Out of the Storm - COMPLETE

Chapter 21

Theo

SITTING IN MY car, I cut the engine so I can hear better. Part of me can't believe the fucker tracked her phone, but the other side of me isn't a bit surprised. I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath during their conversation until I finally started again after he said she'd been in the building the whole time.

For a minute, I think Jules is going to get in her car and leave him, but there's a pause. I'm too far up to see anything. Why's it so quiet? What's she doing?

"Who was the potential client?" the fucker asks.

More quiet. She's not answering quickly. This isn't good. "C'mon, Jules. We talked about this at dinner. Remember. Tell the truth. Don't blow this."

Everything in me wants to go down there, interrupt their meeting, give her a reason to bail, but I don't see how that would work. It'll just piss Charlie off more, and dicks like him typically take their aggression out on innocent people. I can't do anything that I think may put her in more danger.

"Turns out I didn't meet the actual client. I met his rep." There's another pause. "I don't know his name. Anonymity was a condition if we wanted the account."

Good girl. I can't see her, but the way she said it would have convinced me. It was partially true.

"Where did you go to dinner?"

She huffs. "You're quizzing me like you don't trust me, Charlie, and I don't like it."

There's shuffling, and then it sounds like someone being thrown against a car. My fists clench, my jaw tightens. So help me, if he's doing what I think he is, I'm not sure I will be able to control myself when I get down there. I nearly toss the phone into my seat, but something tells me to stay put, to listen and not act impulsively.

"You better not be lying to me, Jules. Do you understand me?"

"I'm not. The account is a potentially large one, and I don't want to screw it up."

Truth.

"How big?"

"Millions. And I was looking over reports tonight. It looks like we could use it, so I would think you wouldn't want to blow the chance either. The rep said they'd only work with me. So, I need you to trust me."

I can't even attempt to hide my grin, except I think about him having her pinned against a car, jerking her around. It makes my blood boil. Maybe I could act like I was going into work to get something or do something. Maybe that wouldn't be obvious.

That's when the idea pops into my head. I get out of my car, close my door, lock it, and go to the stairwell. I go to the ground floor, which thank fuck isn't the one they're on, and I run to the front of the building. The phone is still to my ear. When I reach the front door, I see Calvin sitting there. I never knew his name, but I suddenly want to fucking hug him for what he said to Jules. It just further proves my point, lets her know she can trust me, that I wasn't just planting shit in her ear to try to get my way with her.

Pulling my wallet from my pocket, I show him my ID. He nods, not saying anything, probably because he thinks I'm on the phone. And I am. I'm listening. And there's way too much silence. Maybe this was a horrible fucking idea.

I had briefly thought about running up to my office to get my gym bag, but I fear I'd drop the call in the elevator. Instead, I walk right past them to the back entrance. The back entrance is one floor up from the ground level. That's where she's parked.

"I'm sorry, baby," he says.

Gag me with a fucking spoon. I'm convinced he doesn't have an ounce of regret in his body. Or a conscience.