Chasing Kade (Thrill of the Chase Book 1)

by Anna Paige

  I wanted to call out after her but I was suddenly afraid of getting her—us—busted. Instead, I picked up my phone and activated the mute function, my heart hammering in my chest.

  Nina was so quiet, soft-spoken. Trish treated her like shit, even more so than the rest of us because Nina was so shy. I tried to talk to her whenever I could. Ask how she was doing or bring her a snack from the break room that she never got to frequent with Hurricane Trish constantly breathing down her neck. I guess those small acts of friendship had left an impression if she was risking Trish’s wrath to clue me into whatever was happening.

  The sound of heels on the hall floor came through the speakers and stopped as Trish made it into her carpeted office. “Ninny, let Miles know I’ll see him now then run down to the lobby and grab me a latte,” she barked as I heard her professionally sculpted ass hit her leather chair, the rollers clacking as she drew herself closer to the desk.

  Would she see the light on the phone and realize something was up? Hopefully, not. The sound of various items being shuffled around the desk was so loud I had to adjust my volume and a moment later Nina poked her head into the room, probably to keep from using the intercom.

  “Miles is on his way in. Is there anything else I can get for you before I go?” She sounded nervous, but then she always did. By product of working for a viper.

  “No. Just try not to screw up my coffee. Remember, extra hot with a double cup.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Nina muttered.

  I knew she’d left for the lobby when Trish snorted in disgust and muttered, “Stupid cow. She’ll get it wrong.”

  God, I wanted to choke that woman.

  A moment later, I heard her draw in a long breath and ask, “You wanted to see me, sir?” The way she drawled the sir indicated how little respect she actually had for my mentor, who had apparently arrived.

  “Did you get her last message?” Miles asked, cutting through the bullshit and not rising to the bait in her snarky tone.

  “I got them all, actually. But I assume you mean the one where she says she’s coming home and handing the job over to me.”

  Why was he talking to her about me instead of calling me back? He hated her. And shouldn’t he be showing at least some concern for me?

  “Will sending you to fill in for her shut you up for a while, or are you determined?” He asked tiredly. I frowned at the display on my car stereo as it ticked off the passing seconds, wondering what the hell was going on.

  She laughed, low and aggressive, like a predator toying with its prey. “Do I look stupid to you? Why would I trade a shot at running this division for a bunch of bed-hopping musicians? I’ve got you by the balls, and that’s a lot more fun than a quick romp on a stinking tour bus, assuming any of them are even worth screwing.”

  “It’s all your word against mine. No one will side with you, and you know it. I’m the one everyone looks up to around here, the mentor, the confidant. What have you been aside from a total bitch and a nuisance?”

  “You didn’t think I was such a nuisance when you had me bent over this desk, did you?” She goaded as my stomach began to turn.

  Oh, God. He didn’t.

  I grabbed my phone and hit the voice note icon, hoping it would record during a call even as I fought the urge to hang up and wretch out my car window. When the counter began to move, I breathed out a sigh of relief. Whatever they were discussing, I was going to need proof. I could feel it in my gut.

  “That was a one-time mistake, a lapse in judgment.”

  She scoffed. “And the best fuck you’ve had in years, old man. Let’s not kid ourselves.”

  “Not by a long shot, but whatever you need to believe to get you through the night.” His voice was cold, dispassionate, nothing like the Miles I knew. “How about we get back on topic? Her leaving doesn’t prove that she slept with one of them. It only proves that she’s angry that the press release was attributed to her and she’s looking for your head on a platter.”

  “Don’t be so smug, Miles. It won’t take her long to figure out that you’re the one who wrote it. And she might even be smart enough to figure out why, much as I hate to give her that kind of credit. It’s not like you haven’t made it obvious with your ‘make me proud’ line of bullshit. You were guilting her from the beginning, a clear violation of the spirit of our bet, by the way.”

  Bet?

  “And you calling and encouraging her to fuck the bassist wasn’t underhanded as hell?”

  What the fuck were they talking about? This couldn’t be happening. They were discussing me like I was a pawn in some twisted game of chess, which wasn’t surprising for Trish but Miles…

  “I was just hedging my bets. You struck first, playing to her daddy issues, making it so she would feel guilty for even thinking of giving in to one of them. I knew what you were up to, you ignorant old fool. You’re not the only one who can spy around here.”

  “I never went so far as to tell her not to bed one of them, whereas you practically dared her to do just that.”

  “Well, if you were so worried she’d fuck the clients, you should never have made the bet in the first place.”

  “You didn’t give me much choice, you goddamn barracuda,” he ground out. “And I still may have won this, so don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched. She may not have gotten that far with Kade yet.”

  “Oh, please.” Her tone was condescending. “You want me gone just as bad as I want you gone. When I suggested our little wager, you jumped at the chance to prove your little pet was a better woman than me. And news flash, old man, she’s been fucking that singer for a while now, and we both know it. I’m shocked she had the nerve to tackle that one, to be honest. I hear he has quite the package, but she did it nonetheless. My sources on the crew have assured me they are a couple, or they were until you pulled your little press release stunt. That release was another complete breach of the terms, by the way, though I must admit I’m impressed at your investigative skills in finding that little tidbit to exploit.”

