Page 81 of Total Abandon

“Not now, Chase,” I snap without even turning.

“Yes, now.” A different voice this time, one I also recognize, as a hand clamps down on my shoulder and pulls me to a halt.

I spin, anger flaring in my gut as I glare at Mason. “I said not fucking now!”

I have to go to her. I have to tear my heart out and place it at her feet, even though she betrayed me, and it makes me a weak man for loving her still.

“I'm going to give you a free pass, because I’ve been where you are right now, trust me. But if you speak to me like that again, I’ll give you the fight you’re itching for,” he growls, his fingers clenching around my shoulder so I can’t move.

My chest heaves and I realize he’s right. I am spoiling for a fight. My hands are squeezed into fists so tight my knuckles scream, and every part of my body vibrates as the realization I’m in love with her tears me apart. For a moment, I consider taking him up on the offer just for something to do with all the uneasy energy spilling inside, and he knows it, judging by the stony tilt of his head.

“I’m in love with her.” My voice is barely above a hoarse whisper.

The corner of his lips twitch, and his ice blue eyes sparkle. “Yes, we know.”

“Pretty fucking obvious, dude.” Chase scoffs from beside him, shaking his head exasperatedly.

“Then you know I need to go and tell her.” I frown, my confusion rising to war with my anger. Why the fuck are they stopping me?

“You need to hear this first,” Mason says grimly, squeezing my shoulder and then dropping his hand. My gaze flicks between them as I wait. “I found out a week ago that Anthony Sweeney was behind your security breach. He hacked into your systems.”

I freeze, my brain catapulting in a different direction at a million miles per hour. I search his eyes for any sign of deceit but find them clear and sincere. I shouldn’t doubt him, he’s one of my oldest friends, but after the last few days, I don’t know who to trust anymore.

“He stole the code he accused Chloe of giving him. She had no involvement, Zeke.”

I stare at him, rooted to the spot. “But that code wasn’t accessed.”

“It was, I checked. He covered it well, laid down a false trail,” Chase cuts in, shoving his hands into the pocket of his pants.

“How did you check?” My voice is a low growl, but sweat beads at the nape of my neck as their words sink in. Chloe didn’t do it. Sickly sweet relief wars with a sour dread, because I tore her to shreds in my office and she didn’t deserve an ounce of it.

“I hacked into your systems, buddy. You should fire whoever is in charge of security. It was child’s play.” He beams, looking like a cat that got the cream. “And what’s more,” he adds, suddenly turning solemn. “I went and heard Chloe out like you should have done in the first place and it turns out she’s been getting fake emails at work asking her to call business contacts, all with Sweeney’s number on them.”

My mind spins, my legs going numb where I stand. I cast my eyes around for somewhere to sit but come up empty. Mason’s hand claps back onto my shoulder, and I look at him.

“It’s all bullshit—the court case, the stalking, the photos, none of it is real. He orchestrated the whole thing because she left him when she found out he cheated. From what we can gather, the only thing she did was smash up his apartment after he fucked her over and I don't blame her for it. She’s innocent,” Mason says steadily.

The reality of what has happened opens its gaping maw and swallows me whole. I rear back on unsteady feet, casting my hand into my hair and tugging. How the fuck did I let this happen?

“She’s at your place now packing up the rest of her things. Now is the time that you go and beg for forgiveness, in case you were wondering,” Chase drawls dryly.

“Thank you,” I manage to choke out hoarsely before I’m turning and barreling out of the brass revolving doors and onto the sidewalk. The streets are crawling with traffic as dribs and drabs of attendees show up for the event. Yanking my phone out of my pocket, I hit speed dial and hold it to my ear.

“Where are you?” I snap as Bates answers.

“I’m a few blocks away, sir. I’m sorry, I didn’t think you would want to leave so soon.”

I hold the phone away from my ear and explode with a string of expletives so disgusting it would make a nun’s hair curl. There is no way he will get back here in time for us to catch Chloe. I glance down at my shiny dress shoes and groan. Hanging up without bothering to respond, I begin to run.

Chapter 35

Tilly:Shout if you need rescuing.

Chloe:I’ll be fine, thanks. Chase said Zeke is at an event tonight.

Tilly:How are you feeling after that bombshell earlier?

Chloe:Just peachy.