Page 83 of Muted

“You’re fucking welcome for looking out for you. I don’t want that bitch in our office when I’m not there. I’m putting my foot down on that crap. She can work when one of us is there. I don’t trust her.”

Again, I choose to ignore what he said and ask, “She seem upset when you were done chewing her ass out?”

Cliff just laughs before clicking his tongue. “Why are you so worried about her? She’s an employee. She was fine when I left.”

“I didn’t see you when I got there,” Theo calls out.

He pauses when he hears Theo’s voice, then sneers, “Oh, you guys are together. Fucking awesome. Tell him I don’t need to make myself known to the bouncer. I had shit to do, so I left. Now, if you’re done interrogating me like I’VE done something wrong here, I’m going to go. I’ll be in tomorrow.”

I set my phone down without saying goodbye as he hangs up on me.

“I’m going to hurt him,” Theo growls. “I heard everything he said. So, what did hereallysay to her?”

I let my head drop into my hand, so over all of this shit. “I don’t fucking know. Whatever it was scared her, though. When I get her tomorrow, I’ll—”

The buzzing on my phone cuts me off. A text from Susu.

Susu: I need tomorrow off, please.

“Or not,” I drawl out, flashing my screen so Theo can read.

This time when he stands up, I let him. There’s no way I’m going to be able to stop him from bothering her now. I wave down the server for the bill since my friend is already halfway to the door, tapping away on his phone.

As I wait, Cliff’s words run through my head. It doesn’t bother me that she was in the office, butwasshe going through the things on my desk outside of just grabbing what she needed? Do I care?ShouldI care?

Not knowing the answer, I decide that for tonight, I’m going to let it go. I trust her enough to know that what I saw in her bedroom tonight was probably the most open she’s ever been with me.

That girl holds her cards close to her chest, so the fact that she allowed herself to be vulnerable with me means she at least hassometrust in me. I’ll do her the courtesy and give her the same.

Realizing I didn’t respond to her, I quickly reply.

Me: Take the time you need. Just know that I’m here for you if you need me.

Theo

The moment I’ve left the bar, I hit send to my first of what I know will be many texts to this woman I’ve got it bad for.

Me: What happened today?

Me: I know you’re awake. I was with Chaz when you texted him. Please tell me what’s going on?

The delivered receipt turns to ‘read’, so I send another text.

Me: There you are. Baby, talk to me.

I hop into my truck and turn on the engine, letting it idle before deciding what to do next. The last text I sent is read as well, but no text bubbles showing that she’s in the middle of responding.

Me: I’ll be honest. I’m about 2 seconds away from driving my ass over to your place. I know Cliff cornered you today and something he said has you disappearing into yourself.

Read. No response.

Me: What did he do to you?

This time, it stays unread. Done with waiting, I slam my truck into drive and pull up her address that I snuck from Chaz’s desk. Does that make me a stalker? Maybe, but tonight I don’t give a fuck.

My breathing is rapid as I hurry toward her apartment, periodically checking to see if she’s responded. Still unread.

I can’t stand the thought that someone is looking for her, presumably to hurt her,andshe was unsafe for even a fraction of a second inmybar. Someone fucked withmygoddamn girl.

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