Bully King - J.A. Huss Page 0,10

at each other with a mixture of confusion and fear.

“And the answer is no. You will not get that cottage back. You will live at home like your brothers did when they were in school.”

“But—” Cooper makes to protest.

The Chairman stabs the phone and barks, “Send in the next one, Laurie,” even though the door is wide open and everyone in reception just heard that entire exchange.

He turns to us. Frowns at Cooper. Says nothing to him and instead redirects his attention to me. “Cadee.” He walks over to me and offers me his hand.

I don’t know what to do except take it and allow him to help me up.

He kisses my knuckles and I hear Cooper breathe, “What the fuck is happening right now?”

I wish I had an answer for him, but I don’t. And he just saw his father—a man I do not know. Like at all!—just kiss my hand and invite me to live with them.

Like… is that… what basically happened here?

“Once again,” the Chairman says, “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I’m sure we’ll get that truck back eventually. In fact, I’ll make it a priority.” He holds my hand in both of his. Pats it. “We’ll get your stuff back. But in the meantime, you make yourself at home in our guest suite and Cooper here will fill you in on your new job. In the fall, my dear Cadee, life will look completely different than it does now. And you will be getting ready for your freshman year at one of the most elite private colleges in the world. Congratulations.”

Then his smile disappears just as quick as it formed. He turns to Cooper and growls the words, “Get the fuck out,” between clenched teeth.

I don’t even know what’s happening, but I’m so done.

I’m trying to leave, but there’s a girl waiting in the doorway for her… meeting? Hell, maybe she’s getting an invitation to be the Chairman’s… what? What was that?

Did he come on to me? In front of his son?

Oh, my God. No. Oh, my God. This is not happening.

I almost knock the waiting girl over as I push past, and then I have to jostle my way through the crowd of kids—who just heard everything after Cooper entered the office!

I’m so… I don’t know. Humiliated? I’m not sure.

I just head for the stairs and start down them, trying to make my escape as quick as I can.

I’m just about to head for the doors that lead outside when Cooper Valcourt grabs me by the arm, swings me around and pushes me into a little alcove under the stairs.

“Oh, no, you don’t. Fuck that.” He pushes me against the hard, stone wall and leans down into my face. “You’re not walking out of here until we have a little chat, Cadee.”

CHAPTER FIVE - COOPER

I seethe down at her. “What did you tell him?”

“Nothing!”

“You lying little bitch! You told him!”

“I did not!”

“Then why was he all over you like that?”

“I don’t know! He called me in for a meeting and… there was tea, and talk of North Dakota, and then…” She throws up her hands. “He invited me to live with you guys!”

“Why?”

“He didn’t say!”

“Jesus fucking—” I turn around and scrub my hands down my face. Can this day get any worse?

“He gave me a job. That’s it. A job, and a scholarship at the end.”

“No.” I’m shaking my head as I turn back to face her. “This is not happening.” Calm down, Cooper. You don’t have any of the facts yet. Let’s get the facts. “What job?” I growl.

“Some… lake house. Glass place?”

“Fuck.”

“What?”

“What did your mother know?”

“Nothing!”

I lean down into her face and hiss, “Liar. You’re such a little fucking liar! You told her, didn’t you?”

“Cooper.” She grits her teeth and sneers at me. “I did not. Tell her. Trust me. The last thing my mother would’ve wanted to know was that I got a secret abortion when I was fifteen! It would’ve devastated her. I did it for you.”

I hate Cadee Hunter. “I wish I’d never fucking met you.”

She slaps me. Hard. I reach for her, but she ducks under my arm and starts running for the door.

I chase her. But she pushes through the doors and by the time I’m outside, she’s already down the stairs, sliding into a crowd.

“Over here!” Lars calls from off to the left.

“Grab her!” I call, pointing at Cadee, not even caring that there are dozens of people around. They are all busy with their own

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