Banking the Billionaire (Bad Boy Billionaires Book 2)(101)

I couldn’t hear his response because the truckload of firemen started to argue around me.

“Goddammit! Move out of the way!”

“Take a left, Ronnie! It’s faster!”

“Fuck off, Vin!”

A minute later, the sirens died down and we pulled up in front of an apartment building. The guys jumped out and headed inside while I stayed back in the truck. I was finding that not all emergencies were actual emergencies. Sometimes what one person might call a kitchen fire another would call, Bullshit, just turn off your stove, moron.

“Are you still there, T?” I asked into the receiver.

“Yeah, honey,” he responded. “I thought you had a shoot today.”

“I shot a charity calendar for FDNY, and we finished a little earlier than expected,” I explained. “I convinced the guys to let me go on a few runs with them. Do you have any idea how cool it is riding around in the fire truck all day?” I hopped out of the truck and started to pace on the sidewalk. The adrenaline rushes from the last five runs had my body bursting with excited, nervous energy. “I think I want to change my career.”

He chuckled. “Sounds like you’re enjoying yourself.”

“I am,” I agreed and watched pedestrians mill about the building, looking for a show. I wanted to tell them to mind their own f*cking business, but the last time I had done that, the lieutenant told me to zip it or else I’d get the boot.

Obviously, since boots so weren’t a summer shoe, I kept my loud mouth shut.

“Are you busy tonight?” I asked Thatch, staring into the building and hoping I’d see a lick of flames burst through the window. It would probably ruin people’s lives, but it would really make mine.

Yeah, I’m an * today.

“Just rugby practice and then I’m free.”

I grinned. “Wanna meet me for a drink after?”

“Sure. Name the time and place, and I’ll be there.”

“Perfect. I’ll ask the guys where we’re going, and I’ll text you.”

“And by guys, you mean the firemen, right?”

“Yep.” I waited for a jealous or unsure reaction most men would’ve have given in that kind of scenario, but it didn’t come.

Thatch merely took it all in stride. Not the least bit concerned that I was paling around with a bunch of muscly firemen. “Sounds good, honey,” he answered. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay. See ya then.”

“Cass?” he asked before we ended the call.

“Yeah, baby?”

“Be careful, okay?” His voice was soft around the edges.

Goddammit, this thoughtful dickhead.

If he were standing in front of me, I might have kneed him in the balls.

But instead, I answered, “Don’t worry, the only time they let me out of the truck is if I’m sneaking out of it when they’re running into a building. Otherwise, the protective bastards are all about proper protocols and fire safety. They’re kind of a pain in my ass, to be honest.”

“Good.” He chuckled. “I like these guys already.”




A few beers deep, I strongly encouraged Ronnie to sing karaoke with me on stage.

“No way, Cass,” he said through a laugh. “I don’t care how gorgeous you are, I’m not getting up there.”

I fluttered my eyelashes like a lady and then spewed words that conveyed the exact opposite. “Oh, c’mon! Don’t be such a ball sac!”

“I think you mean don’t be such a * in this scenario,” Ronnie retorted.

“Hell no,” I scoffed. “Pussies trump balls every time. Those bitches can take a serious pounding. Balls are the sensitive little f*ckers. Shit, they’d probably cry during Titanic.”

Vin chuckled. “Yeah, Ronnie. Stop being such a ball sac.”

Ronnie flipped him off in response, but he stayed resolute in his decision.

“How about a game of quarters instead?” Brian offered, and when it came to drinking games, that was one I simply could not and would not refuse.

For the next hour, I spanked the boys at quarters while the waitress kept up a steady stream of fresh beers and rounds of shots. It was a little after nine when Thatch strode through the bar doors, freshly showered and looking sexy as hell. God help me, he made jeans and a T-shirt look better than anyone I knew.

His eyes met mine, and a slow smirk crested the corners of his lips as he headed in my direction.

“Hey, Crazy,” he greeted as he leaned down to kiss my cheek.

“Hi.” I grinned up at him before turning back toward the table. “Guys, this is my fiancé, Thatch,” I introduced him to the six guys seated around the table. “Baby, this is Vin, Ronnie, Brian, Bruce, Eddie, and Matt.”

Thatch shook each guy’s hand and sat down beside me. When I hopped out of my chair and made myself comfortable in his lap, his eyebrows shot up with amusement.

“I missed you today,” I whispered into his ear. “I’m glad you came out.”

He kissed the corner of my mouth. “I’m glad you had a good time today.”

“I think tonight is going to be even better.” I waggled my brows.

Thatch smirked. “Is that right?”