Page 134 of Stanton Adore

I glare at him. “And I want you to treat Joshua’s staff with some respect. Please get your own drinks.”

Adrian grabs my arm from behind and I snatch it away. “Don’t,” I snap.

Carson looks up at me. “Who the hell are you?”

I cross my arms. “Who the hell are you?” I snap.

He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m Joshua’s best friend and I don’t take orders from bimbos. So, fuck off.”

I smile a sarcastic smile and raise my eyebrows. “Did you just tell me to fuck off?” I asked way too sweetly.

Adrian steps in. “Carson, this is Natasha…you know Natasha Natasha.” He widens his eyes.

Carson stands up. “I don’t care if she’s the fucking Queen of England. I don’t take orders from anyone. And there is no way in hell I’m listening to her.”

I smirk. “We’ll see, asshole,” I snap. Brigetta puts her hands over her eyes and leaves the room as Joshua comes in the front door. He looks around the room and quickly sums up the situation. The animosity in the air is stifling. He puts his arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple as he pulls me into him. The boys all jump up and run to Joshua to shake his hand.

“Stan the man…you’re back.” Oh, get off it, you losers, so fake.

“Boys, this is Natasha, my girlfriend.”

Horror dawns on their faces and you could hear a pin drop. I smile at the boys. “Nice to meet you, now get the fuck out,” I snap.

Joshua coughs in shock. “Natasha,” he gasps.

“They go or I do Josh. There is no way in hell I am staying here with these drug-fucked assholes.”

His shocked eyes shoot to Adrian. “What’s going on?” he asks him.

“Your mate Carson just told me to fuck off, so you can stay here with him and I can stay at Adrian’s or they can leave and I will stay, have it your way,” I snap.

He frowns at Carson. “Is that correct?” he asks.

Carson glares at me. “I don’t take orders from chicks, you know that. And I am not going anywhere, she can leave.”

Oh god, I hate this man with a passion. Joshua looks at him deadpan and runs his tongue over his top front teeth. He’s annoying him too. Good.

“Natasha is not going anywhere. In fact, she’s moving to America and in with me, so you will show her respect in her own home. Go home. I will call you all tomorrow.” Joshua then walks over to the staircase and starts to go up to his bedroom. “Ben, can you show the boys out?” he calls from the stairs.

I stand still on the spot and cop the full wrath of Carson’s evil glare.

“I give you two weeks. He won’t put up with your shit,” he snaps.

I smile a little too sweetly. “Such a pleasure to meet you, boys, pity you had to leave so soon.” I think Bridget’s bitchiness is contagious. I head into the other room to find Brigetta and locate her in the kitchen.

She grabs me in an embrace. “Natasha, Natasha,” she whispers.

I giggle as I return her cuddle. “Brigetta, don’t put up with their shit. Joshua isn’t like that. He won’t let them speak to you like that.”

She nods nervously.

Adrian comes into the kitchen and picks me up and spins me around. “You’re a tough little thing, aren’t you?” He smiles.

I roll my eyes. “Maybe I’m stupid. I think I just made hating me all that much fun.”

He nods. “Baby, all of LA is going to hate you. You have just nabbed yourself one of the world’s most eligible bachelors. They don’t know your history with Josh, and they will try to test you but tonight you passed with flying colors.”

He smiles as he rubs my shoulders and gives me a wink. “Mission accomplished.”