Page 22 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

I'm about to fight back, to demand explanations and proof of authenticity, when one of the other executives gasps audibly. "Wait, this dinner would have been from a year ago. Grayson always said he paid for these things with his own money. He used the company's art fund? What a scumbag!"

"I didn't!" The words tear from my throat, desperation and fury making my voice crack. "I've never even been to that restaurant!"

Gerald just shakes his head, his expression morphing into one of pity. "It's all there in the papers, Grayson. You can't deny that. And I wanted to bring it to everyone's attention immediately before we're out more money. Your spending is out of control."

Luther leans forward, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "How exactly did you come by this information?"

"One of your employees, actually," Gerald replies smoothly. "They're a good soul and sent me an email when one of the payments I made for the ads bounced. It seems that your mate has been skimming for quite a while."

Luther's jaw tightens, and I can see him processing this information with the same growing suspicion that's building in my own chest. Someone inside the company is feeding false information to our investors, trying to destroy me professionally and personally.

Luther reaches out and gently pats my arm to keep me from fighting back further, his calm only serving to infuriate me.

In the long run, I know that he’s making the right decision but that doesn’t make it any easier to stand here and have my reputation trashed.

Luther lets out a heavy sigh as he pushes to his feet.

"Thank you, Gerard. Let me at least have the decency to walk my mate out, and then I'll continue this meeting. "

The room falls silent as Luther’s hand finds the small of my back and guides me toward the door.

The walk to the parking lot feels endless, every step echoing in my head as my world crumbles around me.

Luther presses his car keys into my hands, his touch gentle despite the formal distance he maintained in the boardroom.

"You have to believe me," I say, my voice breaking as I meet his eyes. "I didn't do any of those things. I wouldn't steal from the company, from Blake's company."

Luther steps closer, his hands framing my face as he forces me to keep his gaze.

"Grayson, look at me. I love you and I know you.

I know you wouldn't do this, but I also know that someone doesn't want us to thrive.

" His thumbs brush across my cheekbones, grounding me in his touch.

"Go home. Relax. Tell Maceo to hold you, and then we'll talk when I get back. "

"But..." I start to protest, but Luther silences me with a kiss.

I relax into him despite everything, my body responding to his Alpha presence even as my mind races with panic and confusion. When he pulls back, his fingers thread through my hair before running across the bond mark across my shoulder.

"I've got this," he states. "Maceo has all the financials from the company. No doubt your access has been revoked, but he'll be able to compare everything and see what really happened." His expression hardens as he continues. "I'm going to go back upstairs and figure out exactly what's going on."

I nod numbly, unable to trust my voice as I climb into his car.

The drive home passes in a blur of rage and disbelief, my hands shaking on the steering wheel as I replay the meeting over and over in my mind.

There’s no fucking reason it should have been that easy for them to push me out and yet, all it took was a few well-placed documents for our most important investor to believe it.

I barely make it through the front door before Maceo is pulling me into his arms as I fall apart against his chest. "I didn't do it," I say, the words muffled against his shirt.

No doubt Luther called him and debriefed him on what happened and I instantly love having another mate to anchor me in moments like this.

"I know you didn't," Maceo responds immediately.

"You're an honorable Alpha. You're also rich all on your own.

Someone is trying to push you out, but I've got documents with time stamps that prove otherwise.

" His arms tighten around me as he continues.

"It might take a little bit for the investors to catch on, but that's a problem for later.

Right now, you and I are going to have a bath. "

I let out a shaky sigh, allowing him to guide me toward the main level bathroom just feet away from where our mates are sleeping. The domestic intimacy of having Maceo undress me, his gentle hands helping me out of my clothes, makes some of the tension leave my shoulders.

The fabric falls to the floor in nearly silent clumps, Maceo pushing me toward the tub of warm water, not saying a word as I sink into the thick fragrance of lavender and eucalyptus.

Maceo climbs in behind me and then pulls me back against his chest, my body fitting perfectly against his as his arms wrap around me.

The bond we share pulses between us, carrying his strength and certainty into the spaces where my own confidence has been shattered.

"How did you know this would work?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Maceo's lips press against his mark, a shudder running down my spine.

"The same way you knew I needed to talk to Luther yesterday.

You said you liked being held, and I can feel you now, remember?

We're bonded." His arms tighten around me as he continues.

"That spike of fear and uncertainty came through our connection the moment it happened.

Luther also warned me that you might need a little reassurance.

Regardless of what comes next, you have all of us. And your mates own the company."

I laugh, but the sound comes out hollow and bitter.

"For now, maybe. But if they can fabricate evidence this convincing, what's to stop them from going after Blake next?

Or Luther?" Maceo is quiet for a moment, his hands moving in slow, soothing circles across my chest. "I'm just so mad," I continue, my voice growing stronger as anger replaces the fear.

"It was so abrupt. No warning, no chance to defend myself.

Just accusations and demands for my immediate removal. "

"With everything going on, I have a suspicion it has to do with the buyer," Maceo says quietly. "It just doesn't make sense otherwise. The timing is too convenient. The problem is that we have no idea who the buyer is."

I twist in his arms to look at him, noting the tension around his eyes. "What did you learn from Kai yesterday?"

Maceo's expression grows darker. "Nothing good. Hearthstone is covering everything up, but they're throwing a party in the next day or two as a way to say thank you to the community. He gave us their invites so that maybe we can get some answers."

"Why does it feel like you're not happy about that?" I ask, sensing the reluctance in his voice.

"Because Kai let Ward know, and Ward couldn't do anything about it," Maceo explains. "Someone else at the precinct is wrapped up in all this. It'll be hard finding out who."

I twist back around and lean my head back against Maceo’s chest, deciding to soak up the warmth he’s providing instead of worrying about anything else. Luther said he got it. Maceo’s got me right now. Everything else can wait.