There are a dozen videos and just as many emails. The recipients are different, but I recognize a name here and there.
“Open the one that says Axel G. That’s Andy’s ex’s name…” Charlie says, his expressive eyes slanted and hard.
I click on the video and press play. A lithe man not unlike him is led into a room where three big guys are playing cards.
“That’s Axel,” Charlie says as I study the skimpy outfit of the blond man. It’s a mesh top and see-through harem pants. I can spy his dick, so it doesn’t seem like he’s wearing any underwear.
“Get on the table and dance for us, baby,” someone says from behind the camera, his hand groping the guy’s ass.
“Andy, I’m not sure about recording this. If something like this falls into the wrong hands, my dad—”
“C’mon, babe. Do it for me. I promise you have nothing to worry about.”
“I know, but still. His company—”
“Axel,” Andy grates, annoyance dripping from his voice. “Do as I say. You know I hate it when you oppose me.” He fumbles with the camera, the video shaking. “Here. I’ve turned it off. Now go and shake your ass for us, love.”
Wearing the most uncomfortable expression I’ve seen a man make, Axel tries once more to convince Andy to call the orgy off, but the asshole is unrelenting. We skim through the rest of the video. He recorded the entire thing. I also realize that I know who Axel is.
Lips curled and nose scrunched, Charlie stiffens a little next to me. “Open the Axel G email.”
I already have a suspicion about what’s on it. Axel is the son of Bernard Grig, the CEO and lead designer for Grig Fashion. So when the nasty blackmail fills up the screen, I am not surprised. Andy is a real asshole, and he’s forced the Grig Fashion Group to be his sponsor.
“Oh my god, this is disgusting,” Trish gasps, looking as dejected as I feel.
“Piece of shit. I can’t believe he put his hands on Charlie,” Ethan growls, murder in his eyes.
I have a sudden itch to find the asshole and bury him six feet under. But that won’t do anyone any good and would land me in jail. I clench my fists. This here is how we end him, even if it won’t give me the satisfaction of physically hurting him.
We go through the rest of the files. They are similar in nature, some pettier than others. Axel’s case is probably the worst one, but that doesn’t mean that Andy hasn’t caused just as much harm to the rest of his unfortunate victims.
“This ends now. That asshole is going to jail,” Charlie professes and shoves me to the side.
His nimble fingers dance across the keyboard without him even looking at it. It’s mesmerizing. With a flourish, he presses the enter key and the ping confirming an email has been sent chimes. He grabs his phone then, dials someone and puts the call on speakers.
“Hey, Charlie. You finally had enough of playing hard to get?” the sleazy voice from the videos says, sending my blood into a frenzy.
I see red. I want to punch Andy. I shoot up, panting and clenching my hands, but Charlie pulls me back down on the couch with a scowl.
“Stay calm,” he mouths, then turns his eyes back to the phone. “Yes. I’d like to talk about us. I’m lonely.”
Andy purrs on the other end, clearly satisfied. “I knew you would be, love. You’re nothing without me. I know how hard you’ve had it since we broke up. But it’s fine, I forgive you.”
“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Charlie says, a vein twitching on the side of his jaw. “Come see me? I’ll be at the Pothole in two hours.”
“I’ll be there. Make sure you have the key to the bathrooms. I can’t wait to feel just how lonely you were.”
The few seconds it takes for the call to end are excruciating. I feel like I’m going to lose my shit. How dare that bastard speak to Charlie like this? And Charlie? My alpha nerdy adorkable cutie? God, he handled this so fucking well. Better than me. I’m so proud of him.
“You are amazing, you know that?” I blurt out, cradling his face. “You are the kindest and funniest and strongest person I know, and you deserve only the very best. That asshole should’ve never put his dirty hands on you.”
He smiles, the fondness in it a balm to my agitated heart. “I know. I’m a real catch. Andthat asshole”—he tilts his head at the two uniformed officers who walk into the café, and waves them over—“is about to get what he deserves.”
Chapter 11
Charlie
The police officers sitat a nearby table along with the rest, Ben in charge of showing them the evidence I already sent. They’ve taken off their uniform jackets and kind of blend in with the visitors if you don’t pay attention. I didn’t expect the authorities would react so fast, but the hacker provided everything I’d need so that asshole Andy can be outright arrested.
