Page 22 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

"And Mateo?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Like I said, he sounded more positive during our call this morning. He knows it's unlikely you'd know how to disguise transaction dates." Diego laughs. "Hell, I had to get Gerard to explain offshore accounts to me. Give it more time, okay?"

I nod, pouring yet another cup of coffee. Lately, I was going through several pots a day as I pored over my accounts and hounded my accountant with questions, trying to understand the situation. Diego's right, though—I don't understand this stuff. My accounts have always been simple and transparent, with my accountant handling anything more complicated than day-to-day transactions.

"You know," Diego starts, "training for the tournament would help take your mind off things. Blow off some steam."

I sigh. Part of me thinks he's right, and I should get some exercise. My wolf has been stressed after staying cooped up on the property for so long. However much work there is to occupy me here, it's not the same as running across our pack lands or spending time with my fellow wolves.

"I'm not training with the team. Not until there's more news from Gerard. I don't want to say something I'll regret to anyone," I say honestly. "I could do with a run, though. I could do with getting out."

"Done." Diego grins. "Go get ready, and we'll head out. See if you can still keep up after hanging out here all week. You can tell me about that girl you've been seen with, too."

I don't miss Diego's smirk as I head upstairs to get changed. We have a well-worn route that sees us jog in our human forms out to the hills, where I have an old shack on the far edge of the forestry land. We change there and run as wolves right up into the mountains. Again, Diego’s right. Running in the woods is probably just what I need.

I knock on Saffy's door. "Come in," she calls.

"I'm heading out for a run with Diego. You okay here?"

She looks up, and the dejected look on her face pierces me like a knife to the heart. “Is this going to stop, Zack? Be honest with me."

I sit on the bed, careful not to scatter all her college notes and books. "Yes, of course it is. Diego was actually a lot more positive after you left. It's going to be okay, Saf. I promise."

"You shouldn't promise things you can't control, Zack," she says.

"I can guarantee this, Saf, because I'm not going to stop until my name is cleared. So itwillhappen," I say with conviction, and her expression softens.

"You shouldn't have to fight this so hard,” she mutters. “People around here should know it wasn't you. They're your friends."

I groan. "There's a lot ofevidence,Saf. I'm not sure I wouldn't wonder if someone else was in my position. Especially with our parents."

"Bullshit," Saffy cries. "We're nothing like them. If people don't already know that, then screw them."

"Give them and us more time, Saffy, okay?" I stand and put my hand on her shoulder. "It's going to be fine. Do you want me to stay?"

"No, you need to get out of here,” she says with a little laugh. "Diego's right to drag you out."

"Strange to hear you both in agreement for once," I say with a laugh, kissing the top of her head before heading back down to Diego, who's waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

We head down the long trail that leads away from my property. The track crisscrosses one of the main roads into town, and we begin to jog at a pace that allows us to talk. Diego tries to drill me about Tanya, but I infuriate him by giving as little information as possible. Deep down, I'm not sure how she feels about us, and I'm not ready to pour out my heart to Diego before I'm certain myself.

"Really? That's all I'm getting?" Diego laughs as we let a few cars pass us.

One of the drivers stops alongside us, lowers the window, and talks to Diego about the construction work at the stadium. He asks about the stadium’s date of completion. As I'm the one supplying the timber, I answer his question, but he doesn't even look at me.

What the hell?

I feel Diego bristle. "Todd, if you're not interested in being civil, you can get lost," he snaps, causing the man to flinch.

"Come on, Diego, we're talking about the stadiumhe'sstealing the funds for." Todd jerks his head toward me.

"There is an investigation, but it's becoming more and more clear it's not what it looks like, Todd. Don't jump to fucking conclusions," Diego grits out.

"But you will punish whoever's responsible, yeah? Whoever it is?" he asks, looking at me for the first time.

"Get out of here, Todd," Diego tells him and strides away.

I follow him, grateful for his stance on the situation but also fighting the urge to go back there and smash Todd's face in. As if reading my mind, Diego slaps me on the back. "When this is done, I'll make him fucking apologize to you in front of the whole pack. For now, keep your head."

---