Mr. Big Ego (Dirty South Book 3)

by Kat Addams

  “I wouldn’t consider my work attire or any of my clothes slutty. If you have an issue with what I wear, that’s not my problem. It’s yours. But I’m just letting you know, I’m not going to take your slander or your harassment. I will consult with Victor if you don’t back off. Besides, don’t you have a job to do? Why are you spending your time sweating me when you are on his clock?”

  “I can spend my time as I please. I do well enough at my job that Victor doesn’t care. He likes me.”

  “Sure, sure.” I rolled my eyes. “Excuse me. I have work to do.”

  “Yes, you’d better have it perfect by tomorrow. I wouldn’t want anything to fall apart and ruin the event. Victor wouldn’t like that. The last planner was fired immediately after her fuckup. Good luck to you!” She smirked again and waddled off.

  I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Her last words sounded like a warning to me. I decided to text Victor and make sure things were okay, letting him know that his pit bull was after me.

  Me: Hey! Sara is up here, stomping around. I feel like she is up to something, and I don’t have the time for her bullshit. I’ve worked my ass off on your circus. Can you either distract her with work or get her to fuck off, please?

  Victor: She was supposed to be picking up lunch. I guess she stopped by the venue to check it out. Sorry! I’ll handle it. Meetings all day until 6. Dinner tonight? Want me to cook for you, and we can stay at my place?

  Me: I can’t. I’ll be here all night and bright and early tomorrow morning. I’ve got to have my game face on. It’s going to be lit!

  Victor: You’re amazing. I can’t wait to see what you’ve done. I’ll stay put and let it be a surprise.

  Me: Just show up an hour early to go over the tiger stuff.

  Victor. Rawr. Roger that.

  I set my phone down in my lap and watched the frantic workers running around the arena. I wasn’t the only one trying to impress Victor Beaumont. Everyone seemed on edge. This party was the biggest event I had ever planned, and now, I was worried about Sara causing trouble.

  I watched her from across the room as she barked into her phone and hurried out the door. I hoped Victor had called her and told her to back off of me. My livelihood and now my love life depended on it. I couldn’t deal with another hot mess in my life. I looked down at my sweater, tugging on it to make sure it wasn’t too tight or too slutty. It wasn’t.

  I rolled my eyes and went back to work. T-minus less than twenty-four hours until this place had to be perfection.

  I had stayed up all night and awoken early this morning to put the last-minute finishing touches on Victor’s event. I had been working since dawn, only taking a short break to get myself ready, and then I came right back here. The florist finally arrived, and I stood in the storage room, knee-deep in fresh bouquets I’d ordered to display around the venue.

  “Samantha Masson! The woman of the hour! Holy hell, you’ve done it again!” Victor said, hopping over the flowers and pulling me into an embrace.

  I looked up to see him dressed in a red-and-black ringmaster suit, complete with top hat and cane. He wore that devilish grin that made me catch my breath.

  “Victor Beaumont! Wow. Just call me a circus freak because I’ve never wanted to fuck someone with a handlebar mustache so much in my life!”

  “Ha! Look at you!” He held me at arm’s length and shook his head.

  “What? Say something! Does it not look okay?” I adjusted my bow tie and smoothed my tuxedo jacket.

  “I’m speechless. Really, I am.” He reached out and ran his fingertips over my necklace before kissing me.

  “I thought you might like it.” I pulled a wand out of my front pocket and waved it in the air. “Now, you need to teach me some magic tricks to go with my magician’s outfit. Maybe you can show me later how you make your cock so hard all the time. That is my favorite trick.”

  “I’m planning on it,” he growled.

  The door to the back room opened, and we quickly separated.

  “There you are!” Lisa rushed in, tripping over her ginormous clown shoes. “Oh. Hi. Sorry, I didn’t know you were here, Victor. But I guess it’s a good thing that you are because the tiger handlers are looking for you.” She looked back and forth from Victor’s face to mine.

  “Yes, I was briefing him on that. We had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, but I got it fixed for him, and he is well on his way.” I brushed off his shoulders and gave him a once-over.

