Page 20 of Unraveling an Enigma
My mouth gapes open wide in shock as my pupils widen. Before any words can spill from my lips, Hugo ambles toward Cormack’s office, leaving me standing in the foyer, looking completely dumbfounded.
Isabelle
Abroad smile curves my lips high when I read Harlow’s message.
Harlow:I don’t know what you said to Cormack, but thank you.
After sending a brief message back to Harlow saying I only did what I should have done months ago, I turn the screen of my phone to Hugo to show him our joint success. Luckily for me, Cormack was more willing to listen to my pleas for forgiveness. But at the end of the day, I don’t know whether it was my brutal honesty, or the fact Hugo clearly told him, “If you don’t want Harlow, I sure as hell know at least a dozen men lining up to take your place.”
I saw the flash of recognition cross over Cormack’s face the instant the words seeped from Hugo’s mouth. He knew what Hugo said was true. Harlow is beautiful; she has a strong work ethic and an even stronger heart. If Cormack waited too long, another man would eventually swoop in under his nose and snatch her up.
“At least one guy listened to my advice,” mumbles Hugo under his breath as he pulls his red muscle car to the front of my apartment building.
“What happened between you and Isaac that got you fired?”
Hugo smiles a broad grin as his white teeth shine in the setting sun. “I told him to pull his head out of his ass.”
My mortified face snaps to face Hugo. “Are you a lunatic?” My tone is deadly serious. “How did you leave Isaac’s house alive?”
Hugo laughs a full-hearted chuckle that bounces around his car. His laugh is so infectious; a smile soon stretches across my face.
Once Hugo’s chuckles settle down, his glistening eyes turn to face me. “I was being honest. He didn’t give you a chance to explain yourself Friday night.”
A grateful smile curves my lips higher. “Why do you trust me so much?” I ask, while wishing Isaac had just as much faith in me as Hugo does.
“If you wanted to pin anything on Isaac, you had plenty of opportunities before you guys even got together.”
I remain silent, waiting for Hugo to elaborate on his story.
“I might have given you a few tests the past couple of months.”
“Like what?” My curiosity is piqued.
Hugo clears his throat. “The envelopes that were in Isaac’s apartment, they weren’t real, but I left them there to see if you’d take them.”
His brows lower down his face. “I also tapped your phone to see if you sent any messages or called anyone after Isaac met with Henry Gottle at the McGregor residence.”
My jaw tightens over him invading my personal privacy, but on the inside, I’m pleased he was looking out for Isaac’s best interests.
“Also the whole club 57 incident,” Hugo continues, his voice muffled.
I swallow harshly, praying he did indeed turn the cameras off that night. He eyes me curiously, unable to determine what my frenzied expression is about.
When the realization dawns, his nose scrunches up, and he gags. “Believe me, I turned those cameras off before anything raunchy happened. I prefer to participate in sexual activities, not watch them like some sicko behind a computer monitor. But thanks for your faith, Izzy,” he remarks, his voice saturated with sarcastic disgust.
I try to hide my smile, but the smallest one curves on my mouth.
Seeing my smile, a cheeky grin forms on Hugo’s face. “I knew Isaac would go in brutal. You didn’t blink an eyelid to his reaction. Well, actually, you did blink, but it was more that girlie flutter-your-eyelashes-excessively type of blink, that makes us guys wonder if you have a nervous twitch or you have something stuck in your eye.”
A grin spreads across my face. “Kind of like the way Peta was looking at you earlier?” I retort, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Hugo rubs his palms together while adjusting his position to face me. “After I told Isaac to pull his head out of his ass, I said the same thing to him that I did to Cormack earlier. Isaac just didn’t take it quite as well as Cormack did. Even heavily intoxicated, Isaac has a hard ass right hook.”
My pupils widen and my jaw drops. “Isaac hit you?”
Hugo’s broad shoulders lift into a hunch. “He wasn’t aiming to cause harm, he was just pissed,” he explains, his gaze locking in on mine. “I would have been more concerned if he didn’t react to my taunt. You should have been too.”
I consider Hugo’s remark. To be honest, I’m torn on the whole situation. Did Isaac respond to Hugo’s comment because he was jealous, or because he didn’t appreciate Hugo telling him what to do? I know without a doubt Isaac hates being strongarmed. So maybe it was more to do with that than jealousy?
