Page 54 of Her Billionaire Bossholes

Jackson nods along, frowning. "Unfortunately, you're right. We can't just chase her down and let her and whoever else know that we're on to them." He pauses to look between her and I. "Is there anyone else?"

Charlie sighs again, this time plopping down on the bed between him and Leo. "I don't know. Could be anyone. We may be surrounded, for all we know."

As we all digest the gravity of the situation, I can't help but steal a glance at Charlie. Her usual vibrant energy, the fire that always burned within her eyes, seems to have been extinguished. Her shoulders sag, burdened by the weight of betrayal and uncertainty. The lines on her face have deepened, etching a weariness that was never there before. It's as if someone has stolen a part of her spirit, leaving behind a hollow shell.

I reach out and gently squeeze her hand, hoping to offer some solace in the midst of this chaos. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sorrow. I can see the questions swirling in her mind —where did it all go wrong? How did someone so trusted turn against them?And most importantly,how can I protect them from this?

But for now, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we finally step in to protect her. Even the protector, the caregiver, deserves to be protected and cared for in return.

45

CHARLIE

"It's already been a week since we found out the truth, and I feel like we've made no progress at all," I grumble out of frustration, pacing the floor of my bedroom.

Caleb sits at the edge of my bed, watching my restless behavior with a single arched brow. "C'mere, beautiful."

I give him an I'm-so-not-interested look, but he just laughs and pats the empty space beside him. I give in with a sigh, sitting next to him and letting him wrap his arms around me and pull me into his lap. He kisses my temple and I automatically relax into him.

"Have you been getting any sleep?" he wonders gently. "You can't exhaust yourself like this."

I frown at him, practically pouting. "Cal, I can't afford to waste time-"

"Sleep is not a waste of time, Charlie," he interrupts pointedly. "We need you at your best."

"But there's so much to-"

Again he cuts me off--but this time with a kiss. It's deep and passionate, but also gentle. Caring. I wrap my arms and pull him closer, earning an adorable chuckle. He pulls back and brushes the hair away from my face.

"You need to rest," he murmurs. "Lay down for a while--just a little," he adds when he sees me start to protest.

He shifts to lay me on the bed and cover me up. As he tucks me in with the softest blanket I've ever felt, I can't help but sink deeper into the mattress, enveloped by its plush embrace. The room is dimly lit, casting a warm glow that dances across the walls, creating whimsical shapes that seem to come alive. The scent of lavender lingers in the air, soothing my senses and lulling me further into relaxation.

I close my eyes and allow myself to surrender to the tranquility that surrounds me. Thoughts of unfinished tasks and looming deadlines slowly fade away, replaced by a profound calmness that settles deep within my bones. Caleb's presence beside me acts as a shield against the outside world, his steady heartbeat resonating through my body, synchronizing with its soothing rhythm.

--

I wake up to darkness.A heavy blanket of obscurity envelops the room, leaving me disoriented for a moment. Stretching my hand out to the bedside table, I fumble for my phone, searching for a sliver of light to guide me. As my fingers graze the smooth glass surface, I manage to locate the device and bring it closer to my face.

The screen illuminates, casting a pale glow that reveals the time: 3:00 AM. My heart skips a beat as I notice the notification icon blinking persistently. Curiosity consumes me as I tap on it, unlocking the device and revealing a new message from an unknown number. A chill runs down my spine as I read the threatening words that materialize before me.

Stop digging. You're only making your grave deeper.

An icy sensation grasps at my chest, constricting my breath. Panic tingles in my veins, urging me to react, to escape from the encroaching darkness that threatens to suffocate me.

I scramble up from the bed, my heart pounding in my chest, and stumble towards the door. The room feels smaller, suffocating, as if the walls are closing in on me. I need to get out, I need to find answers.

In a frantic haze, I burst through the door into the dimly lit hallway. The air is heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of my own ragged breaths. My footsteps echo against the polished marble floor as I make my way towards Jackson's room, since it's the closest to mine.

"Jackson?" I call out, knocking impatiently.

No answer.

With a racing mind and trembling hands, I continue down the hallway, searching for any familiar face or sign of life. No one is in the gym, or the pool, and the unease continues to grow and grow until I hear what sounds suspiciously like conversation coming from the kitchen.

My heart leaps with relief as I recognize the voices. I quicken my pace, my footsteps echoing through the empty corridor, until I reach the kitchen door. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I push it open and step into the room.

There they are—Jackson, Caleb, and Leo—sitting around the table, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the hanging pendant lights. Mounds of junk food rest between them, a colorful feast that includes bags of potato chips, bowls of gummy bears, and a tower of chocolate bars. The tantalizing aroma of freshly popped popcorn fills the air, mingling with the scent of their shared laughter and camaraderie.

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