Page 48 of Worship Him

I toss the phone aside, running a hand through my hair. Avery's face flashes in my mind - her tiny hands, those big brown eyes. A surge of protectiveness washes over me.

"Claire," I bark into the intercom. "Get me a list of every employee who could have accessed my personal information in the last six months. Ask the IT team to help you with that."

"Your lawyer already instructed me, Mr. Ryder, I'm on it," she responds, her voice clipped and efficient.

I pace the office once again, my mind racing. Whoever leaked this is going to regret the day they crossed me. I'll make sure of it. They'll learn exactly why you don't fuck with Adam Ryder or his family.

I pour myself a whiskey, the amber liquid sloshing against the crystal tumbler. The first sip burns down my throat, a welcome distraction from the chaos in my head.

I stare into the glass, watching the light refract through the liquor.

Unbidden, memories of last night flood my mind. Destiny's soft skin under my fingertips, her breathless moans echoing in my ears. The way she arched against me, her nails raking down my back...

"Fuck," I mutter, downing the rest of the whiskey in one gulp. The burn intensifies, momentarily clearing my head.

I can't afford to dwell on this. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. There are more pressing matters at hand.

The mole is in my company, hiding in plain sight. Someone I've trusted has betrayed me, endangered my daughter.

I return to the windows, as if drawn to the view that would normally make me feel pride. The city skyline beyond my window blurs as I turn sharply, my fists clenched at my sides.

My phone buzzes. Samantha's update. Nothing new. No leads on the leak, no progress on containment. Useless.

I grab the crystal tumbler, tempted to hurl it across the room. Instead, I down the remaining whiskey in one swift gulp. The burn does nothing to quell the fire in my veins.

My mind races. Who could've done this? Who would dare cross me? The list of suspects is too long, the potential consequences too severe.

Avery's face flashes in my mind once more. My daughter. My flesh and blood. Now a target for the vultures circling overhead.

And Destiny... Christ. Just when things were... No. I can't think about that now. Focus on the problem at hand.

I snatch up my phone again, dialing Claire. I can’t wait for updates to come to me.

"Any news on that list?" I demand the moment she picks up.

"Not yet, Mr. Ryder. IT is still compiling?—"

"Tell them to work faster. I needed that list yesterday."

I end the call before she can respond.

Incompetence surrounds me.

My reflection glares back at me from the window. Darkness in my eyes, jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. I look like a man on the edge.

Because I am. And I fucking hate it.

The intercom buzzes. Claire hesitantly speaks. "Mr. Ryder, your 3 o'clock is here."

Shit. An investors meeting. I'd forgotten.

"Reschedule," I snap.

"But sir, they've flown in from?—"

"I said reschedule!"

Silence. Then a meek, "Yes, Mr. Ryder."

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