Page 167 of Stanton Unconditional

CHAPTER 25

Natasha

I STORM up the stairs and push through the crowd until I get to the door.

“Some creepy guys are following me. Keep them here till I get a cab, will you?” I ask the bouncers.

“Sure thing,” the huge bouncer replies as he crosses his arms in a definite tough guy gesture looking for a challenge.

I exit the club and run straight out onto the road. As I lift my hand for a cab, I turn and see my three bodyguards in a scuffle with the bouncers as they try to get out of the doors and follow me. A cab pulls up and I immediately jump in.

“Where to, love?” the driver turns to me and smiles warmly. My eyes flick to the door of the Ivy. “Umm, Rose Bay, please.”

I am furious, how dare he keep another secret from me? He obviously doesn’t give a damn about my feelings. My phone rings and the name Lambo lights up the screen.

Should I answer it? I tap my tooth as I think. Shit. “Hello,” I snap.

“Get your fucking ass back here now!” Joshua growls.

My blood boils…is he serious?

“You have got to be kidding,” I snap. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“Because I knew you would be a drama queen.”

“Drama queen?” I yell.

“Well, seeing as you are on your way home without your guards and you have just jeopardized your career by assaulting a lunatic, yes I would say you are a drama queen. Get your ass back here now!” he screams and then he hangs up.

I start to hear my pulse in my ears and put my hands over my mouth. Shit, he’s right. If that lunatic presses assault charges my career is screwed. What an idiot. He’s right, I am a drama queen. I close my eyes in disbelief at the turn of events. Why is my first instinct to run? I sit in silence as I stare out the window. Should I go back?

I can’t believe this shit, bloody TC. Abbie said she was trouble. My phone rings and I jump and look at the screen. Bridget.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Tash, what the hell is going on? Abbie and Cameron are having a screaming match and Joshua just told Ben off when he told him he couldn’t catch you. Where in the hell are you?’

I shake my head in anger. “Did you know that TC is bribing Joshua for millions of dollars?”

“What?” she stammers.

“She has video footage of her and Joshua having sex before we got together and Abbie the bitch knew and didn’t tell me.”

“What the hell?” she whispers. “That’s why she and Cam must be fighting. Cameron must have told her, and she let the cat out of the bag.”

“What’s Joshua doing?” I ask.

“Looking super pissed off with his hands on his hips and talking to the guards.”

“Sorry to bail. I just can’t believe he didn’t tell me,” I sigh. “You can’t blame the poor bastard. Look how you reacted.”

Regret hits my stomach and I blow out a breath. Why didn’t I stay and talk to him like an adult?

“I know,” I sigh. “I can’t come back, I’m too embarrassed. I feel like an idiot.”

“Do you want me to come home with you?” she asks

“No, you stay with the others and call me tomorrow,” I sigh. “Ok, chick, love you.” She hangs up.