Page 85 of The Money Shot
“Let’s get one thing straight, Jack,” she said, her voice low and menacing, like a snake coiled to strike. “I paid for this room.And if anyone’s leaving, it’s going to be you. So pack up your little boyfriend and your trashy excuses for clothes, and get the fuck out. Now.”
Her words sliced through the air, and I felt a rush of protectiveness surge in my chest. I clenched my fists at my sides, every muscle in my body screaming to intervene. This is the woman Jack’s been bending over backward to please? This deranged, entitled lunatic?
I glanced at Jack, willing him to see what I saw. This wasn’t just about her barging in or the money she dangled over his head. This was about freedom—his freedom. And he could have it. We could have it, if only he’d take a chance.
Why can’t he see it? I thought, frustration bubbling up alongside my anger. We don’t need her. We have something better—our business, our future. He could be free of her, free of this insanity. He could be happy.
But Evelyn wasn’t finished. Her eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You are just a cog in a machine, Jack. Do you hear me? After this, you’ll be lucky to find a job flipping burgers in New York.”
Her words hung in the air like a toxic cloud, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Jack’s better off without you,” I stated, my voice laced with contempt. “Because all I see is a sad, bitter woman who’s so desperate to control everyone around her, she can’t even recognize when she’s the problem.”
Evelyn’s head snapped toward me, her wild eyes narrowing into slits. For a moment, I thought she might actually lunge at me, but Wilfred cleared his throat, stepping forward.
“That’s enough,” Wilfred said firmly, his calm tone cutting through the chaos. “If you don’t leave immediately, ma’am, I’ll have security escort you out.”
Evelyn’s face contorted, fury bubbling just beneath the surface, but even she seemed to realize she’d pushed too far. Sheshot one last glare at Jack, then at me, before storming out of the room in a whirlwind of designer rage.
The door slammed behind her, and the silence that followed was deafening. I turned to Jack, my chest heaving with residual adrenaline. He looked at me, his expression a mix of gratitude, exhaustion, and something else—something that gave me hope.
Now was the moment. Seize it.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and pulled up the FantasyFans dashboard. After finding our monthly earnings, I handed it to Jack.
His eyes scanned the screen, and a slow grin spread across his face. He passed the phone back to me with a wink.
“She can’t fire me,” Jack muttered. Then he crossed the room and opened the connecting door to the other room.
“Wait,” Wilfred stepped forward, but I put my arm out, stopping him. Jack stepped back as Evelyn walked in.
“You know what, Evelyn?” Jack’s voice was eerily calm. “You can take your job and shove it straight up your entitled ass. I quit.”
Evelyn’s mouth fell open. “You what?”
“You heard me. I quit. And for the record?” He gestured to me. “This is Liam. He’s not some random hookup - he’s the love of my life.”
Jack turned to Wilfred, who was doing an admirable job of maintaining his professional composure despite the show. “I’ve said all I need to say.”
“But, but…” Evelyn’s eyebrows reached for the ceiling. “Nobody dares…”
“Ma’am, please.” Wilfred’s tone was polite but firm. “Go back to your room.”
She was still sputtering protests when he shut the door in her face.
When Wilfred turned back to us, his eyes wandered appreciatively over Jack’s naked form before snapping back to his face. He cleared his throat. “Will there be anything else, gentlemen?”
“Actually, yes.” Jack crossed his arms, completely unbothered by his nudity. “We’d like a different room. Preferably one without a crazy woman next door.”
“That can certainly be arranged.” Wilfred’s gaze dipped lower again before he caught himself. “I’ll have a new room ready within the hour. Shall I send someone to help with your belongings?”
“That would be perfect, thank you,” Jack said.
After Wilfred left, I collapsed onto the bed, laughing. “Well, that’s one way to quit your job.”
Jack flopped onto the bed beside me and pulled me close, his lips finding mine. When we finally pulled apart, his eyes were bright with excitement.
“You were right all along,” he said, tracing his fingers down my chest. “There’s no reason not to go all in on FantasyFans. Hell, we’ll make far more money, and I won’t have to deal with psychotic socialites breathing down my neck.”
My heart soared. I’d been hoping he’d come around, but hadn’t wanted to push. “Really? You’re sure?”