Dirty Pleasures (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #2)(31)

Right now, Holly has the attention of every single person in the place. People are on their feet, singing along to every single word. Just like every night before, I continue to be in awe of her talent. My wife is a f*cking rock star. Well, country star would be more appropriate.

The deep drawl from behind me alerts me to the presence of Boone Thrasher.

“If you keep staring at her like that, you’re going to be handing over the keys to your vault, because that woman will know she owns you.”

“What are you doing out of your little kingdom before your set?” I ask, glancing at him for only a moment, because I don’t want to miss a beat of Holly.

“If you think you’re the only one who knows she’s a hell of a talent when you see it, then you’re wrong. I try to get out here and catch one of her songs every once in a while, but tonight I came out because I had to see for myself that you’re just standing here like a smitten kid. People are talkin’, you know.”

I tear my eyes off Holly to stare him down. “And why would I give a f*ck about that?”

“I’m just sayin’, the bitch knows she’s got you by the balls, you’ll have no leverage. And I’m guessing a guy like you is all about leverage.”

“What’s your point, Thrasher?”

“No point. Just offering a word of wisdom. My woman has me wrapped up pretty neat too, but I don’t let her know it.”

“I thought you told me I’d better treat her right or you’d be on me?” I vaguely recall his warning from the first day we met, three long days ago.

He cracks the knuckles of his tattooed hand inside the other. “Fuckin’ right I will. But that don’t mean you gotta be showin’ all your cards, man. This is a strategy game, after all.”

I laugh, because I feel like I’m the one who should be giving this guy advice. “You ever been married before?”

His chuckle booms out, but the sounds of the bass guitar and drums ensure only I can hear it.

“Nope. That’s why I’m giving you advice, Richie Rich. You’ve already failed at this shit, from what I hear. I’m doing the marriage thing once, and that’s it. Thought maybe you’d been all lapdog and * whipped before, and that’s how you f*cked it up. Ladies want to know their man is theirs, but they don’t want someone trailin’ after ’em like a schoolboy.”

“Thanks for the advice, but I think I’m good. You worry about yourself getting *-whipped, and I’ll worry about Holly.”

Thrasher shrugs, but doesn’t drop it. “You don’t know girls like her, Karas. She’s not your high-society type. She’s never gonna be easy around your money or your people. Even if she’s sipping champagne out of platinum cowboy boots, she’ll never lose that backwoods girl. You sure you’re okay with that? Because if you’re not, it’d be kinder to let her go now before she falls for you.”

There are so many responses I can give to what he just said, but I don’t reply because I’m stuck on his last words. “Before she falls for you.” Because she hasn’t yet.

It’s a sobering reality check. I’ve decided what we have is the real thing, and Holly . . . I have no frigging clue what she thinks. The only place she’ll let her guard down is in the bedroom—or wherever we happen to be when I’m giving her every bit of pleasure she can handle. I know how to seduce my wife, but how the hell do I break down her walls? How do I get her to trust me?

“Oh shit!” Thrasher yells as a fan throws himself onstage only a few feet from where Holly stands. I lunge forward, but Thrasher grabs my arm. “No, man, not your fight this time.”

Security is on the guy before he can reach his fingertips out to touch the toe of her boots, and he’s dragged away.

Holly barely misses a beat, finishing the last chorus of the song while the band plays on. When the music finally quiets, she speaks into her microphone. “Well, I guess he really liked that one, didn’t he, ya’ll?” The crowd cheers even louder, and she flashes a wide smile and launches into the final song on the set list.

I shake off Thrasher’s arm and turn to him. “Don’t you ever try to get between me and Holly. You get me, Thrasher? Not here, not anywhere.”

My tone promises violence, as my rage at his interference pulses to the surface. She’s my woman. I will f*cking protect her from everyone and everything.

Thrasher just shakes his head. “You’ve got a lot to learn, man, especially about her. She’s a strong woman. She doesn’t need you to save her. Hell, she found a way to use you to save herself. Don’t ever underestimate her because it’ll be the biggest mistake you make, I can promise you that. Country girls got grit like you couldn’t imagine.”

“You think I don’t know she’s f*cking special?” I gesture to the stage. “She’s a goddamn goddess out there, and I’d have to be blind to miss it.”

Thrasher nods. “Good, and don’t you f*cking forget it.” He turns to walk back toward the hallway that leads to his designated room, and then pauses. “You should both come out with us tonight. We’re gonna hit up one of my favorite bars. Play some horseshoes in the pits out back. Let’s see if you can hang with the country boys.”

The last thing I want to do tonight is go out and hang with this cocky punk who thinks he knows more about Holly than I do, but something keeps me from saying no. Instead, I punt.