Page 64 of Her Dark Billionaire Boss

My mouth gaped open and my breath huffed in and out. I couldn't breathe. Shit, I couldn't breathe.

“It was my friend, Chase,” Joe said, his forehead creased in worry, “it was just a business message.”

“Business?” I snapped, trying to pull away from him. “Have you set me up? For him? So he can do it all again?”

Fire burned every nerve in my body as I squirmed and tried to get out of his grip. They were in on it together, of course they were. No wonder I had recognised the voice of the man who had been talking to Chase in the club. It was him. It had probably been him all along.

“Lola!” Joe grabbed the top of my arms and squeezed hard, forcing me to stop moving. “I don't have a clue what you're talking about. I keep the society completely separate from my design business and from you. I've not been involved for a while, to the point they're questioning my loyalty. Because of you. And this...” He held up his phone. “...I've not even read Chase's message, it's just about a new member, so you’d better explain yourself, woman!”

The sincerity in his strained voice and the expression on his face was plain. He had no idea what I was talking about – which would make sense, considering he wouldn't have risked opening the message on his phone if he'd known.

My insides quivered as I recalled the conversation between Chase and the man at the club.

“That man,” I said, taking the phone from my new protector and showing him the photo, “who is about to join your society... is…is… my foster father. And he's finally found me.”

“Found you?” Joe's jaw tensed. “What do you mean?”

“H-he,” I stuttered, glancing over my shoulder, just out of habit, “wants me dead.”

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