Page 76 of Marrying Hope

Zach takes a deep breath before his head jerks toward Hank, who has been lifted off the ground by one of the security guys. “Who is this fucker?”

“Hank. He’s the manager,” I reply carefully.

“Who is the owner?”

I shake my head. We have never met anyone other than Hank.

“Does anyone know who the fucking owner is?” my husband roars toward my coworkers, who furiously shake their heads.

Clutching me tight to his chest, he takes out his phone. “Keith, who the fuck owns Cakes for All?”

“Really?” Zach’s eyebrows furrow and there’s a moment of silence before he adds, “No, all is under control.”

He ends the call and nods to the security. “Bring this fucker and follow me.”

He leads me out of the bakery and into his car. I’m about to tell him that my things, including my bag and wallet, are still inside when he shouts into the mouthpiece of his phone before throwing it across the dashboard, “William, can you pick up Ray from school? Hope and I have some business to attend to.” Zach steers the car before I even have a chance to put on my seat belt and I slide in my seat.

“Can you put the fucking seat belt on?”

With trembling fingers, I pull the seat belt, but with my emotions being on overdrive, I can’t get it into the buckle. Zach does it for me, surprisingly gently, and finally brings the car onto the main street.

“You’re angry,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice calm and not agitate him more.

“I’m beyond angry.” His knuckles turn white on the wheel.

“Why?”

“Why she asks.” He throws his head back and laughs an acerbic laugh. “An asshole touched my wife. He was firsthand molesting you. And you never fucking told me about it.”

“He has never touched me like that before,” I whisper, hoping my words will calm some of the raging storm inside him.

“But he has touched you.” Zach gives me a pointed look, and tongue-tied, I cower back in my seat.

We stop outside a high-rise building. My husband storms past the reception toward the elevator and presses the call button. I notice our security along with Hank as Zach steps inside an elevator car. When they try to enter, Zach shakes his head. They will be taking the next car it seems.

As soon as we step out, a slim blonde dressed in a gray pantsuit rushes to us. “Mr. Teager, what a surprise? Our reception called that you were here.” Her eyebrows squish together as she scrolls on her tablet. “I don’t see you on Mr. Durant’s calendar.” Her gaze then slides to my arm where Zach’s hand is gripping me tight.

When I try to take a step back, his gaze shoots at me and he asks, “What now?”

I don’t know why but his annoyed face has never looked more beautiful. My hands itch to tuck back the strand of hair that has fallen on his forehead. I motion toward his grasp, indicating he should let me go in public, but he turns toward the pantsuit lady.

“She’s my wife. Don’t you see the ring?”

I must be having a crazy fit, because instead of feeling irritated, my lips curl a bit at his choice of words.

I’m still trying to get ahold of my feelings when Zach starts marching in the direction of some offices. “Where is Cole Durant? I want to see himnow.”

“Mr. Teager, Mr. Durant is in a meeting. Please wait—” She starts to follow my husband when the next elevator door opens. Zach turns around, taking me with him as our security steps out holding Hank close. “Oh my! He’s bleeding.”

“He is. The more you make us wait, the more he bleeds before he can see a doctor,” Zach snaps.

I feel for the poor lady as she indecisively looks between my husband and Hank. “Follow me.”

She knocks softly on a closed meeting room door, but before anyone can answer, Zach walks past her, holding me close.

“What the hell?” A man, who looks the same age as my husband with a voice that has a bit of a French accent, gets up from his seat.

I briefly look around the swanky office before Zach snarls, “Cole Durant.”

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