Chapter 44: Claire’s POV
I awoke after a much needed rest in Leo’s arms. I look up to see that he is already awake. He had stayed with me the entire night. I had almost expected Charlotte to call him beckoning him back to her and away from me.
“I should get ready to head to my suite. I still have a few blueprints that need to be finished today.”
“Okay. I’ll have my driver bring some things for me to change and we’ll head to your suite. No sense in going alone.” He says as he pulls on his shirt.
I nod. As much as I had wanted to decline, I knew that him escorting me was a safer approach to me calling for a cab.
I get dressed and head to the kitchen to see Jasmine just getting off the phone and turning to me with a smile.
“Hey, just got the report from last night and surveillance didn’t have any issues or intruders. How did you sleep?”
“I slept okay. I just have to get some blueprints done. Leo is getting ready so he can accompany me to my suite.” I say as I make him a cup of coffee.
“That’s nice of him. If you need anything, I’m pretty much done with my fabric selections so I’m free for the next few days.” She says with a smile.
“Thanks. I think I might have the next few days off too. I just have to finish these last few –” I stop talking by as I hear my phone ringing. I pull it out of my bag to see it’s a collect call number. Maybe it was my confirmation of deliveries?
“Hello?”
“This is a collect call from an inmate. To accept this call, please press 5.” I press 5 on my phone against my better judgement and wait to see who is on the other line.
“Claire? Claire, it’s Matthew. Something’s happened.” I hear Matthew on the other line and stops. I feel the room warping around me as I listen to his voice.
my heart
“Matthew? Why are you in jail? Are you okay?”
“Claire, you’ve gotta listen to me. I don’t have much time on here. Someone set me up. They’re saying they found narcotics and heavy drugs in my apartment! I promise I didn’t do this. I got a job. I have a girlfriend. You know this wasn’t me.” I hear him tremble as he rambles on.
“What?! How is that possible?” I say in shock.
“I don’t know. Please Claire, talk to Leo. Find out if he can get me a lawyer.. I gotta go. I love you.”
Just as I say his name, the line cuts off.
“Matthew –“Just as I
I see Leo appear in the doorway of the kitchen and his eyes go wide as he sees the color drain from my face and Jasmine hurrying to my side to hold me up as my knees buckle.
“Claire, who was that? What’s happened?”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 44: Claire’s POV
I stare at the floor as I hold onto Jasmines arm that is embraced around my own.
“Matthew has been arrested.”
“For what? Gambling isn’t illegal.” He says as he takes out his phone.
“Narcotics and drug possession. He says he didn’t do this.” I look up at Leo as he looks sternly at me.
“Matthew isn’t an addict, Claire. We’ll figure this out. Come on.” He helps me up and leads me to the front door.
“Where are we going?” I ask in confusion as I follow his lead.
“We’re going to see Matthew. I need the full story if we’re going to set this right.”
We get into the town car and Leo instructs the driver towards the county jail where my brother was being held.
