Page 62 of The Leader

Oscar’s ride was a rental, because apparently his Bentley was in the garage, as he assured them. She wasn’t sure yet how she felt about him. Though he did seem exactly Gina’s type; dropping hints at how much he owned every few sentences.

Fifteen minutes into their ride, Oscar made a turn downtown. “That’s not the way to my home,” Jazzy said.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” Oscar apologized, taking a look in the back mirror, probably to make sure if her bodyguard was able to keep up with him. “I just assumed that you would want to celebrate with your husband as well. That’s why I’m driving to Detta Tower. Do you want me to turn around?”

Actually, surprising Gio didn’t seem like a bad idea at all. “No, it’s fine. You can drop me off there.” When he pulled over in front of Detta Tower, she thanked him before she stepped out.

She ignored Gina’s glare. Obviously, her cousin didn’t like her boyfriend giving Jazzy any attention, even if it were only out of politeness.

She took the elevator up to Gio’s floor, while trying to coordinate her thoughts. He deserved to know that she loved him. She had a slight buzz going, which hadn’t disappeared by the time she exited the elevator. It was late at night; the whole floor was empty. Even Gio’s assistant Gale, who was like part of the furniture, was nowhere to be seen.

When she glanced inside the small opening to Gio’s office, her buzz disappeared instantly. And just like that, her heart exploded into a million pieces of shrapnel.

She spun around and ran back into the elevator, which was still there. She tried to avoid the mirrors that were mocking her for being so gullible. For trusting him. For…loving him.

It wasn’t Vanessa she had found naked in his room, waiting for him. No, it had been Lisa, and somehow, that was even worse. That moment at their wedding, when he’d sided with her in throwing Lisa out, had been a ruse. The moment she had decided to take as the foundation to their marriage had been a sham. And that, she could never forgive. It was like being stabbed in the back and punched in the gut at the same time.

Unsure of what to do when she left the building, she looked around in the cold night. She spotted her bodyguard in his car. No. The last thing she needed was him giving his boss a call about her being upset. Because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep the tears at bay.

She was done. This time, when she disappeared, it was going to be for good. But first, she had to get rid of her security detail. She started walking, up until she saw her bodyguard leave his car, to follow her on foot. The second he crossed the street, she ducked into an alley and ran. She ran until her feet hurt, until the pain in her lungs was almost as bad as the one in her heart.

The call from her bodyguard came within less than a minute. She pressed it away.

The next call was from her husband. She decided to pick up because he deserved to be told what an unfaithful asshole he was.

“Gio,” she answered, trying to put as much venom in his name as possible. Unfortunately, the catch in her voice screwed that up.

“You’ve ducked your bodyguard. What’s going on, Jocelyn?”

He sounded worried. Well, he never needed to worry about her again.

“I left him behind. Just as I’m leaving you.”

Silence. Then, “You are what?”

“You heard me. I. Am. Leaving. You.”

More silence, and she could just imagine his jaws grinding, trying to remain his cool and collected self.

“Is there”—a chill crept into his voice—“someone else?”

“Excuse me?!” No longer able to control her anger and hurt, she cursed. “I’m leaving your ass because you cheated on me, you asshole. I saw her in your office. Naked as the day she was born.”

Was that a sigh of relief she heard? Was he for real?

“Listen to me,bella. That wasn’t what it looked like. Come back and—”

Wasn’t what it looked like? As if she didn’t know what that meant.

“No! You listen tome. We always knew this was going to end someday. You…you got control over my grandfather’s company. You don’t need me anymore. I won’t file for divorce until we’re married for two years. But we’re through. Please, Gio.” She closed her eyes for a second. “You…broke my heart. At least have the decency to let me lick my wounds in peace.”

With that, she ended the call and turned off her phone. When she rounded another corner, a car stopped next to her. Afraid that Gio had somehow found her, she was ready to bolt when she recognized it was Oscar’s.

The car door flew open and she looked at Gina’s frown. “What are you doing outside in the cold? Didn’t we just drop you off at your office?”

“I…” Jazzy looked around in the busy street, feeling hunted, and made a split-second decision to step inside the car. “Please drive.”

Gina looked baffled. “Drive where?”

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