Lib Novel Page 98
“I’m not dumb, asshole. I had difficulty reading. I’m shocked I dated you!”
“And I’m shocked he married you and ruined my career for doing that interview.” Jax’s bloodshot eyes, fueled with rage, force me to take another step back.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jax. But I have no interest in spending a second longer in this room.” I turn to leave, but Jax tugs on my arms and crowds me against a wall.
“Oh, no. You don’t get to leave so soon, Daisy. And if you really don’t know, then let me educate you. Your husband destroyed my IPO. In one night, all my investors pulled out. Everything I’ve worked for since years was snatched right out of my hands.”
Oh my God!
I feel bad for Jax. I really do, despite the cheap trick he played with me. If there’s anything in this world he genuinely cared about, it’s that IPO.
But that sentiment lasts for no more than a second as he looks down at his watch.
“In fifteen minutes from now, the lobby outside this room will be filled with press and media. What do you think they’ll believe when they see you and me together walking out of a hotel room?”
That’s when it hits me.
“The man outside…he’s the one who took your interview?”
“He sure did. It’s about time Charles Hawthorne learns that he’s not a god in this town.”
22
THE REAL CHARLES HAWTHORNE
CHARLES
I slip into the back seat of my car when my phone rings. A quiver forms in my stomach at the sight of Dave’s name on the screen. He shouldn’t be calling me unless…
“Is Daisy alright?”
“Mrs. Hawthorne is at the food court with her friends, and I’m one floor down. She instructed me to not stay too close, sir.”
“And something’s wrong?”
“There’s an unusual number of reporters in the mall in the middle of a workday. It might be a coincidence, but something seems amiss, sir.”
My mouth goes dry, words sticking in my throat.
“I trust your instincts, Dave. Find Daisy. Steve and I are on our way.”
I’ve just ended the call when a text notification pops up on my screen.
Ray: I’m in a meeting with the mayor of Cherrywood, and someone just asked him to turn on his TV. The local news is showing the mall, but I spotted Daisy’s friends on the screen. Is everything under control?
My heart lurches out of my chest. All the blood drains from my face, and I let the familiar fear grip me for a second before I shoot a text to Carter King, head of Kings Security.
Me: I need a small group of your best men at the Cherrywood mall. How soon can you make it happen?
I don’t have to wait more than a few seconds for his reply.
Carter: You can meet my five finest men at the mall’s underground parking garage in ten minutes. If you want more force, it might take a while.
Me: Five is good. Thanks.
“Carter King has sent additional security.” I meet Steve’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “Let’s find them first.”
My bodyguard curses before looking back at the street. In all these years, there has never been an incident when I had to call for backup security. Dave and Steve have always been enough. But this is different. This is Daisy.