Page 56 of Forbidden Desires

“I’m s-sorry?” I stutter out. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to,” I lie, trying to cover our tracks. This is bad. Really fucking bad.

“I’ve just come from my office. I’m not judging you. It wouldn’t be the first time a couple got carried away in these offices. Brody is a rich, powerful man. I’m sure it would be easy to get swept away in the fantasy of who he is.”

I blink back at him, shocked that he is being so brazen. “Honestly, Victor, you have the wrong idea. Nothing is going on,” I lie, aware that I don’t sound as convincing as I would like.

He smirks, a nasty glint in his eyes. “Your secret is safe with me. I’m glad he has someone to keep him company; running a place like this can be lonely. I only hope you don’t get too attached to him. Men like Brody don’t mess around with one girl for long. I should know, I watched his father go from one affair to another for years.” He takes my hand and strokes it, his eyes finding mine. My heart races in panic, his words making me so uncomfortable. “He really is the spitting image of his father in so many ways, and when you’re married to your work, things happen. I like you, Gisele, I wouldn’t want you to be caught up in another Alexander scandal,” he says like he has only my best interests at heart.

Goosebumps scatter up my arms with the words he’s implying. I want to fight for Brody’s reputation and show Victor that he is nothing like his father, but it’s impossible to do without implicating both of us. Even though I don’t want them to, his words crawl under my skin. Brody’s not his father. Victor is just messing with me because he’s a disgusting man with his own agenda, I tell myself.

“Gisele, you ready to take off?” Noah’s voice comes from behind me.

I spin around, thankful for his interruption. I just want to get out of here. How much of that did he hear? “Yes, let me just get my bag.”

“Have a nice night, dear,” Victor calls as I walk away from him. I head into the kitchen and grab my bag then meet Noah, who’s leaning against the wall talking on his phone.

“Yeah, watch him. Gotta go.” He disconnects the call and smiles at me. It’s a genuine smile. We have gotten to know each other a little over the last month, and I like him. He’s funny and loyal to his friends, enjoying being back in his hometown. I don’t know how he’s coping with both living and working in this place, it would drive me nuts, but I guess he’s just here to help out his friend for now, so staying at the hotel makes sense.

We walk in silence to my car, and when I hop in, I turn back to him. “Noah. Was that Brody you were talking to?”

He nods. “It was.”

“Can you get in my car for a second?” I ask him, needing to talk in private. I know Brody trusts him, so I’m sure I can too.

He looks over his shoulder, then comes around to the passenger side and closes the door.

“He can’t trust Victor. He’s up to something,” I whisper, feeling the tremble in my voice. He’s shaken me up. I feel sick to the stomach after that conversation with him. I don’t know what his agenda is, but I’m shaken to the core.

He looks me over, and I see the worry in his eyes. “What did I just walk in on?”

“He was accusing me of… of doing stuff with Brody. He said he was in his office just now and heard us. I tried to play it off like nothing's going on, but…”

“But we both know there is, and now you're worried he does as well.”

“Yeah.” I sigh, not sure what to do. “Something not right with him. About a month ago I had a similar chat with him. There was a strange message left on my desk with a rose, and I thought maybe he did it. I don’t know, Emerson said she would sort it out and nothing ever came of it, but he creeps me out. Especially when he corners me at this time of night and says stuff like, ‘Your secret is safe with me. I’m glad he has someone to keep him company; running a place like this can be lonely.’”A shiver runs over me.I'm grossed out right now.

“I heard some of what he said.”

“It’s not in my head, is it? Something odd is going on with him.”

“Yeah, I’m with you. I’ll monitor him.”

“Thank you. Sorry to bring you into it.”

“It’s my job, Gisele.” He looks me over. “Just so you know, though, Brody’s not his dad. I know what Victor was trying to imply, but he’s not. He won't get sick of you and move on. He’s got it bad for you, you don’t have to worry.”

“I know. It’s just hard when it’s all hush, hush. I just wish we could be like a normal couple. I really like him, Noah. I hate lying about it and sneaking round, especially on Emerson. She would hate me if she ever found out.”

“I’ll have a little chat with Victor, make sure he knows it’s in his best interest not to say anything. And don’t worry about Emerson. She’s a cool chick, she’ll understand. Maybe you two should talk to her.”

“I would like to, but the contract. We can’t.”

He nods and exits my car. "In order to keep Brody updated, I think it's important to tell him about the note. There is too much going on around here."

“Okay. I guess you’re right.”

He closes the door, offering a wave, leaving me with a heavy feeling. Guilt eats at me. I don’t like sneaking around. Sure, itcan be fun, but the reality of it might just be too much. I have a sinking feeling it’s not going to matter what Noah says to Victor; he’s going to run straight to Lana with what he knows, and the Alexanders are going to lose everything because of me.

Chapter 27

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