Oh please, you’re due for a promotion. He’s keeping you down anyway.” Max shakes her head.

  I think I can safely bet on who holds the power in the bedroom if they really are sleeping together.

  “Carm?” Justin says. “It’s me… Bella Scott is here asking for you.”

  I yank the phone out of his hand. “Carmelo Mancini, we need to have some words.”

  The silence makes me think Justin called the wrong number until his throat clears. “Okay. I think we both have something to say.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Carm

  I’m first to arrive at the Trading Post, which is a first in all the years we’ve been meeting here for lunch.

  Our usual waitress, Kate, approaches me. “Surprised to see you here so early.”

  The best I can do is give her a wane smile. I know she’s used to seeing us for lunch, but this is an emergency and can’t wait a couple of days.

  “Stella?” she asks.

  “Jack and Coke,” I answer without thinking.

  Her eyebrows pull together, but she nods and disappears.

  My fingers tap on the table while I wait, my mind whirling with the fierceness of a tornado winding up to an F-5 level.

  Kate brings over my drink and slides into the seat across from me. The restaurant isn’t busy since it’s only ten forty-five and lunch service hasn’t started yet. She places the drink in front of me. I stir the straw twice, lick it clean, and place it on my napkin before taking a sip. After I down a third of it, I realize she’s still sitting across from me.

  “What’s up?” I ask.

  Her finger follows the grain of the lacquered wood table, her eyes following her finger’s path. “I think it’s pretty clear, don’t you?”

  Fuck. Not now.

  “What is?” I ask, feigning ignorance.

  “The fact that I’ve been throwing myself at you for the past year. Hell, I cut you deals, I’ve given you my phone number, I’ve asked you to share a ride with me. So I’m just going to put it out there… do you want to get together sometime?” Her blue eyes stare at me through her long dark lashes.

  I’m going to hurt her. Might as well start a line in front of me of women who want to kick me in the balls at this point. “I’m sorry, Kate, but I’m kind of in a situation right now.”

  “Situation? You mean relationship?” Her lips are already pulling down at the corners.

  I hate causing someone sadness. “I mean… well, I don’t know what I mean, but we’re in agreement not to be with other people.”

  “Sounds like a relationship to me.” She slides out of the chair.

  “I think you’re great and I’m sorry if I ever gave you the wrong idea.”

  But she’s already a step away from the table, her eyes on the door where I see Dom entering and heading our way. “No. It’s fine. I should’ve taken the hints.” She smiles at my older brother. “Hey, Dom, I’ll be right back with your drink.”

  “Thanks, Kate, and can you put in an order for mac and cheese? I’m in a hurry.”

  “Sure thing.” She diverts any eye contact away from me and disappears back down the hallway.

  “What did you do? She looks like Blanca did when we told her the Easter Bunny wasn’t real.” Dom takes his usual seat to my right.

  “She asked me out and I turned her down.” I down another third of my Jack and Coke.

  “What are you drinking?” His expression reads, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “Jack and Coke.”

  “Just like college.”

  I shrug, wanting him to shut up.

  “Anyway, why are we here?” He looks toward the door, probably for Enzo.

  “I got the Bond Street project.” I down the rest of my drink, and when Kate returns with Dom’s, she brings me another.

  “That’s the last for him,” Dom says.

  Kate diverts her gaze to me and nods before walking away.

  “Are we celebrating? Because you don’t look like you want to throw confetti,” Dom says.

  “Sorry, traffic and Annie’s twenty questions made it hard for me to get here.” Enzo sits down across from me. “I thought you weren’t inviting him.” He nods at Dom.

  “Why would I not be invited?” Dom asks, picking up his drink.

  Another waitress I’ve seen a few times approaches the table. “Hey, boys, I’m going to take over for Kate. She’s not feeling well.”

  “Great. Now you’ve screwed us over.” Dom shakes his head in disgust.

  I throw my hands in the air.

  “What am I missing?” Enzo turns to the new wa
itress, whose name I never caught. “I’ll have a water and a goat cheese pizza. And I’ll be putting in a to-go order before I leave.”

  I roll my eyes. “God forbid Annie gets her own lunch.”

  “Strike one.” Enzo holds up his finger, his mouth pressed into a thin line.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I ask.

  Dom blows out a breath and pulls out his phone, his thumbs scrolling along the screen.

  “You keep knocking my relationship with Annie and I’m sick and tired of it. Yes, I love her, okay? Which means I do what she wants to do, and I grab her lunch when I’m out. But guess what, asshole, she does the same for me. When you love someone, you enjoy doing things that make them happy, so get over whatever it is that pisses you off about me doing things for her.”

  Dom shuts down his phone. Both our mouths are hanging open.

  “Well… okay,” I say.

  “Seriously.” Enzo’s face is red like when he was thirteen and we teased him about how many showers he took and the nudie magazines in his closet.

  “I’m sorry. I was just busting your balls. I didn’t know it bothered you so much.”

  “Now you do.”

  I eye Dom, and he cringes but distracts himself with his drink. When the waitress sets down Enzo’s water, I hope it cools him off. Out of the three of us, he’s the least likely to lose his shit. When Dom does, it comes as no surprise—he’s always a grump. But Enzo is pretty even-keeled unless something is really pissing him off, which in this case seems to be me.

  “Why are we here anyway?” Enzo asks a minute later.

  “Carm got that deal on Bond Street,” Dom says.

  “You called me away from the office to celebrate?” Enzo asks with a tone of displeasure.

  “No. I called you down here because with me in, that means Bella is out.”

  “Ohh,” they say in unison, leaning back in their chairs, understanding the hurricane that’s about to hit shore.

  “And this is going to ruin whatever the hell you two have going on with one another. Which is what exactly?” Dom asks.