Chapter 10: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 10

I stumble into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and desperate for coffee. The rich aroma hits me before I even reach the counter, but it’s not the only thing that catches my attention. Cole stands there, his back to me, muscles rippling as he reaches for a mug in the cabinet.

My breath catches. He’s shirtless, skin glistening with a sheen of sweat from his workout. I force my eyes away, focusing intently on the toaster. ‘Morning,’ I mumble, trying to keep my voice steady.

Cole grunts in response, not bothering to turn around. The silence stretches between us, thick and uncomfortable. I pour my coffee with shaking hands, hyperaware of his presence just inches away.

‘Rough night?’ he asks, his deep voice sending an unwelcome shiver down my spine.

I shrug, taking a sip of the scalding liquid. ‘Just tired.’

He finally turns, and I’m hit with the full force of those intense eyes. They seem darker today, stormy. I wonder what’s on his mind, but I don’t dare ask.

‘You look it,’ he says bluntly.

I bite back a retort, reminding myself that engaging with Cole doesn’t end well. Instead, I focus on buttering my toast, determined to ignore the way his presence seems to fill the entire room.

Cole moves to leave, and I can’t help but steal one last glance. His sweatpants hang low on his hips, and I quickly avert my eyes, feeling heat creep up my neck.

As he passes, I catch a whiff of his scent—a mix of soap and sweat that’s frustratingly appealing. I hold my breath until his footsteps fade.

Only then do I let out a long exhale, my shoulders sagging. ‘Get it together, Tessa,’ I mutter to myself, taking another fortifying sip of coffee. It’s going to be a long day.

Just as I’m about to take another sip of coffee, Chase saunters into the kitchen, his dirty blonde hair catching the morning light. His eyes light up when he sees me, and I brace myself for the inevitable flirtation.

‘Well, good morning, sunshine,’ he drawls, leaning against the counter next to me. ‘You’re looking particularly radiant today.’

I roll my eyes, but can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. ‘It’s the exhaustion. Really brings out my eyes.’

Chase chuckles, moving closer. ‘I bet I could wake you up better than that coffee.’

I snort, about to reply when Cole’s voice cuts through the air like ice. ‘For fuck’s sake, Chase. It’s too early for your pathetic attempts at seduction.’

My head snaps up to see Cole standing in the doorway, his expression thunderous. I bristle at his tone, but before I can say anything, he continues.

‘And you, spitfire,’ he says, his voice dripping with condescension. ‘Don’t encourage him. We both know you’re not interested.’

I grit my teeth, anger flaring in my chest. ‘You don’t know a damn thing about what I’m interested in, Cole.’

“He really doesn’t.” Chase offers a lecherous smile, “I’ve already had her.”

The tension in the room is palpable when suddenly, my phone rings, vibrating loudly against the kitchen counter. The display shows the animal rescue’s number, and my stomach drops. I grab it, grateful for the distraction.

‘Hello?’ I answer, moving a few steps away, trying to put some distance between me and the testosterone-laden standoff in the room.

“Tessa, thank God you picked up,” comes Janine’s breathless voice on the other end. She’s the lead at the rescue, and she never calls unless it’s serious.

“We’ve got a real situation here. There’s been a report of an animal hoarder—dozens of dogs, possibly more. The neighbors tipped us off, but they’re threatening to call Animal Control if we don’t get here first.”

My heart rate spikes. ‘How bad is it?’

‘Bad,’ she says grimly. ‘We’re talking cramped cages, filth, malnutrition. The last time I saw something like this, we lost half the animals before we could even get them out.’

I press a hand to my forehead, trying to think through the haze of urgency. “Okay, I’m on my way. Do we have a location?”

Janine rattles off an address in a neighborhood I know all too well for its rundown buildings and sketchy reputation. “It’s off Jefferson and 9th. Be careful, Tessa. We’ve had volunteers get harassed down there before.”

I glance at the clock on the wall. The rescue is a good twenty minutes away, but with traffic, it could be longer. “I’ll get there as fast as I can. Start prepping the emergency kennels.”

“We’re on it,” Janine says. There’s a pause, and then her voice drops to a whisper. “Tessa, this place…it’s bad news. I have other calls going out and at least two other volunteers on their way, but you might beat them there. I’m not sure if you should go alone. Is there anyone who can come with you?”

I bite my lip, my eyes darting to Chase and Cole, both of whom are watching me intently. “I’ll figure something out. See you soon.”

I hang up, my mind racing as I turn back to the guys. Chase’s playful expression has morphed into a serious look, his blue eyes narrowed with concern.

