My brows climb my forehead, but I’m done letting people like this think they can walk all over me. I sweep a derisive glare over him and Dillon. “I didn’t realize that was my job. If anything, it should be her friends looking out for her. But with friends like you—like Bliss—who needs enemies, right?”
Jack’s expression flattens. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve all been walking on eggshells around Bliss for years, allowing her to tear people down and treat them like shit. And why? Because you thought you were safe from her?” I scoff. “The minute Marisa stood up to her,thishappened. Now you’re acting like you’re somehow surprised that Bliss would ever turn on you.”
Jack scowls. “So why are the two of you even fucking here?”
With quick steps, Dillon gets in his space, his shoulders back and fury flashing across his face. “Don’t swear at her, asshole. This isn’t on Charlie.”
A sarcastic laugh rips out of my throat. “Little too late to be speaking up now, don’t you think?”
Dillon turns to give me a steady look. “Never too late, Angel.”
My mouth thins at the endearment, fury slithering through my veins like toxic sludge.
“It doesn’t fix anything,” he acknowledges, never looking away. “I know that…but I won’t let anyone speak to you like that again.”
Barrett lets out a low sound of disbelief as another voice cuts in. “Dillon! Jack said you weren’t coming tonight.”
My eyes fall shut as I let out a low curse. There’s only one way out of the office, and now, Bliss is standing in that doorway—her brows raise high, mild amusement crossing her face as she takes us all in. Her eyes are heavy-lidded, her makeup smudged, and her hair is mussed.
“Bliss,” Dillon says warily, just as a guy steps up behind her, his wavy blond hair tousled and mouth turned down as he catches sight of Marisa. “Callum.”
He runs a hand through his hair, mouth twitching into a small smile that fades as fast as it came. “Hey, man.” He looks around the room, touching on everyone before going back to Marisa, his expression guilty as hell. “Is she…Is she okay?”
Marisa shifts at his voice, turning her head away, hiding herself in Jack’s chest. I glance over at them, catching his furious expression as he tightens his arms around her. “Whatever you’re here for, Bliss…Just don’t. You’ve done enough.”
Dillon frowns with consternation. “What the hell is going on?”
“You really want the gory details?” Bliss taunts him with a grin, ignoring Jack. “Didn’t know that was your kink, but guess we all have to get our kicks somewhere.”
No one says anything, Jack’s darkglare sliding off her and onto Callum—who has the decency to look away, pink rushing into his cheeks.
Dillon watches them before his stare goes to Marisa’s trembling form. I can see his brain working through the physical evidence, and then his eyes widen. “Tell me you fucking didn’t,” he demands, staring at Bliss.
She smirks, planting her hands on her hips. “Didn’t do what, exactly?” she wonders. “Fuck a single guy? Why wouldn’t I?” She doesn’t look at Marisa, acting as if her friend isn’t even there.
I snort contemptuously, just loud enough to draw her attention, and her smirk drops into a snarl. “What are you doing here? Someone needs to tell Carrie she’s got a rodent infestation.”
Okay, and the gloves are off.
Barrett bristles at my side, but it’s Dillon who moves, stepping in front of me, his face mottled red with fury. Before he can let it loose, I step around him, making him pause. He looks at me, a question in his eyes, but my focus is onher.
“You’re a real piece of work, Bliss,” I say succinctly.
She laughs with dark amusement. “Oh, yeah?” she says tauntingly. “You gonnaeducateme, Charlie?”
I look at Jack. “You should take Marisa out of here.” She’s drooping against his chest, her mouth slack and eyes hazy.
He throws me a concerned frown. “I didn’t drive, and I don’t want to wait outside for a ride while she’s like this.”
Barrett grumbles next to me—he knows me well enough to know what I’m going to say. He still glares at me first, just to let me know he’s not happy about it.
“My truck’s on the street,” he mutters, and I flash him a grateful smile, but the scowl only deepens. “Not leavingyou here with them.” He shoots a look around the room, lingering on Dillon. For what it’s worth, he doesn’t flinch, just tipping his chin with a nod of understanding.
“I’ll be fine.” I pat Barrett’s arm, clocking that Dillon tracks the movement. “I’ll be out right after you.”
Dillon steps closer. I don’t look over, even when he assures Barrett, “I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
