“Dammit, we’re going to have to do this, aren’t we?” Derek muttered, glaring at his assistant, who never quite took him seriously.
“Did Maxie seem interested in the party?” Lucas asked.
Lexie grinned. “She did. She might have mentioned something about wanting to be Catwoman. And that would solve your costume problem. You could go as Batman.” She sounded pleased with herself.
Lucas’ mind immediately went to a vision of Maxie in a leotard outlining her curvy body, a cape, tights on her long, sexy legs, and cat ears on her head. And if she could find an outfit with snaps between her legs like that hot-as-fuck lingerie she’d worn for him their first night, this party was sounding like a better idea by the minute.
“I’m almost afraid to ask what costume that leaves for us,” Kade said, pulling Lucas’ focus back to the discussion at hand.
“It’s a go!” Lexie clapped her hands, and Tessa raised her fingers in a victory sign.
“I can’t wait! Let’s go pick a date.” Lexie raised herself up on her heels and pressed a kiss to Kade’s cheek. “Thank you!”
She turned to Lucas and hugged him briefly before doing the same to Derek, who was muttering to himself about women. And men being whipped.
He was not wrong.
A few hours later, Tessa knocked on his door and entered without waiting to be asked. “Lucas, you need to get out here quick. Kade’s got a guy up against the wall, and I’m afraid he’s going to kill him.”
Lucas shot out of his chair and rushed for the main area, knowing there was only one man who’d get Kade that worked up. He immediately saw the problem. Kade had Julian Dane pinned against the wall near the elevator.
Their one-time friend, former partner of sorts, and the man who’d blackmailed Kade and tried to get shares of Blink or derail their IPO, had his hands in the air. He obviously wasn’t looking for a fight, but Kade wasn’t listening.
“Kade.” Lucas stepped up to them, bracing a hand on his friend’s shoulder, hoping to distract him.
“I just want to talk,” Julian said.
“Well, I have nothing to say to you.”
Lucas understood why. Julian had dated Lexie’s sister, pretending to be in love with her, all the while using her to get what he wanted. Unfortunately, Lexie’s sister, Kendall, had bipolar disorder and was going through a rough patch at the time. Julian’s behavior hadn’t helped Kendall’s mental state and had nearly broken up Kade and Lexie. So no, Lucas didn’t think Kade would take seeing Julian well. At all.
“Then let him go,” Lucas suggested.
They didn’t need Julian deliberately provoking Kade into hitting him so he could file a lawsuit or, worse, have Kade arrested for assault.
Kade dropped him and, still breathing hard, stepped back, glaring at the other man in disgust. “Get the fuck out.”
“I’m just worried about Kendall,” Julian said.
Kade let out a bark of disbelief. “The time to worry about her was before you fucked with her head. Now leave before I call the cops and have you arrested for trespassing.”
“I’d go if I were you,” Lucas said to Julian, punching the elevator button to emphasize his point.
“Fine. I suppose it’s too much to tell her I came by?”
Kade started toward him again, and Lucas grabbed him by the arm, pulling him back.
The doors opened and thankfully Julian stepped inside. He glanced at Lucas, and he could swear he saw a hint of regret in Julian’s gaze.
Lucas waited until Julian was safely gone before turning to Kade. Around them, the office staff had gathered, to watch and to gossip.
“Come on. Let’s go into your office and talk.” He slapped Kade on the shoulder and led the way into his friend’s office.
Unlike Lucas’ messy desk, Kade’s setup was stark and clean, courtesy of his anxiety and OCD tendencies. Kade had himself under control, but a confrontation like this wouldn’t be good for him.
“Want me to call Lexie?” Lucas offered.
“No. I don’t want her to know about this. She’ll get worked up and worried that Julian will get in touch with her sister. Which he’ll do over my dead body,” Kade muttered.