The CEO’s Hamster

Ten

Chapter 10 — Jamal

Victoria

The red light beneath my desk had stopped blinking. But I couldn't stop seeing it.

Someone had been watching me. Inside my own office.

I stood behind Lorenzo, staring at the tiny device in the security officer's evidence bag.

"How long has it been there?" I asked.

The security chief shook his head.

"We don't know yet.

"

My expression hardened.

"Find out.

"

"Yes, Ms. Hayes.

"

The officers carefully removed the device. Lorenzo remained beside me. Too close.

Protective. Silent.

I glanced at him.

"You're doing it again.

"

"Doing what?"

"Looking at me like you're waiting for me to break.

"

His expression softened.

"I don't think you will.

"

"Good.

"

"But I also don't think you should have to face this alone. Isabella is my mess. I'm not going

to let you clean it up by yourself.

"

I looked away. Those words shouldn't have affected me. They did.

My phone rang. Jamal. I answered.

"What's wrong?"

"That's what I was about to ask you,

" Jamal said.

"Your assistant just called me.

"

I frowned.

"My assistant called you?"

"Yes. Apparently your office has become the set of a psychological thriller.

"

I sighed.

"Jamal—

"

"Don't 'Jamal' me. I'm coming over.

"

"No.

"

"Too late.

"

He hung up. Lorenzo raised an eyebrow.

"Your friend?"

"My best friend.

"

"Jamal?"

I nodded.

"I've heard quite a lot about him.

"

I looked at him suspiciously.

"From whom?"

"Matteo.

"

I sighed.

"Of course.

"

Twenty minutes later, the elevator doors opened. Jamal Carter stepped out wearing a

cream designer jacket, black trousers, sunglasses, and an expression that suggested he

was prepared to personally fight whoever had invaded

He spotted me. Then Lorenzo. Then the security officers. He removed his sunglasses.

"Oh.

"

I sighed.

"Don't.

"

Jamal pointed at Lorenzo.

"So this is him.

"

Lorenzo smiled politely.

"Lorenzo Valentieri.

"

Jamal walked over and shook his hand.

"Jamal Carter. Best friend. Emergency contact.

Occasional therapist. Full-time nuisance.

"

I folded my arms.

"Accurate.

"

Jamal looked at Lorenzo.

"You're taller than I expected.

"

Lorenzo chuckled.

"So I've been told.

"

"And richer.

"

I groaned.

"Jamal.

"

"What? I'm observing.

"

Lorenzo smiled.

"I like him.

"

"Don't encourage him.

"

Jamal looked between us. Then his expression became serious.

"Okay. What happened?"

I explained everything. The stranger. Daniel Cross. Isabella. The messages. The

photograph. And finally, the hidden camera.

Jamal's face lost all humor.

"Someone was watching you from inside this office? Because

of a woman who can't accept a breakup?"

"Yes.

"

He looked around.

"And nobody knows exactly where she is, or what she'll do next?"

"Not yet.

"

Jamal walked closer to me.

"You're staying with me tonight.

"

"I can take care of myself.

"

"I know.

" His voice softened.

"But you don't have to prove it every second.

"

I looked at him. Jamal had known me for years. He knew exactly when I was frightened,

even when I refused to admit it. He reached for my hand.

"Come on.

"

I nodded. Before we could leave, Lorenzo spoke.

"I'll have security escort you.

"

I turned.

"I don't need an escort.

"

"I know.

"

"Then stop saying it.

"

He stepped closer.

"I'll feel better knowing you're safe.

"

I stared at him.

"You're becoming very difficult to ignore.

"

His lips curved.

"Good.

"

Jamal looked between us.

"Oh, this is going to be interesting.

"

I glared at him.

"Not one word.

"

"Didn't say anything.

"

"You were about to.

"

"I absolutely was.

"

I shook my head. For the first time that day, I smiled. Lorenzo watched me. And something

in his expression made my heart skip. He looked happy simply because I had smiled. I

quickly looked away.

Later that evening, I sat on Jamal's sofa with a cup of tea between my hands. Jamal sat

opposite me.

"You like him.

"

I nearly choked.

"I do not.

"

"You're a terrible liar.

"

"I am an excellent liar.

"

"Not with me.

"

I looked down at my tea. Jamal's voice softened.

"Victoria, you don't have to be afraid of

caring about someone.

"

I swallowed.

"I don't know how to do this.

"

"Do what?"

"Let someone close. Especially now, with some woman out there who thinks loving him

gives her the right to terrorize whoever stands near him.

"

Jamal's smile faded, just slightly.

"Then let him help you deal with her, instead of carrying it

alone.

"

My phone suddenly buzzed. Unknown number. I opened the message. My blood ran cold.

It was a photograph. I was sitting on Jamal's sofa. Taken from outside the apartment. The

message underneath contained only six words:

YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO DANIEL.

Jamal noticed my expression.

"What is it?"

I slowly turned the phone toward him. His face changed.

"Victoria…

"

Another message appeared. HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO CHOOSE ME. YOU'RE JUST

THE GIRL HE FEELS SORRY FOR.

My phone slipped slightly in my hand. Then came a third message.

ASK LORENZO WHAT HE PROMISED ME BEFORE HE EVER FOUND YOU AGAIN.

I stared at the screen. For the first time, the messages weren't vague threats wrapped in

someone else's history. They were a woman's voice — raw, certain, and furious — telling

me exactly who she believed she still was to him.

I looked at Jamal.

"I need to talk to Lorenzo. Tonight.

"

Jamal didn't argue this time. Outside the apartment window, a dark car sat across the

street. Its headlights suddenly came on. And inside the car, someone lifted a phone and

took another photograph.

This time, I wasn't afraid of what I didn't know. I was afraid of what I was about to find out.

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