Page 37 of Viral Affair

“Your new boss, Rupert—he has something that I need, and I know you two are close, so maybe we can help each other,” he said, still sipping his damn wine.

A tonne of bricks rolled over in my stomach. This wasn’t happening. Damn it, this guy hadn’t just asked me about Rupert. I was trying to stay calm and figure out how he even knew about him. Maybe he’d had me followed, or maybe he’d seen the video since it went viral. I should have known that the skeletons from my closet would start crawling back out once my face was all over social media. This was bad, and I had to play it cool.

“Something? Like what, exactly? Rupert is my boss and I don’t ask him for any favours, so I don’t know if I can help you in any way,” I said, grabbing the glass because I felt like I needed to have a drink. The wine was good, but my heartbeat was going a hundred miles an hour.

Vincent put his wine down and leaned over the table, his eyes narrowed. His energy suddenly shifted, growing heavy and dark.

“I started investing in properties myself, and one of Mr Banks’ pieces of land is very close to mine. I don’t want to get into too much detail, but your new billionaire boyfriend has some incriminating evidence against me that could put me behind bars for a very long time, and since you’re so close to him, then you have to help me … let’s say for old time’s sake,” he explained.

A cold shiver ran through my core. I stared at him, reminding myself to keep on breathing.

“What kind of evidence, and how do you know Rupert has it?” I questioned him.

Vincent had always been dodgy, but why would he have evidence against him?

“Some security recordings on his site indicate that it’s under development. I suspect he hasn’t done anything with it yet, or maybe he hasn’t seen it, but it’s just a matter of time before he’ll do something that could really damage my business and reputation,” Vincent continued. “I also happen to know that you like this guy very much. Mr. Banks is extremely well connected, and since you’re trying to kickstart your career in social media, this would look bad if the press suddenly found out that Rupert Banks is dating a whore. And then there is also Spencer Banks, the youngest PM of this country, who uses the club regularly, too.”

I couldn’t fucking believe it. Vincent had to have had me followed. After all, he’d always boasted about his London connections, even though he was originally from Bristol and had his business there. Shit, he knew a lot, which meant he wasn’t bluffing about this whole thing.

“What are you asking me to do, Vincent?”

“I need you to find out for me where this security tape is and what he’s done with it. Fuck him or don’t fuck him … whatever, I don’t really care,” he said, then pulled out his phone and slid it across the countertop towards me.

On the screen was a picture of me and Rupert in Paris, and then there was one of Rupert talking to his mother at some party, then one when he was playing with his niece Maja. There were more pictures of Rupert getting out of his limo, Rupert with Spencer at another event, and him talking to me outside the club. The look on Vincent’s face as he saw me understand the implications of all this was one of pure evil. I took a sharp inhale as I shuddered.

“As I said, Veronica, we could help each other. Get me that tape, and everything will go back to the way it should. You’re smart so you will figure out how to do it so you won’t get caught. Also, no one,” he paused, leaning closer, “and I mean no one will get hurt. All these innocent people… that’s a pretty girl by the way…” He pointed to the picture of Maja. “Such a waste if something were to happen to her…” Then, he slid his finger to a picture featuring Rupert. “Or him.”

“Why are you doing this to me, Vincent? Get someone else to break into his office or something? We both know I’m not very technical. I wouldn’t have a clue where to even start,” I said, folding my arms over my chest. I wondered now if Vincent was capable of doing anything more than scare me. More importantly, how could I ever betray Rupert? He was such a good, genuine person. He didn't deserve this.

Vincent's eyes darkened and he leaned in closer, so I smiled, almost gagging at the scent of his disgusting cologne that I always hated so much.

"You will do what I say or who knows what might happen to your beloved Rupert?" he said, giving me a twisted smile. My stomach churned. He kept saying this, so he must mean business. “And don’t think I won’t go through with it, if you decide to cross me.” I stopped a sob from coming out of me. I would never show him weakness. Also, there was no way I could let him hurt the man I had so many feelings for already…

"You stay away from him. He has nothing to do with this," I challenged, but my voice vibrated with untold emotions.

"I assume you would be devastated if Rupert were brutally attacked on the street by some scum after his expensive watch … or maybe his home burglarised while he’s making dinner in the kitchen," Vincent carried on talking, and in that moment, fear like no other clutched at my very soul. I stared at the man who was ready to do anything to get what he wanted, even to hurt an innocent man. "I know all sorts of people who’d do anything for money, Veronica, so I want you to listen to me very carefully because I won't keep repeating myself. I want those recordings, and you will get them for me. I don't care how, but you will—otherwise your beloved billionaire will die."

I swallowed hard, trying not to shake. My mind was racing as I tried to figure out what to do.

Fuck, this was a complete mess, one I could not get anybody else involved in. I had to find a way to ruin Vincent before he completely destroyed everything I cared for.

Chapter Twenty

Rupert

This week had been tough, and my schedule was packed until the end of July. I’d recently purchased a huge development site on the outskirts of London, so all my attention and energy was focused on making sure the site was being cleared while we waited for planning permission to be approved by the council. The past week it rained in London, but the humidity was slowly becoming unbearable. I was in the club rearranging the schedules once again. For one, I made small changes to Veronica’s clients, and after James showed me exactly what I needed to do, I knew how to do it without getting caught.

Veronica still worked for Emperor. I had no idea what had happened with Katharina. My fiery girl had gone slightly quiet after I’d nursed her back to health in my home. I wanted to date her, but I wasn’t willing to share, so for now I had to make sure she wouldn’t have sex with anyone else, even if this proved to be challenging.

Matthews was running some errands and probably pitching new clients, and I was lost in my own thoughts when my phone rang. Surprise, surprise—it was Veronica.

“Hello, sunshine,” I answered, instantly in a much better mood. “Why are you calling me?”

“I really think we should go on a date, Rupert. This week I applied to be a brand ambassador for this Russian beauty brand and I have a feeling they’ll pick me. I’m not making any decisions yet, but if I get this deal, I could quit working for Emperor,” she explained excitedly.

I nearly fell off of my chair. She was still pushing for us to go on an official date and I wasn't sure if this was such a good idea. I’d made up my mind with wanting her to leave the club, but she hadn’t been ready to give up her career for me.

Now this.

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