The promise in his voice sends heat spiraling through me. I take a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles fizz on my tongue, and decide that whatever this is between us—this intense, unexpected connection—I’m all in.
“I can’t wait,” I whisper, and the smile he gives me is worth a thousand unanswered calls.
CHAPTER 13
AXEL
Itap my fingers impatiently on my desk, watching Alek through the glass wall of my office. He’s been on the phone for twenty minutes, nodding and making notes. When he finally hangs up, I wave him in.
“About time,” I say as he enters, carrying a slim manila folder. “Is that it?”
Alek drops into the chair across from me. “You know, most people use our security firm for actual security purposes, not to investigate their girlfriend’s exes.”
“She’s not—” I stop myself. What exactly is Della to me? After our weekend at the lake house, we’ve spent nearly every night together. But we haven’t put labels on anything yet. “Just give me what you found.”
Alek slides the folder across my desk with a knowing smirk. "It’s all there. Though I’m not sure why you need this. She’s clearly chosen you.”
I flip open the dossier on Jared Walker and scan the first page. My blood begins to boil immediately. “Thispiece of shit lived in her brownstone for four years without paying rent?"
“Rent, utilities, food—he contributed nothing.” Alek leans back in his chair. “According to her friends, he was ‘focusing on building his career.’" The air quotes are audible in his tone.
“Which went nowhere,” I mutter, turning the page. The folder crinkles in my tightening grip as I read about Jared’s spending habits—expensive trips, nights out with his friends, all on Della’s dime while she worked sixty-hour weeks building her business.
“The infidelity started about six months in,” Alek continues, his voice clinically detached. “At least three women we could confirm, possibly more.”
The paper wrinkles beneath my fingers. “She supported this asshole while he fucked around behind her back?"
“She didn’t know. Not until near the end." Alek’s expression softens slightly. “From what I gathered, she was too busy working to notice the signs.”
I read through the rest of the report, my jaw clenching tighter with each revelation. The time Jared “borrowed” money from Della’s business account. The weekend he disappeared with another woman, while Della was visiting her sick mother. The emotional manipulation, the gaslighting, the way he’d made her feel inadequate despite her incredible success.
“Where is he now?” I ask, my voice dangerously quiet.
“Still crashing at his friend Henry’s place. Apparently, he’s been there since Della kicked him out three months ago.” Alek studies me carefully. “What are you planning, Axel?”
I close the folder and stand up. "I’m taking the rest of the day off."
“Axel—”
“I’m not going to do anything stupid,” I say, grabbing my jacket. “I just want to have a conversation with him.”
Alek sighs. “At least take this.” He pulls a small recording device from his pocket. “If things get heated, you’ll want proof of what was said.”
I pocket the device with a nod of thanks. “Hold my calls.”
The drive to Henry’s apartment takes twenty minutes. I spend every second of it thinking about Della—how her eyes light up when she laughs, how she curls against me in sleep, how she deserves so much better than what Jared gave her. By the time I park outside the shabby apartment complex, my anger has crystallized into something cold and precise.
I find the right unit and knock firmly. The door opens to reveal a skinny guy with glasses who takes one look at me and steps back in alarm.
“You must be Henry,” I say, my voice pleasant enough that he relaxes slightly.
“Yeah, and you are...?”
Axel Warner. I’m here to see Jared.”
Recognition flashes across Henry’s face. "You’re Della’s new guy. Jared showed me a photo from her social media.”
Before I can respond, Jared appears behind him. He’s shorter than I expected, with that carefully disheveled look that takes actual effort to achieve. His eyes narrow when he sees me.
