Page 113 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“When you do, you’ll understand my eagerness.”
He winks before strutting through the automatic glass door at the front of Destiny Records. When I follow him, no more words are needed. Peta is beautiful, in a sexy, schoolteacher type of way. Her tight, high-waisted skirt paired with dangerously high stilettos makes it appear as if her legs never end. She reminds me of a young Halle Berry. Even their skin tone and facial structure are a perfect match.
I mill around in the foyer when Hugo makes his way to Peta's desk. I'll let him work his magic since Peta doesn't have eyes for anyone else in the room the instant she spots him. She bats her lashes as her nude lips gnaw on a ballpoint pen.
After a few minutes of chit-chat, Hugo returns to my side. He rubs his hands together while smiling a blinding grin. “Cormack is finishing up an important appointment, then the next twenty minutes of his schedule is free.”
A ghost of a smile sneaks onto my lips. Although I’m pleased with Hugo’s negotiating skills, not all my smile centers around that. His gaze never left Peta during his comment.
“Why don’t you ask her out?”
With a grimace, he shrugs. If he’s planning to reply with words, he loses the chance when Isaac strides out of Cormack’s office. His demeanor is so commanding, I’m not the only set of eyes watching his every move. He's so breathtakingly beautiful, my eyes hurt while assessing his perfect face and body, so I can’t blame others for enjoying the view as well.
After shaking Cormack’s hand, Isaac shifts on his feet to face Hugo and me. His outward appearance doesn’t give any indication he has spotted us, but I can feel the heat of his gaze raking my body—it bristles every fine hair on my body and has my knees touching.
When his attention shifts to Hugo, his jaw gains a new tick. There’s more tension in the room now than there was Friday night when Hugo placed himself between us.
As he makes his way to the front door, no words are spoken between us, but I’m hopeful my eyes will relay how much I miss him and that I’m sorry for hurting him.
Once he’s no longer in sight, my watering eyes lift to Hugo. “You're not on a day off, are you?”
He grins. “Nope. I set a new record by getting fired twice in one night.”
CHAPTER8
ISABELLE
Asmile curves my lips when I read Harlow’s message.
Harlow:I don't know what you said to Cormack, but thank you.
After returning her message saying I only did what I should have done months ago, I show Hugo our joint success. Cormack was more than willing to listen to my pleas for forgiveness. I don’t know if it was brutal honesty that got him over the line, or Hugo telling him over a dozen men are lining up to take his place in Harlow's life if he weren't up to the task. From the recognition that dawned across Cormack's face, I'd say it was the latter. Harlow is beautiful. She has a strong work ethic and an even stronger heart. If Cormack waited too long, another man would snatch her away from him without a single regret.
“At least someone listened to my advice.”
I wait for Hugo to pull his car into the front of my building before asking, “What happened between you and Isaac that got you fired?”
His teeth shine in the sun when he smiles. “I told him to pull his head out of his ass.”
“Seriously?” When he nods, I slap his bicep. “How the hell are you still breathing?”
His chuckle bounces around the interior of his car. “You can’t punish someone for being honest. He didn’t give you a chance to explain yourself. He should have.”
His blind faith is shocking, but oh so needed after the shit few days I’ve had. “Why do you trust me so much, Hugo?”
He shuts down his engine before tilting his torso my way. “If you wanted to pin anything on Isaac, you had plenty of chances before you guys became official.” He licks his dry lips. “I might have also given you a handful of tests.”
“What kind of tests?” I’m more curious than angry.
My throat grows scratchy when he says, “The envelopes in Isaac’s apartment, they weren’t real. I planted them to see if you’d take them.” He works his jaw side to side. “I also tapped your phone to see if you reached out to anyone after Isaac met with Henry Gottle at the McGregor residence.”
I glare at him, furious he invaded my privacy, but also grateful he always has Isaac’s best interests at the forefront of his mind.
I take back every nice thought I’ve ever had about him when he mutters, “Also, there was the whole club 57 incident—”
“You said you turned off the cameras!”
He gags—loudly. “Believe me, I turned them off long before anything raunchy happened. I prefer participating in sexual activities, not watching them like some sicko behind a computer monitor, but thanks for your faith, Izzy.”
