Love in Spades: Four Kings Security Book One (Four Kings Security #1)(9)

“Oh, so you won’t let me fuck you, but you’ll let this guy all over you?”

Joshua spun around with a gasp, then took a quick step behind Colton.

Colton assumed the tall handsome man with an ugly sneer was Joshua’s ex-boss, Ted Booker.

He squinted at Colton. “Do I know you?”

Colton smiled wide. “Colton Connolly, of Connolly Maritime.” He enjoyed the way Ted’s face drained of color. “And I would appreciate you showing my employee a little respect.”

Ted stared at him. “What?”

“Joshua is the newest member of Connolly Maritime. It would seem his previous employer couldn’t see his value. Oh, and the White Party? Not going to happen.”

Ted took a step forward, and Colton blocked his path. The man was red with embarrassment and indignation, his fury aimed at Joshua.

“What did you do, you little slut? Did you get on your knees for him and suck his dick to get a job?”

Colton put a hand out to stop Ted from advancing. “You need to walk away, Ted. Now.”

“Or what?” Ted snarled.

“You’ve already lost face. If you don’t walk away and leave Joshua alone, I’ll make sure you lose more than that.”

Ted reeled back as if he’d been struck. “Are you threatening me? Over that—”

“Careful,” Colton warned. “I won’t ask twice.”

“What the hell is going on in here?” Frank stormed in along with two of his security personnel, his dark brows drawn together as he looked from Ted to Colton.

Ted spun to face Frank and thrust a finger in Joshua’s direction. “I want that little shit thrown out on his ass! He’s been spreading lies about me and putting my business at risk because he didn’t get what he wanted from me.”

Frank glanced over at Colton, who discreetly shook his head. With a sigh, Frank stepped closer to Joshua, his tone gentle when he spoke. “Sweetheart, talk to me.”

Joshua melted under Frank’s gaze, and Colton held back a smile. He knew that look well. It was hard not to go weak in the knees when Frank Ramirez looked at you with those soulful eyes. Like nothing in the world could hurt you while he was there. Frank opened one arm for him, and Joshua walked into his embrace, settling against Frank with a small sigh. He lifted his face so he could meet Frank’s gaze, and when he spoke, his voice never wavered.

“You can check the security cameras. Mr. Booker brought me here under false pretenses. When he pulled me into one of the back rooms, I made it very clear I wasn’t interested, and even after clearly saying no, I had to push him away for him to get the hint. Then he fired me. Mr. Connolly was here while I panicked, and when he found out what happened to me, he offered me a job at his company.”

When Frank lifted his gaze to Ted, Colton almost felt sorry for the guy. Almost.

“Mr. Booker, are you not familiar with the word no?”

“He’s lying,” Ted insisted.

“If I check my security feed, I’m not going to see you pulling this young man into the back, then?”

“He went willingly,” Ted spat out. “He wanted it.”

Colton cringed, and he saw the exact moment Ted grasped how screwed he was. He’d put his foot in it. If he hadn’t, Frank’s murderous glare would have made it obvious. As someone who’d spent his adult life trying to save people, Frank did not take kindly to Ted’s words. He addressed his security personnel, his narrowed eyes still on Ted.

“Get this piece of shit out of my club.” Frank thrust a finger in Ted’s direction. “If you ever try to set foot in here again, I will personally beat the shit out of you, and if you so much as come near—” His expression softened when he looked down at the young man tucked against him. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

“Joshua.”

Frank turned his attention back to Ted, his face once again transformed into a mask of disdain and anger. “If you go anywhere near, Joshua, you’ll be dealing with me.”

“And me,” Colton added. He didn’t know much about Joshua, but something told him the young man could use a little care and support. Something about him brought out a protective streak in Colton, and if the way Frank was holding on to Joshua was anything to go by, Frank felt the same. It was incredible, how quickly people could form a connection. One minute they were strangers, the next they were friends.

Ted begged and sputtered apologies as he was dragged out of the bathroom.

“Dick,” Frank muttered. He turned to Joshua and held him out at arm’s length, looking him over. “Are you okay?”

Joshua nodded. “Thank you… um….”

“Frank Ramirez. I own Sapphire Sands.”

“You own the club?”

Frank chuckled at Joshua’s wide eyes. “Yes. Now, what would you like to do next? Do you want me to call you a car to take you home?”

Joshua seemed to think about it. He opened his mouth to reply, but Frank cleared his throat.

“Or, you could hang out with me for a while in my office. There’s a comfortable couch if you’re feeling tired. Are you hungry?”

Joshua nodded, his cheeks flushed.

“Okay, how about you wait for me in my office, and I’ll stop by the kitchen, have them make you something special. Seth will make you whatever you want to drink. On the house. For having to deal with that prick. I don’t allow that kind of behavior in my club.”