“He took the photos off my phone?”
“It is possible, but it’s more likely he breached your cloud account. Maybe you clicked on a link at some point in a phishing email, or he had an old password. It’s easily done.”
He looks at his phone. “Shit. I didn’t realize.”
I feel a flare of anger at his idiocy. “Why did you keep them?” I demand.
“I didn’t know I had.”
“You should have deleted them as soon as you broke up.”
He shrugs. “I forgot.”
I narrow my eyes and move closer to him. “Were they consensual?”
He lowers his phone and meets my gaze. I wait for him to confirm it, but instead his expression turns curious. “I don’t think that’s any of your fucking business,” he says coolly.
I know I’m overstepping my duties here, but I don’t care. “It’s my business if they weren’t.”
He studies my face, amused. “You’re into her, aren’t you?”
“She’s my principal, and this is strictly professional.”
“Yeah, right. Look, dude, what Aurelia and I did in the bedroom is irrelevant. You should be concentrating on tracking down the fucking animal who sent it to her. I know we’re not an item, but I don’t like the idea of someone threatening her.”
He’s right, but all I can think about is the fact that he might have done things to her that she didn’t want done.
She wouldn’t have met him for lunch today, if that was the case, though. Would she?
“Yeah,” he says softly, “you’re being strictly professional.”
I move closer to him. I know my weight and height often make people nervous. Looking him in the eyes, I whisper, “If I find out that you hurt her in any way…”
“I didn’t do anything to her that she didn’t want done. Mostly.” His lips curve up.
I clench my fists at my side. It takes every ounce of willpower I own not to punch the bastard in the face.
Dominic smirks, obviously sensing my fury, and knowing I can’t give in to it.
I hate the bastard. But there’s nothing I can do about it, and we both know it.
Before I do something I regret, I turn away and walk toward the door.
“Leaving so soon?” he asks in a mocking voice.
I throw him a glare back. “Change your password, you fucking idiot.” I have the satisfaction of seeing his face drop before I walk out of the door.
Taking the high ground isn’t as satisfying, but at least I get to keep my job. And right now, keeping my job is the only way I can keep protecting her.
Chapter Eight
The next day – New Year’s Eve
Luke
“Here you go.” Marcus holds out a beer to me. “Can’t believe you’re not drinking on New Year’s Eve, but I appreciate the sacrifice.”
“Thanks.” Today I’m taking the late shift, and I’ll be driving Aurelia home at the end of the evening. We’re on Waiheke Island, near Auckland, at a private engagement party the Ashfords are holding in a vineyard. It’s late, with less than an hour to go until the clock strikes midnight. The summer evening is still warm, although the sky outside is clear and filled with stars.