  “Right! Tiger hair already on the costume.” He laughed hard, snorting like a pig in heat.

  What the hell?

  Lisa and I both narrowed our eyes at him before he ducked out of the room and ran off.

  “What was that all about?” Lisa asked.

  “I think he has preshow jitters. The tigers are stressing him out. Who knows? Come on; let’s go! It’s almost showtime, and I have to check a few more things out there.”

  “Okay, but I came in here to ask if your date was here! I wanted to meet him before I got too busy. Is he with you?”

  “Eh, um … not exactly. He might be here later. Come on.” I pulled her arm toward the door.

  “Fine,” she groaned. “I’ll meet your date later when I’m surrounded by thirty-four staff members.”

  “Okay!”

  She rolled her eyes.

  We made our way through the parted silks and into the arena. I had outdone myself this time. Even the flooring had been specifically designed for this event. It lit up different colors and with various patterns, syncing to the beat of the music. Right now, it was lit up with the Fleur-De-Lis logo. I wished I could have seen Victor’s face when he first walked in and saw everything.

  “Look!” Lisa pointed toward the performers hanging from the ceiling on decorated steel cubes. “How did you even know where to look for them?”

  “Met them at that swingers club you told me about.” I looked at her and grinned. “I’m kidding. The internet—where else?”

  “You’re just too much.” She clapped me on the back. “Although I wouldn’t be surprised if you did. They look like they could be flexible and put on a perfect show. Performers. They love all the attention they can get. Speaking of …”

  She nodded toward Victor, who was holding up large metal rings for the tigers to jump through. He wore a smile almost as big as the smile he’d had in the sex club. Almost.

  “He’s going to knock it out of the park.” My eyes twinkled. I couldn’t help it. Whenever I looked at him, I became straight-up Cookie Monster, all googly-eyed.

  “Wait a minute.” She put her hands on my shoulders and turned me toward her, forcing my gaze on hers. “You sassafras! You’re fucking Victor Beaumont.”

  My cheeks grew warm. “Please don’t tell anyone. We’ve been dating since Halloween, and … well, he’s not anything like I thought he would be. He isn’t a jerk. He’s great, and … I love him.” I shrugged.

  Lisa smacked my shoulder with the back of her hand. “Nuh-uh! Are you kidding me? So, this is why he’s been so personable to everyone lately? It’s because he’s knocking boots with you! Ha! Holy hell. You know, fucking the boss is kind of hot. Good job! I’m going to want details later. I’m being summoned.”

  She hugged me and ran off in the direction of the kitchen. The chef must have flagged her down.

  The party lights began to glow, and the deejay was warming up in the back corner. Things were about to get lit—including me. I headed toward the bar and ordered a cocktail that I had the bartender make unique for the event—the Side Freak, made with Victor’s rum, of course. I took my seat at a corner table near the center and watched people file inside the big top.

  The guests were the usual suspects—the snooty old wives, the young mistresses, the wrinkled old men, and the bachelors who tended to run in a pack. Malcolm also barged through the entrance, dressed as a clown—again.

  Weirdo.

  I twirled my straw around in my drink and sighed, feeling slightly buzzed. I looked back
toward the entrance when he caught my eye—with her. I rubbed my eyes and blinked. I wasn’t that fuzzy yet. I squinted in their direction to make sure who I had seen was exactly who I thought I had seen. Sara walked through the curtains, arm in arm with my ex-husband, William. Her eyes searched the room. My heart pounded in my chest until it hurt.

  This can’t be happening to me. Not now.

  “Are you okay?” Lisa sat down beside me, drink in hand.

  “No. I’m not sure I can be here.” I took a long swallow of my cocktail. “It’s them. Over there at the entrance.” I tipped my head toward the front of the arena.

  “Is that …” Lisa gasped. “What the hell is she doing with him?”

  Lisa and I had met right before I filed for divorce. She had stuck with me through all of the drama, and I’d stuck with her through her drama. We’d bonded over shitty ex-husbands.

