Gotta love possessive Hero 😭🤤
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"What's that?" Hero asked as he threw his clothes back on. 

Making his way over to me, I stupidly shoved it onto the couch. He raised a brow at this, eyeing my hand. 

"What?" He snapped. "Is that fucking Cole?" 

As he grabbed for my phone, I stood up, upset that he'd even think this. 

"No, it's not Cole. It's my mother- my real mother. Emma. She asked if I still wanted to wear the wire. I knew it would piss you off." 

"No." Hero ordered, staring into my soul. "Absolutely not. Eloise is a damn criminal. I'm not letting you anywhere near her." 

I threw my hands up in exasperation.

"So, what then? You're going to sit across her and not find the will to punch her?" 

He rolled his eyes like a child. 

"No." 

Like a pouty adolescent I placed my hands on my hips, fully aware I was still half naked. 

"What am I supposed to do? The cops reached out and asked- the cops. Something has to be done to put them away for good. We both know that I'm our best chance." 

Hero clenched his teeth. 

"They have to promise you'll be safe." 

I shrugged. "I doubt there will be a swat team but I'm sure they'll take precautions. I don't think you have anything to worry about. If they were going to do something it would have already happened." 

Hero seemed pressed, tapping a foot. 

"When?" He growled. "When will this happen?"

"I don't know!" I spat, already fed up with his short attitude. "I have to text Emma and ask!" 

As I ran to my phone and began typing, Hero's exploded from another room. Quickly running and retrieving it, he answered with a sharp tone. 

"Hello?" 

After a minute of silence, he groaned.
 
"Why do we have to have another fucking dinner-? What- she did- you do- fine- we'll do it your way!" 

As soon as he threw his phone at a box, he faced me. 

"That was Dorinda." 

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 

"What did she want?" 

I didn't forget our last meeting together. It was odd to say the least. 

Hero sighed. "She said that Diedre warned her to stay away from you, but my mom has other ideas. She wants to put something together. Without her mother." 

"Tonight?" 

He ran a hand over his face. "Yes. We don't have to go." 

I smiled. "Why not? The night is still young. Besides, she usually pays for dinner doesn't she? I'm craving a salad." 

Without saying much more, he stormed his way to the bedroom slamming the door. 

Later when we had both freshened up, we headed to a nice upscale restaurant that had all sorts of glass items
imaginable hanging from the ceiling. 

I knew I should have been used to places like this after meeting Hero's parents but it still took me by surprise.
 
My family had money. But we weren't billionaires. That was for sure. 

When we made it inside, a young hostess immediately directed us to a large table upon hearing Dorinda's name. When we approached, we saw her sitting alone with a girl closer to my age.

She was stunning, covered in shimmering foundation and glittery makeup matched with a ravishing gown. 

It made me feel even more insecure as Dorinda eyed my outfit with disdain. 

"What you usually adorn is... questionable... but your choice today is quite underwhelming." 

I did my best to cover my legs and mid-riff. Eloise had raised me better but I'd let my habits die lately. 

"It's just dinner." I replied. 

Dorinda sighed. "I suppose it won't really matter. No one will be looking at you." 

I found this comment strange, but being who I was, ignored it all together, pulling out a seat. Just as Hero was about to join me, Dorinda cleared her throat. 

"Son, why don't you sit with me?" 

I now noticed she'd brandished a chair between her and the girl. It may have been severe jealously, but I didn't feel comfortable with this arrangement. 

"I'm sitting with Kristina." Hero stated.
 
"Please," Dorinda begged, "I haven't seen you in so long. It's important."
 
Looking up at Hero, I nodded, silently telling him it was okay. After much trepidation, he made his way over, sitting rigidly.

As I pulled my menu up, Dorinda began speaking.

"Hero, this is Angelika. Angelika, this is my dear son. You both have a lot in common. I remember when he was younger. He loved to watch Disney." 

This caught my attention. 

Looking up, I saw that Angelika was staring at my boyfriend in admiration. Though he looked quite uneasy, there was a palpable moment between them.
 
What was happening? No. I didn't want to witness this. They were both clearly wealthy and looked good as a pair. 

Angelika leaned on her hand, gazing at Hero like she was utterly smitten.
 
"So, what do you do for a living? Your mother tells me you're quite the bachelor."

My eyes watered as I saw him communicating without fail. 

"Oh...um... I don't really do anything right now... I'm in the process of figuring it out..." 

Dorinda laughed too loud for comfort.
 
"Oh, how modest he is! My, my. As a child, he was always out and about. He was more of a leader." 

Angelika giggled at this. 

"Oh my god! A nature enthusiast? How lucky am I to meet you?" 

No. No. I couldn't take any more of this. 
I cleared my throat.

"Excuse me? Are we going to order?" 

Why did I feel like I was back in middle school again? It was like I was invisible. They were all acting as if I weren't present. As if I didn't have feelings. 

Had Dorinda set this up? 

"Oh, my dear," Dorinda laughed. "I forgot you were even here!" 

That did it. 

Scooting back from the table with a clatter, I wiped at my face glowering at them all. 

"What is this?" I demanded. 

Dorinda's eyes widened. "What ever do you mean dear?" 

I was aware that we'd caught the eyes of a family nearby. 

Hero stood up as well. 

"I'd like to ask the same." 

"You know what?" Angelika began, "I think I need to go to the powder room. Excuse me." 

As soon as she hurried away, Hero cornered Dorinda. 

"Why was that bitch here?" 

"Language," Dorinda warned, "she has a name."

"Was this a fucking hookup?" Hero spat. "Was that why she was acting so crazy?" 

I sucked in a sharp breath feeling pain for what I was initially thinking. 

Dorinda shrugged. "At least she appreciated you." 

I huffed, not willing to let her get away with this. 

"Why was I even invited then?" 

Dorinda looked up at me without shame. 

"I didn't invite you. You invited yourself." 

This caused Hero to shove me behind him. He was simmering, the anger evident on his face. 

"I thought you and I were making progress? Why are you acting like this? Is it me? Is it Diedre?"

Dorinda closed her eyes as if in pain. 

"I think you should both leave." 

"Fine." Hero hissed. "We didn't need to be here." 

As we made our way across the restaurant, I looked back to see Dorinda frowning at me.

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