“What’s going on?” Chase asks, straightening up from where he’s been lounging against the counter.

I hesitate for a fraction of a second. “There’s an emergency. I need to go.”

Before I can say another word, Cole crosses his arms, a skeptical brow arched. ‘You’re going alone? To some shady part of town?’

“Yeah, Cole, that’s the plan,” I snap back. “I don’t have time to argue about it. Animals are suffering, and I’m not going to sit here debating my safety.”

Chase steps forward, his usual playful demeanor completely gone. ‘No way you’re going into a place like that by yourself. I’m coming with you.’

I blink, taken aback by his sudden seriousness. “What? No, Chase. You don’t even know what you’re getting into.”

“I don’t need to,” he says, grabbing his jacket off the back of a chair. “I’m not letting you walk into a potential crack house alone. That’s just stupid. I’m coming.”

‘No, you’re not.’

‘Yes, I am,’ he insists, his usually playful eyes now serious. ‘You might need backup.’

I’m about to argue when Cole’s deep voice cuts through the air. ‘Are you fucking kidding me? This knight in shining armor routine is a bit much.’ He’s leaning against the doorframe, his muscular arms crossed over his bare chest. ‘What, is her pussy magical or something? Jesus Christ.’

My cheeks burn with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. I open my mouth to tear into Cole, but Chase beats me to it.

‘Shut the fuck up, Cole,’ he snaps, his carefree demeanor completely gone. ‘This isn’t about that.’

I want to fight Chase on this, to tell him he doesn’t understand what he’s getting into, but time is ticking. ‘Fine,’ I growl, yanking open the driver’s side door, ‘but we’re leaving now.’

As we peel out of the driveway, I can’t help but glance in the rearview mirror. Cole’s still standing there, looking shocked and…something else I can’t quite place.

‘So, where are we headed?’ Chase asks, breaking into my thoughts.

I grip the steering wheel tighter. ‘Like you said, it’s a rough neighborhood. Animal hoarder situation. We’re talking dozens of dogs in cages, some possibly starving. You sure you’re up for this?”

Chase gives me a sidelong look, his earlier flirtatiousness replaced with something like resolve. “You’re risking your neck for these animals. The least I can do is back you up.”

I give him a curt nod, pressing harder on the gas. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. This could get ugly.”

My stomach churns as memories of Rusty flood back. The matted fur, the fear in his eyes, the way he flinched at every sudden movement. I swallow hard, pushing the thoughts away. I can’t let my emotions cloud my judgment now. These dogs need me.

As we pull up to a dilapidated house, the stench hits us even before we open the car doors. Chase’s face contorts in disgust, but I’m already out of the car, grabbing my gear from the trunk.

‘Jesus, Tessa,’ Chase coughs, covering his nose with his shirt. ‘This place is a dump.’

I ignore him, putting on the flannel and gloves from my pack before striding toward the front door. The sound of barking and whining grows louder with each step. My heart races, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I’ve done this a hundred times, but it never gets easier.

‘Wait,’ Chase calls, jogging to catch up. He grabs my arm, his eyes wide with concern. ‘You can’t just barge in there. What if the owner’s armed or something?’

I yank my arm away, fixing him with a hard stare. ‘I don’t have time for this, Chase. Every second we waste is another second those dogs are suffering.’

‘But—’

‘No buts,’ I cut him off. ‘If you’re not here to help, go wait in the car.’

I turn back to the door, my hand on the knob. The smell of urine and feces is overwhelming now, mixed with something worse—the sickly-sweet odor of infection.

‘Tessa, please,’ Chase pleads, his voice uncharacteristically serious. ‘At least let me go in first. It’s not safe.’

Something in me snaps. All the pent-up frustration, the memories of Rusty, the constant struggle to prove myself—it all comes boiling to the surface.

‘Safe?’ I whirl on him, my voice rising. ‘You think I give a damn about safe? Those dogs in there haven’t known ‘safe’ their entire lives! I didn’t ask you to come, Chase. I don’t need your protection or your concern. What I need is for you to either help me or get out of my way!’

Chase recoils as if I’ve slapped him, hurt flashing across his face. For a moment, I feel a pang of regret, but I push it down. I don’t have time for his feelings right now.

Without another word, I turn and push open the door, stepping into the darkness beyond. The cacophony of barks and whines intensifies, and I steel myself for what I’m about to face. Behind me, I hear Chase’s hesitant footsteps, but I don’t look back. Right now, all that matters is the animals that need my help.