  “It’s because of me. I pissed her off. I—she—she has a thing for Victor. He mentioned that she’s trouble when women begin to get close to him. She even came here yesterday and threatened me that things would blow up tonight.”

  “I’m going to go stomp her ass right this second. This is bullshit!” Lisa began to rise, but I pulled her back down.

  “No. I can’t mess up Victor’s night. This is special for him. I’ll just ignore it. I don’t want him to see me though. I’m betting she hasn’t told him I’m here. This is all a setup to make me upset and screw up so that Victor will fire me.”

  “He wouldn’t do that! I’ve noticed him watching you all night. Look.” She nodded her head. “He’s looking at you right now.”

  I followed her eyes, locking on Victor from across the arena. He looked from Sara to me. Sara looked from him to me. She smiled at us both. She walked my ex-husband to Victor and introduced them. I finished my drink, watching them shake hands. Both men were smiling, but neither had a grin as wicked as Sara.

  “What a bitch she is. Don’t worry about it, honey. I’ll be back by shortly. I’ve got to start working, but I have my eyes on you. If you want me to throw a drink in her face—or his—I will. You know I’ll do it!” She patted my arm and left.

  By now, the arena was packed. The announcer made his way to the center stage to start the show. I caught Victor’s eye for a moment but only a moment. Men and women and tigers surrounded him. Maybe even some cougars. I rolled my eyes as one woman, who looked to be about seventy, reached out and smoothed her hand down his shoulder.

  “What’s a pretty little kitty cat like you doing all by her lonesome?” Malcolm sat down in the empty chair next to me.

  “Not a cat tonight, duh. I’m a magician. As in hocus-pocus, I gotta focus. So, abracadabra the fuck on out of here.”

  “Holy hell! What’s gotten into you? I like ’em feisty, ya know.”

  “I know about you. Victor told me what you did with his ex-fiancée. That was terrible. And anyone who can do that to anyone, especially family, I don’t want to be in their lives.”

  “It was for his own good. She came on to me. I’m glad he saw us. He needed to know who she was so that he wouldn’t marry her. She would have taken all of Fleur-De-Lis and destroyed him too. I saved him.”

  “Taking a blow job for the team. That sure is one way to look at it.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Hey, Bozo! I believe you’re in my seat.” Lisa put her hands on her hips and pointed at Malcolm’s chair.

  “Easy there, Chuckles. We were just … clowning around. That’s an adorable outfit you got there.” He reached up to pull strings on two flowers attached to Lisa’s breasts. The petals started to spin.

  She grinned down at him. “I can pull up another chair. I’m Lisa.” She stuck out her hand to greet him.

  “I’m Malcolm.” He grinned.

  This was getting gross. I wanted to warn Lisa about him, but it was already too late. They were facing each other, playing with the spinning petals. I turned my attention toward the center as Victor made his way onto the stage. Sara and William sat at a table behind him, laughing. She kept looking at me, smiling.

  “Care for a drink, ma’am?”

  A server lowered his tray to the table. I grabbed two.

  “Thank you.” I nodded for him to go.

  The arena grew dark, the music stopped, and Victor stood in the spotlight. It was showtime.

  “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the circus! As most of you know, Fleur-De-Lis likes to entertain. Tonight is no exception. Feel free to joke with the clowns, to be mesmerized by the aerialists, to be wowed by the tigers, and be inspired by the night! We are so thankful to have you all here, and we hope this starts your holiday season off right! Let the show begin!” He raised both of his arms, and two confetti cannons shot out with a bang.

  The crowd cheered before settling back into their seats. Victor ducked away as the clowns took to the stage and began their skit.

  “I’ll be right back. Don’t let anyone take my spot!” I whispered to Lisa, who sat with one leg across Malcolm’s knee.

  Yuck.

  I weaved in and out of the tables and around the arena until I reached the area where the performers sat, awaiting their turn. I spotted Victor in the middle of an animated conversation with a tall blonde and an extremely good-looking man. The man looked bored, but the blonde looked ready to jump Victor’s bones. She stood a little too close to Victor for my comfort.

