CHAPTER 22DENISE
CHAPTER 22
DENISE
It didn’t take Cleo long to pack a bag and get ready to go. I side-eyed her the whole time, daring her to say something to me about the way I was glaring an entire hole into the side of her head. Hugh and Lucian were waiting outside and giving us the space to talk but, Cleo’s ass was silent as a mouse for the first time in her life.
I was used to her keeping some shit to herself, but she knew me and there was no way she was leaving the house without giving me something, anything about her and Lucian. She grabbed her duffle bag and tried to walk out the door, but I stood in front of her.
“Denise.”
“It looks like I’m not the only one dickmatized, Cleopatra .”
Groaning, she threw her bag down, “You get two questions.”
“Are you giving me two questions just so you can refuse to answer my questions, or are you going to actually give me some damn tea?”
Cleo glared for a moment and then she did a twirl with her hand that told me I was going to lose my questions if I didn’t hurry the fuck up.
“So, you and Lucian are…” I said, drawing out that last word and waiting for her to fill in the gap.
“I don’t know what we are.” When I glanced at her and raised my eyebrows, she grumbled.
“What?! I’m dead ass. I didn’t tell you anything because it’s not anything. Not really. He’s been texting me since the day the video dropped. I wasn’t replying and then… I was.” She crossed her arms across her chest.
“Okay, question two: are you sure? You can come back with us; it’s been a day.” I grabbed her shoulder, and she gave me a soft smile.
“I’m good,” she said.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I promise,” she replied, grabbing her bag.
“Okay, I do have one more thing,” I sang while following her out.
We got to the front door before I turned and looked at Cleo and whispered, “Question three: how big is it?”
Hugh called out, “The fuck did you just ask her?” as Lucian gave a barking laugh by the steps.
Cleo rolled her eyes and fiddled with her big-ass key ring.
“Girl, you play too much,” she said, as I felt Hugh’s arm come tight around my front and pull me into his warm body.
His hand tightened on me as Lucian grabbed Cleo’s bag, and they walked down the stairs. When I turned, I saw the expression on his face. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were blazing. It almost felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs. I tried to take a breath, but I couldn't, I was drowning in it.
“Take your ass down the steps before I embarrass you in front of your friend,” he spoke low, and I tried to reply, but all that came out was a stutter.
It seemed like a funny joke, but with the way he glared down at me, I knew he didn’t think it was funny. The knowledge zinged around in my belly, and the anxious energy I was feeling started to melt away
It turned out Lucian’s penthouse was in Hugh’s building, twelve floors up. Rich asses. I looked over at Lucian in the passenger seat. He wasn’t just my boss now; he was my bestie’s… something. Hugh said something and Lucian gave a throaty laugh.
“Nigga, please.”
He caught my eyes and gave me a little smirk and a wink, and I felt my cheeks heat, knowing I’d been caught staring.
“What?” Lucian asked.
“Sorry, I just—this is different,” I muttered.
“Ah,” he smiled and turned all the way around to glance at Hugh. “There’s a negro under my suit and Denise just realized.”
They both laughed and I felt my blush grow hotter.
“Fuck both of you rich ass muthafuckas.”
The car exploded into laughter as I gave them both the finger.
As the driver of this fancy-ass fucking Maserati pulled up outside of the condo building, I hopped out and tried to go right into the building as Lucian grabbed me by the waist and gave me a hug.
“I was just playing, girl. Don’t get all grumpy.”
“Unhand me, villain,” I said pushing at his arms as the group erupted into laughter again.
“Whatever you say, Duchess,” Lucian said with a bow.
Hugh grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. I gave Lucian the finger again as the four of us trudged forward.
“Mr. Foxx. Mr. Calder.” The man at the door smiled as we walked up.
“Thank you, what’s your name?” Cleo asked as I rolled my eyes. That girl really wanted to be friends with every single person she met.
“Rick, ma’am.” He replied, giving her a smile. I saw his eyes bounce down once before he caught himself. Cleo acted like men never watched her, but she just wasn’t paying enough attention.
“Cleo, please, I’ll never be a ma’am. Thank you, Rick,” she gave him a wide smile and I marveled. Hours ago, she was reliving one of the worst moments of her life and now she was smiling and being adorable.
When she walked past, Lucian’s hand found the small of her back and he gave Rick a smile that had far too many teeth to be polite. Rick looked away from Cleo and towards the street. The man may as well have pissed on her leg to claim ownership.
As we walked towards the elevator bays, Lucian pointed to a second bay that only went to the penthouses. The attendant saw Lucian and he jumped to press his key to the door. I grabbed Cleo’s hand, and she turned to me.
“We’re unit A on floor forty-five. You can text me anytime,” I said, eyeing Lucian.
“I’ll be fine,” Cleo said, gripping my hand before following Lucian toward the elevator that was waiting for them. I turned to see Hugh holding out his hand for me.
“She’s going to be okay,” he said as he walked us into our own elevator.
“Yeah,” I replied, hoping that was true.