Chapter 17: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 17

The phone buzzes again, its vibration rattling the table like an angry hornet. I glance at the screen, seeing Morgan’s name flash for what must be the tenth time today. With a frustrated groan, I swipe to ignore the call, tossing the device aside.

‘Fucking hell,’ I mutter, dragging my hands down my face. The constant interruptions are grating on my last nerve, especially with the mountain of work piling up in front of me.

I turn back to my laptop, trying to focus on the spreadsheet before me, but the numbers blur together. My mind wanders to thoughts of restraining orders and legal action. Not that it would do any good with someone like Morgan.

The phone buzzes again. A text this time.

‘Cole, baby, why won’t you answer? We need to talk.’

I snort, shaking my head. ‘Yeah, like I haven’t heard that before,’ I say to the empty room.

My fingers hover over the block button, but I know it’s pointless. She’ll just find another way to reach me, like she always does. The woman’s persistence would be admirable if it wasn’t so damn infuriating.

I lean back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. ‘Maybe I should just change my number,’ I muse aloud. ‘Start fresh. It’s not like she’d respect a restraining order anyway.’

The thought is tempting, but the hassle of updating all my contacts and business information holds me back. Plus, knowing Morgan, she’d probably hire a private investigator to track down my new number within a week.

I sigh, picking up the phone again. The screen lights up with three missed calls and five unread texts, all from her. It’s like being haunted by a particularly clingy ghost with zero regard for boundaries.

‘Why can’t you just let go?’ I ask the phone, as if Morgan might hear me through the screen. ‘We’re done. Over. Finito.’

But I know why she can’t. Morgan Blaise doesn’t give up what she considers hers, and in her warped mind, I still belong to her. The thought sends a chill down my spine, remembering the manipulation and drama that defined our relationship.

I put the phone on silent and toss it onto the counter, out of sight but not out of mind. Maybe if I ignore it long enough, she’ll finally get the message. But even as I think it, I know it’s wishful thinking.

I contemplate just leaving the phone down here and going up to my home office, but…I don’t want to. Something about the work just feels stifling today. I’m working from home because I couldn’t manage to go in to the office, but I still can’t keep my focus on what I need to be doing.

Turning back to my work, I try to lose myself in the numbers and projections. But Morgan’s presence lingers like a bad smell, polluting my thoughts and souring my mood. It’s going to be a long day.

The front door opens, and I hear the familiar jingle of dog tags. Tessa’s voice follows, a mix of gentle cooing and firm commands as she herds her canine entourage inside.

‘Hey, Cole,’ she calls out. ‘You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had. There was this—’

I cut her off, my voice sharp. ‘Not now, Tessa. I’m in the middle of something.’

She appears in the doorway, her hair slightly disheveled, those intense greenish-blue eyes narrowing as they take me in. The dogs mill around her feet, sensing the tension.

‘What’s wrong?’ she asks, her tone direct.

I wave her off. ‘Nothing. Work stuff. None of your business.’

‘Bullshit,’ she retorts, crossing her arms. ‘You’ve got that look.’

I feel a pang of regret at my snippiness, but I push it down. Better to keep her at arm’s length. I don’t need her getting clingy now that we’ve hooked up.

‘What look?’ I ask, feigning ignorance.

‘The ‘I’m drowning in my own drama but I’m too stubborn to ask for help’ look,’ she says, her lips quirking in a half-smile.

I can’t help but chuckle, despite my mood. ‘You’ve got me all figured out, huh?’

‘Not even close,’ she replies, her smile fading. ‘But it’s pretty obvious when something’s eating at you.’

I turn back to my computer, hoping she’ll take the hint. ‘It’s nothing, really. Just a long day.’

I hear her sigh, followed by the soft padding of her feet as she moves closer. ‘Cole,’ she says, her voice softer now. ‘You don’t have to tell me, but don’t lie to me either.’

I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of her presence behind me. It would be so easy to lean back, to let her in. But I can’t. I won’t.

‘I appreciate the concern,’ I say, keeping my voice neutral. ‘But I’ve got it handled.’

I turn to face her, ready to end this conversation, when her phone chirps. She glances at it, her eyes widening.

‘Shit,’ she mutters, already moving towards the door. ‘There’s another rescue. I’ve got to go.’

‘Wait, what?’ I stand up, alarm bells ringing in my head. ‘Tessa, no way in hell are you doing that again. It’s too dangerous.’

She pauses, hand on the doorknob, and looks back at me with fire in her eyes. ‘Excuse me?’

I cross my arms, standing my ground. ‘You heard me. After what happened last time? It’s not safe.’

‘And since when do you get to decide what I do?’ she challenges, her voice rising.

I feel my frustration building. ‘I’m just trying to protect you!’

‘I don’t need your protection, Cole,’ she snaps. ‘What I need is for you to stop acting like a controlling asshole.’

Her words hit me like a slap. I open my mouth to argue, but she cuts me off.

‘You know what? I’m out of here. I’ve got animals to save.’

Before I can respond, she’s out the door, leaving me standing there, stunned and conflicted. Part of me wants to run after her, to make her understand. But another part knows she’s right. I’m being an asshole.

I sink back into my chair, running a hand through my hair. How did I let things get so complicated?

‘Damn it,’ I mutter, grabbing my keys and rushing out the door. There’s no way I’m letting her face this alone.

