Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

My throat is dry by the time we arrive at the mall, and Dave is at the entrance.

“Please tell me you found Daisy?” My fists clench.

“Unfortunately not, Mr. Hawthorne, but her friends just told me you invited her to Madison Blue.”

“I did fucking not!”

“I know that, sir. Her friends have given me a room number.”

“Then let’s find out who’s lost their mind to think they can touch my wife and still live peacefully.”

All my muscles bunch when we walk out of the elevator onto the second floor of the hotel. There’re more than twenty reporters in the lobby. Their murmurs immediately come to a halt, and several camera flashes fire up as I walk farther in, flanked by my security team. The rustling of suits in the cramped space is just white noise, but it’s the whooshing sound of my racing heartbeat that’s deafening.

We stop outside a door with a traditional doorknob. I give a nod to the security, who immediately create a barricade between me and the media, making sure no one has a view of the room. When the knob immediately turns and the door finally opens, my heart thuds.

Daisy is crowded against the wall beside the door by her ex. Rage pulses throughout my body, but I keep my expressions flat and carefully step in. Steve and Dave follow me in, and finally, the door closes.

Daisy’s eyes close in relief, and my fist tightens at the sight of a lone tear rolling down her cheeks. I look away from her and bring my gaze to her asshole ex.

“Mr. Mendes, we finally meet.” I walk into the room with slow, measured steps. My voice betrays the tension burbling inside me. “But before we talk, why don’t you take a step away from my wife? It’s for your own safety, because right now, my brain is busy thinking of ways I can physically hurt someone and pose it as an accident.”

“What are you doing here?” Jax gulps. His grip on Daisy loosens, but he’s still holding her too close.

I didn’t lie about thinking of hurting him, and I know I’ll only be able to breathe calmly when he’s out of my sight. Forever.

He releases another irritating huff, letting me know he wasn’t counting on my arrival. His gaze swings between me and my bodyguards before he finally lets go of Daisy’s arm.

Embarrassment flashes on my wife’s face as she takes Dave’s offered hand. I want to tell her that none of this was her fault and everything was staged. But before anything, I want to show her ex what it means to mess with Charles Hawthorne.

“So, what was the plan, Mr. Mendes? Invite my wife to your room and put on a show for the media? Hmm, but that’s not how entrepreneurs behave, is it?” I flop down on the couch. “Oh, sorry, my bad. I must have forgotten—you’re no longer an entrepreneur. How’s the jobless life treating you, by the way?”

“You asshole—” Jax takes a step closer to me, but Steve steps in front of him, blocking him from coming my way and even pushing him back a step.

“I’d suggest you take your next steps very carefully, Mr. Mendes.” I rise and adjust my suit sleeves before walking toward him. “You called her unfaithful when she was my girlfriend, and I ruined your career in return. What do you think I’ll do when you put my wife’s dignity in danger? It was a mistake to ruin just your career. You have twelve hours to leave this town for good or else I’ll charge you with slander, libel, and defamation.”

His face whitens. “You can’t—”

“Do you really think I haven’t encountered my fair share of assholes like you? Believe me, you’re a more common breed than you think.” With another step, I reach his face. “And, Mr. Mendes, next time you touch my wife or even breathe the same air as her, remember this.”

My punch lands right on his jaw. Seeing the imprint of my wedding band on his skin gives me huge satisfaction.

“Clean him up before bringing him out.” I don’t wait for Dave and Steve to acknowledge my request, instead making a beeline for Daisy.

Her mouth is open, lips parted in a silent gasp, and when I hold her hand in mine, something I’ve wanted to do since I walked into this room, her skin is ice cold. “Let’s go, butterfly.”

“Charles.” Her shock seems to finally break, and that low, quivering voice hits a nerve in my body. It’s physically painful to watch her shoulders drop.

“It’s okay. We’ll talk at home. There’s press outside. Let’s handle them first and get the hell out of here.”

Holding Daisy close to me, I stride outside to the waiting elevator, held by one of the Kings Security bodyguards. Just before the doors close, I jam it with my foot.

I hate lingering in this place a moment longer, but deep down, I know running away isn’t the right solution. If I don’t confront this now, there’ll soon be another Jax Mendes threatening to disturb my life’s balance and endanger Daisy. I turn to meet the gaze of the reporters.

“If you’re after real news, join us in the lobby.”

As the elevator doors shut, I see everyone moving toward the stairs.

“I’m sorry, Charles. Jax—” Daisy’s voice is hoarse.