Page 24 of Innocent Intentions

Before I can put Sebastian on hold, Ryan starts talking.

“Boss, I heard a noise from the bedroom, so I went in and found her on her phone.She was answering a call when I apprehended–”

“Stop! Stop speaking!” I shout frantically. “Bash, I’m going to put you on hold.” I hear him start to protest before I press the button.

I turn to Ryan. “What happened?”

He pales. “I heard some noise coming out of the bedroom, so I walked in. I saw her talking on the phone. She was receiving a call. I took the phone before she could say anything. Here.” He hands me a phone in a light blue case.

At first, I’m proud of him. Then his words register, and I’m furious.

“You walked into my bedroom. Where she was. Alone. Without permission. Then forcibly apprehended her phone?” I try to stay calm, but by the end of the sentence, I’m bellowing.

“Sir, I thought you wouldn’t want her calling for help. I apologize.” His voice wavers. He’s afraid. Good, he should be afraid.

I stare at him for a long, tense second.

Then I take the phone and clench my jaw.

“Go back to guarding her door. Do not walk in again. If you hear anything, call me.” I dismiss him. Looking at him any longer will just piss me off more.

Ryan nods stiffly and rushes out.

I exhale, trying to cool the anger simmering in my chest.

How dare he touch her.

How dare he manhandle her.

How dare he walk into my bedroom where she is alone. Where she could have been indecent.

I shake the thought off and focus on the phone in my hand. It’s locked, of course.

I take Bash off hold. “Hey, sorry about that. One of my men needed something.” I keep my tone carefree, as though I didn’t just consider murdering my own security.

“What the hell is going on Matthias? Why is one of your men taking a girl’s phone? Who is Margot Peterson?”

I blink.Margot Peterson.

I like it. It fits her.

But Margot Montclair will sound so much better.

“Don’t worry about it.” I dismiss it quickly. “Tell me what you found.”

“No. Tell me what’s going on.”

I sigh. “Bash, trust me. You know me. I would never hurt a woman. Everything is fine. Just tell me what you’ve found.”

Bash hesitates. “Fine. Give me another hour, and I’ll send you a file.”

I smirk. He trusts me. He always has.

“Thanks. Oh, also, how do you get into a phone with a password?”

Bash walks me through a code that’ll unlock all phones, which is very concerning information to know exists.

A call interrupts me before I can dig through her phone.

---