Chapter 45 45
Jason's Pov
One step forward, two steps back was what summed up my relationship with Maisie.
I had thought we were making real progress. Considering how easily she’d shut me out yesterday, that wasn’t the case.
I'm the type of man to hold a grudge but not over Maisie. Especially not her. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake off all my hurt. There was nothing more upsetting than considering someone to be special to you only to realize they didn’t feel the same way about you.
“That’s none of your business!”
It wasn’t like I’d asked her to spill her deepest, darkest secrets. Who was the fucker that had the audacity to even text her? I should kill him with my bare hands.
I sliced through my potato with more force than necessary and realized my appetite had been ruined.
Fuck this.
I pushed back my chair and cleared my throat. “I just remembered I have a lot of things to do at the office.”
Confusion pulled Xavier’s brows together. “So soon?”
“Yeah.” I replied, stretching my hand towards a maid that passed me my briefcase.
“Sure. I'll join you.” Xavier moved to push back his chair but I shook my head.
“Nah. You're good. It's just paperwork anyways.” I smiled as I reached Maisie's side to play the role of the ever loving fiance.
When I leaned in to kiss her cheek, I noticed her gaze was on her phone. Why wasn't she looking at me?!
I narrowed my eyes and saw it was that person texting her again. The fucker’s name was Tyler. Well, well, well… How would you like to die, Tyler?
I left the pack mansion but I didn't drive to work. I lingered in the garden until I heard Maisie's car drive off, then I got into mine and followed her. It's what every good man does to protect his woman. Besides, I wanted to get a good look at this Tyler. Something tells me he works at MW Corp.
I arrived at MW Corp 20 minutes after Maisie did so it wouldn't seem like I was following her and yes, she didn't notice me driving behind her.
After making sure my car was carefully parked in the lot, I made my way to the elevator. The second I arrived, I went straight to her office. I'd barely gotten to the door when I smelled her perfume and every hair on my body prickled with awareness. I didn’t have to see Maisie to feel her. She dominated every room he walked into.
Don’t look, don’t look—
I looked.
Sure enough but there she was, striding across the hall like a Luna to her throne wearing a powerful white suit.
“Slacking off?” She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s still business hours and you should be at work.”
They were the first words I’d spoken to her since breakfast, and I would be lying if I said they didn’t give me a heady rush.
Her steps slowed until she came to a halt in front of me. “I knew you were following me.”
I feigned confusion. “Me?”
“Yes. I saw you through the rearview mirror. You weren't that smooth, slacker.” She smiled. It was enough to make me want to steal her smile and keep it to myself forever.
“Chloe!” A masculine voice pulled me out of my thoughts and drew my attention to the man standing a few feet away from us.
My hand tightened in a fist as an icy black wave of possessiveness rippled through me. Whoever the guy was, I wanted to fucking kill him.
“Oh. Tyler…” Maisie's voice trailed off.
The dude, whoever he is, wasn't getting the memo or reading the room for that matter. All his attention was on Maisie and I hated it.
“Hi, Chloe.” He caught his breath as he reached us. Then he turned to face me.
He looked like one of those gym bros who think they're got it all figured out because they've worked out some biceps. His slicked black hair waved all kinds of red flags and don'tget me started on that smile. It was as annoying as it was blinding. The punk wore black tailored slacks over a white long sleeved shirt he folded at his elbow. I noticed the tattoos and nearly scoffed. It was barely impressive. So this was the Tyler who kept texting Maisie? He looked like a twat.
“Hey, I'm Tyler.” He extended his hand towards me.
I looked at Maisie as if to say “What the heck is he doing?”
She gave me a light nudge and I gritted my teeth before I moved in to shake his hand. I deliberately squeezed in too hard and he winced when I pulled away.
“Woah. You have a strong grip there.” He laughed nervously.
“So I've been told.” I smiled and pulled Maisie to my side, waiting for her to introduce us.
“Um… Tyler, this is Jason,” Maisie began, gesturing to me as she introduced us. “Jason, meet Tyler, one of our company's software engineers.”
I blinked. That's it?
She avoided my gaze and I pinched her waist. The woman didn't even flinch.
“So um… Jason, how do you know Chloe?” Tyler asked.
“It's Miss Chloe.” I corrected him.
“What?” His brows pinched in confusion.
“Calling her by her given name is inappropriate. Did you now know that?” I raised a brow.
“Um…” Tyler cleared his throat. “Oh, I did. I do… sorry. Um… how do you two know each other again?”
I smirked at his question. “I'm glad you asked. Maisie is my fiancee.”
Tyler's face went ten shades paler. He looked between me and Maisie and it looked like all came back to him. He looked at me this time and his jaws dropped.
“You're… you're Beta Jason!” He said in alarm.
“I am.”
“I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you on time. Um… this is awkward. I think I have some unfinished work in my office so I'll head to it.” He nodded before turning the other way he came.
“Now, look, you've scared him away.” Maisie pinched the skin between her brows.
“He's lucky he gets to live through this one.” I laughed.
“Hey!” Maisie swatted her arm on my chest before she huffed and walked into her office.
“Chloe, wait!” I called after her playfully but she shut the door.
“Go away, Jason!” She yelled back but I could hear the smile in her voice. It was like she'd been liberated from the thing bothering her. And for no reason, I was glad to be glad of service.