  Or is he standing a little too close to her?

  Sara waddled her way to me with William by her side. I bit my lip hard and struggled to steady my breathing. The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow.

  “Samantha! I believe you know my date. I had no idea you two were married!” Sara shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

  “Hey,” William said, pursing his lips.

  “William. Hi. You and Sara. Wow. I don’t know what to say. It’s been a while.” My nails dug into my palms.

  I needed to get to Victor. The crowd, the blonde, the ex, and Sara were all too much for me. I felt as if everyone was closing in on my personal space—and my headspace.

  Deep breaths.

  This circus was turning out to be a shitshow.

  “Sara says you two work together. For that Beau whatever his name is. The one with the big ego.” He rolled his eyes. As if he was any different. As if he had any room to talk.

  My blood began to boil. I took a deep breath and clutched my necklace. No more masks.

  “His name is Victor Beaumont. He isn’t Mr. Big Ego. He’s a perfect man, the best. He’s also my boyfriend.”

  Sara snorted. Her eyes grew wide, and her nose wrinkled into her familiar stink-face expression. “Boyfriend? You can’t date your boss. Can she, William? Tell her she can’t do that. It’s inappropriate!” Sara shook her head.

  “What does he have to do with anything? William can’t tell me what to do. It doesn’t work like that. You see, I’m not under his thumb anymore. You are. So, this little bullshit stunt you wanted to pull on me is actually the best thing you could have done. Because now, you are here with the biggest asshole in New Orleans, and not to mention, he has a micro-penis. So …” I put the back of my hand to my forehead and made an L sign with my fingers before scurrying off toward Victor.

  I put Sara and William to rest. They deserved each other. But I would be lying to myself if I didn’t admit that seeing him again had triggered me into anxiety that only Victor could calm.

  “Victor! Hi!” I stepped into the huddle around him.

  “Oh! Hey!” He ran his hands through his hair and took a step back from the blonde. “Everyone, this is my … event planner … Samantha. Samantha, this is … Kelsey and her husband, Steve.”

  Event planner. Just his event planner. And did he say Kelsey?

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear that over the announcer. What’s your name again?” I turned toward the blonde.

  “Kelsey.” She stood up straight, pushing her ginormous boobs out. “And this is my husband, Steve.”

  “Pleasure to meet
you, Samantha. Love the bow tie.” Steve reached out to touch my costume, leaving his hand lingering a little too long. He looked like an underwear model, but his touch sent chills down my spine.

  Kelsey turned back toward Victor and placed her hand on his arm. “You were saying?”

  Victor’s eyes looked up at me for a moment. Only a moment before he continued his conversation with Kelsey.

  “Do you know where I can get one of those fancy-looking drinks I see everyone with?” Steve moved closer to me.

  “Sure. Follow me.” My eyes never left Victor. I hoped I burned a hole straight through his mask. “Victor,” I said before I turned to leave, “you’re on next.”

  He nodded his head without looking at me. “Thank you for the heads-up, Samantha.”

  I showed Steve to the bar and ordered us both a drink.

  “Why is your boyfriend talking to his ex-fiancée?” Sara sidled up next to me.

  “Jeez. Can’t you leave me alone?” I looked around for Lisa, finally spotting her by the handlers.

  Malcolm stood, smiling behind her. I guessed she wasn’t nervous around the tigers anymore.

  “Uh-oh. Boyfriend troubles? Who is this lucky man who’s dating you? If I were dating you, I wouldn’t be talking to my ex-fiancée. I’m sure she has nothing on you.” Steve rested his hand on top of mine, letting it linger far too long.

  “Your wife. He’s talking to your wife.” I pried his hand off of me.

  “Huh? I don’t understand,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

  That familiar heavy blanket of misery settled in around me as soon as his nose flared. I realized Steve was just another alpha asshole.

  “Your wife is Kelsey, right? Well, she used to be engaged to Victor Beaumont. She didn’t tell you that?” Sara chimed in. An evil grin spread across her face.

  “No,” he snarled. “Excuse me.” He slammed his drink on the counter and left.