Chapter 64 Consuming Rage
THEODORE
Who the fuck was that guy and why did he have his hand on her fucking shoulder for so long?
Carl and Victor were discussing the details of the business deal but it was all just a way of keeping me up to date on what they'd already agreed on. Should I have been paying attention? Yes. But goddamn that guy. And fuck Todd, that shit-stirrer.
More importantly, fuck me.
Why was I so possessive of her when I'd decided to let her go in the first place?
It made no sense. For the past several weeks, I pushed the matter to the back of my mind, refusing to think about it for too long. All my efforts leaped out the fucking window as soon as I saw her seated at Todd's table with that guy. That fuck.
I was so pissed off that I didn't trust myself to speak. If Carl asked me something right now, I'd bark in response. I'd give this table a kick strong enough to send Victor Fiorenzi crashing backward, chair and all, and then I'd walk up to Alice, but not before dealing with the fuck who had his hand on her shoulder.
Closing my eyes, I forced myself to take deep, gulping breaths. It was starting again, thank God for that. This feeling was strong enough to swallow me whole and send me down a path from which there was no return.
The same one that ended in me scaring her away.
I reminded myself that I was an engaged man. I let her go and she was free to do whatever she wanted. Alice Rhodes didn't owe me an ounce of loyalty. But it was easier for me to think that way because I assumed I would never see her again.
It was easier for me to be at peace with the decision I made when she wasn't standing in front of me with another man touching her.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Todd and the fuck stand up. They shook hands and Todd stayed behind while the man left. I had an opportunity to stay put and forget what I saw. Alice left a long time ago. Billions were being discussed at the moment, and if I didn't offer any input, it would appear strange.
I didn't fucking care, though. As soon as Todd stood, I excused myself. Both men looked at me like I escaped from a madhouse or something, but I didn't have time to worry about that.
Todd was on his way to the exit and I had to find out what she was doing with him.
Was Todd after her? Fuck, the thought made me dizzy.
He better not.
"Todd."
He turned around and pasted a smile on his face. Fucking punk. If he knew how badly I wanted to punch him, he wouldn't be smiling. "Theo, the man of the hour. What can I do for you? Oh, I should mention that I was offended you didn't invite me to your engagement. Had to hear about it in the news like everyone else."
I forced myself to give him a calm and reasonable answer. "Her family handled the invitations. I didn't even have access to the guest list."
He punched my shoulder playfully. "You were just there, huh?"
I forced a laugh. It was the most painful shit I'd had to do in a long time. "So, what were you doing here?"
He was still grinning. Motherfucker. "Oh, you know. Business."
Dryly, I asked, "Yeah? What kind?"
His grin widened. "Why don't you just ask me what you want to know? You know, Theo, you keep forgetting that I know you, even when we're not close anymore. Ask away. Do you want to know if there's something between us? Is she...God, is she cheating on you?"
I clenched my jaw the whole time he spoke. "What was she doing here?"
His brows shot up. "I'm surprised by your question."
I forced through my teeth, "Why's that?"
Todd shrugged. "You know, considering she's working for Francesca and all."
What?
He narrowed his eyes at me. "You didn't know? I thought you put her at Ember & Ink since your policy, you know..."
My head was fucking spinning. There was no way in hell that Granny did this. I had no idea how, but she was behind this. There was no other explanation for this shit.
I was fuming by the time I returned to the table. Carl or maybe even Victor must have sensed it because they stopped talking altogether and the table was as silent as a cemetery. I didn't care about keeping up appearances, not now that I knew that my grandmother employed the woman I'd been struggling to forget for two whole, painful months.
As soon as I was in the car, I called her. Granny was usually asleep at this time, since it was around eleven PM in London, but I tried my luck anyway.
Sure enough, she picked up the call.
"Theo," she began, sounding extra cheery, "I wasn't expecting your call at all. Is everything alright with you?"
I wasted no time. "What did you do, Granny?"
"Me?" she asked, feigning innocence. "But what are you accusing me of exactly?"
"You know what I'm talking about," I said through my teeth. "I asked you not to get involved in this! I asked you to leave this matter alone!"
"Theo. It's for the best."
I threw my head back. "How can you say that? No, it's not. I got engaged to Carmella. If Alice finds out about this, she'll hate me even more. She'll think I set her up somehow and—"
Her laughter interrupted me. I frowned, wondering if she'd gone insane. "Granny?"
"Why're you worried about her hating you more if you have nothing to do with her anymore? Allegedly, of course. Are you listening to yourself, darling?"
I groaned. "I'm ending the call now. Please excuse me so I can fix the mess you made."
She sounded worried when she asked, "Theo, what will you do?"
"The right thing."
I ended the call before she could say anything else and drove straight to her apartment. I had to get to the bottom of this tonight. I made her a promise and I intended to keep it.
Granny couldn't take that away from me. I wouldn't let her.