Page 21 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

“I do. And you can make it up to me with a coffee.”

I nod and step aside as he walks into the cabin.

This place was practically his second home as he spent months helping me build the frame and make the place habitable. He can, and often does, make his own damn coffee. But I indulge him rather than being an even bigger ass. I pour us coffee from the fresh pot and take a seat across from him on the kitchen island. I don't want to talk, but I know he will say whatever he's come to say.

"You need to get out and about, Zack," he sighs, putting the coffee down. "You know, hiding away doesn't exactly make you look more innocent."

My eyes burn with indignation as I stare at him. "So, you're doubting me now?"

He raises his hand. "God, no. Never. I'm just saying you need to get back out there and show everyone you're not hiding. The sports tou—"

"I don't give a damn about the tournament or what anyone thinks," I bark, slamming my fist onto the table.

"No?" Diego chuckles. "Yeah, you seem completely unbothered."

I shake my head. "You know what I mean. I need news, Diego. I need to know what's happening."

Diego stands and wanders over to the window, taking his coffee with him. "There is a bit of news," he starts but pauses as Saffy walks into the kitchen.

"What's the news?" she asks, and I wonder how much of our conversation she's heard so far. Diego looks at me, and I nod before he continues.

"Hey, Saf," he says in greeting. She nods, clearly wanting him to continue, "Sadly, some more money left the charity account yesterday. Personally, I think it's crazy not to move it, but Gerard says it's our only way of tracing who's behind it and hopefully getting it back."

"Well, that's not good news," Saffy groans.

"No. No, it is, right?" I say, looking at Diego and feeling hope begin to rise within me, "I gave up all my access to the accounts, so they must know it's not me now."

Diego doesn't look quite as enthusiastic. "Yes and no." Seeing Saffy's face drop, he walks over and puts a tentative hand on her shoulder. "Thisisgood for Zack. I spoke to Mateo this morning, and he's much more open to the fact it's not Zack."

"I don't get it,” Saffy says, frowning. “Why doesn't this clear Zack completely? It can't be him if he didn’t have access to the accounts."

"The transaction codes are weird, so they could, in theory, have been set up before Zack gave up his access," Diego explains.

"So, let me get this straight,” I say, exasperated. “Even though I have no access, people will still say it's me."

"The money went into another account with your name on it,” Diego says quietly. “Some offshore thing."

"I don't have an offshore account!” I yell, now outraged. “I wouldn't even know how to set one up, for god's sake."

"I know, I know," Diego says, trying to calm me. "You don't need to tell me, Zack. Look, this is good news. Gerard has put in some kind of pin or code or something so any new transactions will show a date stamp."

Saffy looks at me with tears in her eyes. "So if no more money is stolen, everyone’s still going to think that it's Zack? That it’s us?"

I step toward her, but she backs away, grabbing her bag from the sofa. "I'm going to go study," she says.

I want to stop her and tell her it's all going to be fine, but I’m at a loss for words. I nod, but she's already turned her back to us and fled the room.

I face away from Diego as I regain my composure. I pride myself on giving Saffy the calm and happy childhood my parents denied her for so many years. Never in my wildest dreams did I see something like this happening.

"How's she doing?" Diego asks. He knows better than anyone what a difficult start Saffy had in life and how much I want to protect her.

"How do you think?" I mutter. "In some ways, she's more exposed than I am. I don't want her to fall behind in her studies, not when she's finally getting out there. She doesn't say much, but I know there have been comments."

"Kids are the worst," Diego sighs. "You know how folks are, they love to gossip. Even when they don't mean it."

"They fucking mean it, Diego," I snarl. "They think I'm stealing from the pack. People I've known all my life, they think I'm just like my—"

"Your parents?" Diego scoffs. "No, they don't. Honestly, Zack, they haven't turned as much as you think. They're concerned and asking questions, yes. But they don’t want it to be you.”

---