I catch up to her before she pulls away. She glances over, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance. She rolls down the window. ‘I’m coming with you,’ I shout.

She shakes her head. ‘Fine.”

I half expect her to pull away as I round the back of the car, but she doesn’t. She doesn’t talk to me either, though. She turns the music up—something poppy and ridiculous that I’m pretty sure she’s just using to annoy me—and sings loudly along.

We pull up to a run-down house on the outskirts of town. The neighbors aren’t close and the house itself is set back on the property. Thank fuck I didn’t let her come here alone.

The yard is overgrown, littered with trash and old car parts. The smell hits me as soon as I step out of the car—a nauseating mix of urine, feces, and decay.

‘Jesus,’ I breathe, covering my nose.

There are a handful of cars already parked in the front yard, but one stands out—a white SUV with a bright green magnet on the door displaying the name of a local animal rescue. The logo is faded, like it’s been through a few too many wash cycles, but I can still make out the image of a wagging tail and a set of paw prints. It’s a good sign. If the rescue team is here, it means we’re not doing this on our own.

Tessa’s already marching toward the house, her face set in grim determination. ‘It’s going to be worse inside,’ she warns.

As we enter, the sight that greets us is heartbreaking. Dozens of cats, skeletal and sickly, huddle in corners and on grimy surfaces. Their eyes, wide with fear and hunger, follow our every move.

‘How can anyone do this?’ I whisper, feeling a lump form in my throat.

Tessa’s already kneeling beside a particularly frail kitten, her voice soft and soothing. ‘It’s okay, little one. We’ve got you.’

Watching her work, I’m struck by her gentleness, the fierce protectiveness in her eyes. It’s a side of her I’ve never seen before, and it stirs something deep within me.

As I watch Tessa, I can’t help but admire how completely she throws herself into this. She’s all in—no hesitation, no fear—just pure, undiluted compassion. She’s moving from one animal to the next, a soft murmur of comfort on her lips as she checks each one for signs of abuse or illness. There’s a fire in her, a determination that borders on reckless.

My gaze narrows as she leans in close to one of the other volunteers, a tall guy with sandy hair and an easy smile. He’s got that rugged, outdoorsy look that I’m sure always has women falling at his feet. He says something I can’t hear, and she laughs—a real laugh, the kind that lights up her whole face.

Something ugly twists in my gut. I try to tell myself it’s nothing. She’s just being friendly. But damn, if it doesn’t make me want to knock the guy’s teeth in for making her smile like that.

I force myself to stay back, biting my tongue, my hands clenching into fists. The other volunteers move around us, carrying crates and supplies, while Tessa is practically glued to this guy’s side. I catch snippets of their conversation as I approach, something about the best ways to calm down traumatized animals. She’s animated, her hands flying as she talks, and he’s nodding like she’s the most fascinating person in the world.

I clear my throat, stepping closer. “Tessa,” I say, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. “Be careful. You don’t know what kind of condition these animals are in.”

She glances up at me, annoyance flashing in her eyes. “I’ve got it under control, Cole. They’re scared, not rabid.”

“You don’t know that,” I snap.

She shakes her head, clearly pissed. “I’ve been doing this a long time, you know. I don’t need you hovering over me.”

“Someone needs to,” I mutter under my breath, but she hears me. Her eyes flash, and for a second, I think she’s going to lay into me right here in front of everyone.

But instead, she just turns her back on me, focusing all her attention on a trembling dog huddled in a filthy crate. I watch, my heart in my throat, as she reaches in, coaxing the terrified animal out with gentle words and patient hands. The dog growls low in its throat, but she doesn’t flinch.

“Tessa, don’t—” I start, stepping forward, but it’s too late.

There’s a sudden snap, and the dog lunges, sinking its teeth into her hand.

“Shit!” she yelps, jerking back, blood welling from the bite.

I’m at her side in an instant, grabbing her arm and pulling her away. “Goddamn it, Tessa, I told you to be careful!”

She glares at me, cradling her bleeding hand. “I had it under control until you distracted me!”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it,” I growl, pulling her toward the door. “You need to get that looked at before it gets infected.”

She tries to pull away, but I don’t let go. “I’m fine, Cole! Just let me finish here.”

“Like hell you are,” I snap, my grip tightening. “We’re leaving. Now.”

“You don’t get to dictate what I can and cannot do.”

The sandy-haired volunteer steps forward, looking concerned. “Is everything okay here?”

I level him with a glare that has him taking a step back. “We’re fine,” I bite out, not taking my eyes off Tessa. “Let’s go.”

The guy notices she’s gripping her arm and his eyes get wide. “Jesus, Tess. You need to get that looked at.”

“I just fucking said that.”

“I will. Once we’re done.”

“No. Now, spitfire.”

“He’s right, Tess. It’s deep and you know how quickly these get infected. Go get it checked out. I’ll keep you updated on the situation.”

Her eyes blaze with defiance, but after a moment, she nods tightly, allowing me to steer her out of the house. The ride is tense, the air thick with unsaid words.

The whole way, she refuses to look at me, staring out the window with her jaw set, her injured arm cradled in her lap. I want to say something, to apologize maybe, but the words get stuck in my throat. All I can think about is the way she smiled at that guy, the way she didn’t hesitate to throw herself into danger for these animals.

I don’t know whether I’m more pissed off at her for being so reckless or at myself for caring this damn much.