Page 93 of The Prize

A jolt of fear slithered up my spine and yet I refused to look around the café to search them out. If Tobias was arrested, it would be down to me to pull off this evening’s event and I wasn’t sure I had it in me.

“Tobias.” Adley used his first name as though trying to connect on a deeper level. “We must follow rules. There are ethics to consider.”

“I wanted to be here,” I piped up. “I want to restore my reputation and I knew that if I returned to London too soon I’d not be given the chance to do that.”

“We’re gathering more evidence,” said Tobias. “All of it will clear Zara’s name.”

Adley sat back. “This is quite something.”

“We’re still in town tonight,” said Abby.

Tobias realized where she was going with this. “I’m afraid the guest list for tonight is locked down.” He turned to me. “We would have loved to have you join us but we’re at full capacity in the ballroom.”

My gaze held his, realizing he’d just uninvited me.

“Zara.” Tobias reached out for my hand. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I land in London.”

“You’re leaving?” I couldn’t keep the tension from my voice.

He pushed to his feet. “Have a safe trip back to London, Ms. Leighton, it’s been a pleasure.”

My throat tightened as my brain tried to follow what was happening.

Abby rested her hand on mine. “Zara, we can fly back to London together.”

“But what about the ball?” I asked on a shaky breath.

“I’ve got it from here, Ms. Leighton.” Tobias reached for my hand and brought it to his lips. “Hopefully you’ve had fun?”

I’d either been played by Wilder or this was his way of making sure I was out of danger. Being part of anotherMona Lisabeing released into the underworld weighed heavily, but this to-and-fro, this keeping me on the outside hurt more than my fear of scandal.

“If you’ll excuse me—” Tobias shook Adley’s hand “—I’ll see you back in London. Have a safe flight back.”

“Tobias?” I peered up at him.

“I have an appointment with my lawyer. This should be interesting, and by ‘interesting’ I mean it’s good to have the best representation money can buy.”

“And why would you need that?” asked Abby.

Tobias rested his hand on the back of her chair. “Because rumors spread and lies ferment and when you own a company like TechRule and rake in billions you’re vulnerable to unwanted attention—” His green gaze locked on mine. “I will call you.”

All I could manage was a nod, hoping that last comment was a secret code to reassure me things were still good between us. If it wasn’t, all that running around the city, all those nights of unbridled passion had fuddled my brain and confused me into committing the worst act of my existence.

He walked away.

Abby waved to the waiter. “Zara, let me get you some water.”

Adley headed off toward the restroom as though intuitively knowing I needed a quiet moment alone with his more rational employee who was currently staring me down.

“Will you give me a moment? I’ll be right back.” I sprang up and walked in the direction of where I’d last seen Tobias and turned the corner into another room. He was chatting with a smartly dressed man who I assumed was his attorney Reynard.

When Tobias saw me, he made his way back. “Over here.” He led me to a quiet spot before the unlit fireplace.

I searched his face for the truth. “What changed?”

“Eli Burell will be in this hotel. I don’t know when he’ll arrive. I’m not putting you in that kind of danger.”

“Are you forcing me out of this?”