  Sources? She was having me followed, spied on? Shit. Was that how they knew about Denson?

  “And I managed it without the help of low-rent snitches,” he preened, loving having outsmarted her. “The part time roadies you planted aren’t really members of the crew, by the way, just glorified luggage carriers whose names no one of real importance cares to ask for, much less remember. But it’s adorable how you like to skew everything to make yourself sound more connected than you really are.”

  Trish made an odd and unattractive sounding noise but no formal comment.

  “As for the detective work,” Miles continued, “all I did was check her work calendar and note the mention of Milly’s Mountain as one of the charities to benefit from the bus auction she’s planning.” Shit, I’d added the auction without thinking that Miles had access to my calendar. Not that there had been any reason to worry about him, at least not that I’d known of. “Actually, it was the only charity specifically mentioned, which made me wonder. When I remembered you telling me they were in Virginia on personal business, I got a hunch and called the retreat. The receptionist was so damn excited about the concert, I barely had to identify myself and mention Aubrey’s name before she spilled all the juicy details. She even assured me that everyone was keeping it hush hush per the band’s instructions. Once I knew it was supposed to stay under wraps, I had a way to alienate her from them, assuring that not a single one would be interested in getting into her pants.”

  “But one already did.” Trish sounded unaffected.

  “That’s your theory, based on hearsay and conjecture. I plan to wait to hear it from her.”

  She snorted unattractively. “Like she’d tell you if she did? Moron.”

  “You’re forgetting just how powerful my hold over her is. She thinks of me like a father; I’ve made sure of that. When I ask her for the truth, she’ll give it to me because she respects me too much to lie to my face. She has more integrity than
that, which was the reason I agreed to the bet in the first place. She’s too innocent—too naive—to be like us. And that’s how I’ll win this bet. You’ll have to give up your position here, with my favorable recommendation to garner a position elsewhere as stipulated, and never again speak of what happened between us.”

  “You’re just as gullible as she is if you think for one minute she hasn’t given it up to that whoremongering singer,” Trish sneered. “When I win, and we both know I basically already have, you’ll resign, giving your position to me as promised, or I’ll shout from the rooftops how you made me fuck you to keep my job. I’ll even describe in detail that little birthmark you have near your cock, proof positive that I’m not lying. You’ll be labeled a letch and run out of town, and I’ll still end up with your job.”

  “I hate you, you disgusting bitch. Aubrey will win this for me, and when she does, you’ll be out on your tight little ass, and she’ll be rewarded by replacing you, a job that should have been hers in the first damn place.” He was talking about me like I was a racehorse who was about to earn a carrot for my efforts.

  “Somehow, I doubt she’ll want it, but feel free to keep your hopes up.”

  His voice was farther away, harder to hear. “Time will tell. But I’d start packing my shit if I were you. And Trish, don’t forget your broomstick.”

  The sound of a door slamming made me jump, and a moment later I was treated to the sounds of Trish storming out as well, apparently too angry to wait around for Nina and her latte.

  Seething, I ended the call and threw the car into gear, speeding out of the parking lot as I saved the voice note, heading back the way I came.

  •••

  Calling Kade didn’t seem like the best option, at least not yet, so I called Kane instead. He answered on the second ring, and when I blurted everything I’d just heard, he was speechless. I told him I was coming back, but I didn’t want to tell Kade anything over the phone. I asked that he leave word that I was cleared to be there—either backstage or the bus, I wasn’t sure just yet—before the band went on stage, since I’d left my recently-procured pass behind.

  He promised he would and went silent for a long moment.

  “Kane? You there?” I checked that the call was still connected.

  “I’m here.” His voice was filled with emotion. “And I’m so goddamn sorry I doubted you. You were a victim in all this, just like we were, and we turned on you.”

  “You didn’t. You might have had doubts, but you never completely believed I was guilty.”

  “I shouldn’t have had doubts. You said you didn’t do it, and I should have taken your word for it.”

  I smiled a little through my tears. “You were my friend even when you weren’t sure. That counts more than if you’d stood by me blindly.”

  “I could have done better. I will do better from now on, I promise.” He cleared his throat, shifting topics. “So, are you okay? I mean, I know you were close to Miles. This has to be a huge blow.”

  I thought about it for a minute, hating that it kind of was. “Yeah, but I’ll get over it. I’d choose losing him over losing the five of you any day, so I’m almost glad he turned out to be a traitor. It’s easier to let go of someone like that. When I thought I had to let go of all of you—especially your brother—I thought I wouldn’t survive it.”

  “We all felt that way, my bull-headed brother most of all.”

  Remembering that flash of blond hair as I drove away that afternoon, I pressed down on the accelerator, needing to get to them—to Kade—faster. Nothing would be fast enough to suit me, though. I wanted to be there right that second. “I’ll be there in a few hours. Don’t forget to leave a pass for me. If a guard grabs me this time, I’m handing him his nuts.”

