At the same time.
They look like that type.
“I’ll get back to you next week. Thanks.” He clicks off the phone and lets out a deep sigh.
“What was that all about?” I ask.
“One of my old finance professors at Great Lakes University wants me to cover his class next semester while he goes on a book tour.”
My eyes widen. “What the hell are you gonna teach, The Art of Extortion? Money Laundering 101? How to Create Your Own Drug Trafficking Ring? Sanitizing Crime Scenes?” I chuckle. “Hey, if I could’ve taken classes like that, I might’ve considered going to college.”
“I didn’t say I was going to do it.”
“It would be good for you. Open your eyes to the opposite sex. Maybe a little professor-student role play. Could be kinky, and Christ knows you could use some action. Anything that gets you away from these monitors.”
“I appreciate your interest in my sex life.”
“Oh, so you admit there is one?”
“You’re getting to be a real smart ass, Xander.” He quirks an eyebrow. “And you smile a lot. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“I’ve got a lot to be happy about, like the fact that I get laid multiple times a day. Try it. It might make you smile, too.”
He flips me off and collapses into his chair with the iced caramel macchiato topped with extra whipped cream and caramel drizzle I brought. “That’s great to hear,” he says, taking a long sip. “I’m happy for you guys. How’s Cammy doing these days?”
“Good. She’s coming out here for a visit next month.”
“Is Charlotte going to tell her you guys are living in sin?” he snips.
“Nah, she’s got enough to deal with from the schmucks on the board of Hawthorne Industries. She doesn’t need any more stress. Besides, Char doesn’t stay every night.”
“Oh, right, it’s only the ones that end in -y.” Phoenix grins, the first one I’ve seen in a while. Maybe there’s hope for him after all.
“You might want to consider a more manly coffee drink,” I say, pressing my luck. Phoenix is definitely in a shitty mood, and I’m trying hard to get him to shake off whatever is lurking behind his hard glare. Maybe it’s because I just busted a nut, maybe it’s because I’m happy and I want him to find the same thing. “It’s embarrassing to walk in asking for your frou-frou shit. Can’t you just get a black coffee, for Christ’s sake?”
“You want to find a new job with Jase back in Ridgeview?” Phoenix growls. “Or do you just want to keep getting my macchiatos?”
I put my hand in the air. “Okay, okay. So, what’s up? Is the pole stuck up your ass giving you splinters or something?”
“No,” he grunts. “I’m dealing with something. Something big.”
“Tell me,” I say, leaning forward.
He shakes his head. “It’s too soon. I’m still trying to figure out all of the players. But from what I know, they’re dirty. And goddamn ruthless.”
“Well, then, they’re pretty much fucked, right? Since you’re dirtier and more ruthless than anyone else I know.” I snicker.
He taps his phone screen, his expression darkening. Then he stares out the window again. Phoenix assesses risk for a living and he always knows the right moves to make to close the best deal.
He always wins.
That shouldn’t change just because new players are showing up to play the game.
Right?
He suddenly slams a hand on the top of his desk and I jump, the hot espresso sloshing through the sip hole of my lid. “Sometimes that’s not enough,” he says through gritted teeth. “Especially if money isn’t their goal.”
“Then what is?” I ask, my mouth dry.
Phoenix’s lips stretch into a thin line and he pauses before answering.
“Revenge.”
The End.
About the Author
Londyn Quinn, shoe whore, beauty guru, and wine connoisseur, prides herself on the twisted, dark, and devious mind she hides so well behind her façade of flawless foundation and thick lush lashes. Sometimes, beauty really is only skin deep. Beneath all of the glitz and glam, she loves to concoct dirty and devilish stories about bad boys and the snarky, sharp-tongued girls they love to hate…and hate to love.
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Also by Londyn Quinn
Ridgeview Prep Series:
Prick
Puppet
Princess
Great Lakes University Duet:
Predator
Prey
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I need to thank this amazing book community! You guys have helped me see dreams come true in such a short amount of time! I am so grateful to each every person who has taken the time to read the very first series. I am just so blown away!
Ari and Britt from The Red Hatter Book Blog: You two are amazing. I don’t think what I would do without your support and amazing encouragement throughout this entire process. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
To my amazing hubs: this has been a wild ride that I wouldn’t want to be on with anyone else by my side. You are an amazing man and I love you to the moon!
To all of the amazing book people in Londyn Quinn Addicts: Thank you so much for being a part of this journey with me, for all of the laughs, and for being my cheerleaders! I love our little group!
Princess: Ridgeview Prep Book 2 Page 21