  He laughed, sounding so much like his brother. “I’ll be sure you’re covered. You just be careful driving back. Don’t push too hard. If you aren’t here by the time the concert ends, I’ll stall. So back the speed down to a moderate level and breathe.” It was like he was looking over my shoulder, the concerned friend being the voice of reason. I let the digital speedometer drop back to read only ten miles over the limit, knowing I needed to listen to his warning.

  I liked him in this protective friend role, needed it more than I realized, especially now that I’d lost one of the only friends I had in the world. Well, I’d thought Miles was a friend. Clearly, he never really was.

  Kane continued, his voice steady and sincere. “We’re gonna fix this rift between you and the rest of the guys—my brother included—then we’re gonna take care of Trish and Miles. And we’ll do it as a family, because that’s what you are. You’re one of us, and no one fucks with the TotC family. No one.”

  •••

  Kade

  “Hey, Mom. Sorry I haven’t called in a while. Things have been… well…” I ran a hand over my hair, feeling like I should straighten my appearance, though she couldn’t see me through the phone. I probably looked like I’d been through the seven levels of hell—felt like it, too—so her not being able to see me was a good thing.

  “Doesn’t matter. We’re talking now.” She interrupted my awkward attempt to explain why I was a shitty son who didn’t call enough. “How are you? Are you and your brother eating right? Sleeping enough?”

  Despite the gaping hole in my chest where my heart used to reside, I smiled at her barrage of questions. They were the same ones she asked every time either of us called home. It was funny and comforting in equal amounts. “We’re eating as well as we can on tour, sleeping as well as we can on a bus, and counting the days until we see your sweet face again.” I gave her my standard answer.

  “You’re so full of shit it’s a miracle your eyes aren’t brown.” She chuckled. “But thanks for lying to me so I can sleep at night.”

  “Anytime, Mom.”

  There was a stretch of quiet while I decided how much I wanted to say.

  “Son?”

  I still had no good way to start the conversation so I faltered. “I, uh…”

  “What’s her name?” There was humor in her voice.

  “Who?” I blinked, wondering how the hell she knew.

  “The girl who has you all tied in knots, of course. Don’t be coy with me, Kade. I’ve heard pretty much everything over the years and seen way more than any mother should have to.” I knew she meant the picture. “But I’ve always been proud that you two could be so open with me, even when I would have preferred the lies.” She snorted softly. “If you’re having a hard time getting the words out, it has to be a girl. And not just any girl either, or you wouldn’t bother to mention her at all, so spit it out.”

  And just like that, the whole story came tumbling out—well, minus the bedroom portions, she was my mom after all. When I finished, she was quiet, and that made me kind of antsy.

  “Mom?”

  She shushed me softly. “Shut up and give me a minute to process.”

  I did as she asked, but Jesus, it was like torture.

  Finally, after leaving me to twist in the wind for a good five minutes, she pulled in a big breath and said, “Kade, one of the things I love most about you is that you’re a very decisive person. There’s no middle ground with you—you’re all in or all out, simple as that. And that’s good in a lot of ways, honey. It makes you strong and confident, someone who does what he says and knows where he stands on everything. You know exactly who you are, and you don’t give a shit what anyone thinks, even if it means standing on your own a lot of the time. That kind of strength is a blessing, usually. But when you’re dealing with emotions, it’s all pretty much gray area—no black and white.”

  She clucked her tongue thoughtfully. “If Aubrey were just some PR girl who went behind your back and did that press release, you wouldn’t think twice about cutting her loose, right?”

  I frowned, not following her train of thought. “Yeah, so?”

  “If it was me or Kane who wrote it, would you cut us loose?”

&n
bsp; “Mom, how would you or Kane…?”

  “Don’t ask questions, just answer me. If your brother or I screwed up, betrayed you somehow—maybe even unintentionally—would you cut us out of your life?”

  “Of course not.” She was being ridiculous.

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” I was starting to regret this phone call.

  “Why wouldn’t you walk away, cut all ties with us and never look back?”

  “Because you’re my family, and I love you, you crazy woman. What the hell does any of this have to do with…?”

  “And you love Aubrey.”

  “I never said that, but even if I did love her, she’s not family.”

  “And that’s what makes it a gray area, Kade. She’s not someone you’ve built a lifetime bond with like Ethan, Lennox, and Jared—who you do think of as family—but being late to the party isn’t a good enough reason not to be allowed in. Just because she wasn’t there in the beginning doesn’t mean she couldn’t be the one to ride this out until the end.”

  “Do you seriously think I should just forget what she did?” I flopped down on the couch, too mentally exhausted to pace anymore.

  “No. I’m saying that you should forgive what she did because from what you said, if she did it at all, she did it thinking she was helping you. She didn’t set out to hurt you. From the sounds of it, she’s just as in love as you are, so why would she maliciously do something like this? Where there’s no ill intent, there’s room for forgiveness. Trust me, son, if I thought this girl was deliberately trying to hurt you, I’d be singing a different tune. But I think we both know that’s not what she did.”

  There was a tremble in her voice when she spoke again, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat. “Some things should never be forgiven, ever, but what’s happened between you and Aubrey isn’t one of those instances. This wouldn’t be eating you up so much if you didn’t love her. Now, all you have to do is figure out if you love her enough to forgive her imperfections.”