Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 170

CHAPTER 102-2

“I’ve got another connection.” Mia said as I walked over.

“What?” I asked.

“The fake accounts were created using different names, but the submission times are interesting.” She said.

“How?” I asked.

“They all happened within the same few hours.” She said.

“Could that mean they’re connected?” I asked.

“Possibly.” She said as I stared at the screen.

“Can we get a location?” I asked.

“Not an exact one.” She said.

“What can you get?” I asked.

“A rough area.” She said.

She showed me and my stomach tightened.

“That’s close to Charlotte.” I said.

“How close?” Mia asked.

“Less than twenty minutes.” I said and Mia looked at me.

“Still not proof.” Mia said.

“I know.” I said as I rubbed my forehead.

I wanted to confront Charlotte. I wanted to demand answers. But Olivia’s words stayed in my head.

Don’t accuse her without proof.

I had learned enough about this situation to know that acting on emotion could get people hurt. So I forced myself to breathe.

“Save everything.” I said and Mia nodded.

“I will.” Mia said.

“And don’t tell anyone yet.” I said.

“Not even Jace?” She asked as I hesitated.

“Tell him.” I said and Mia smiled.

“I thought so.” She said.

1/4

CHAPTER 10

Lealled Jace and he answered quickly

“Hey. He said.

“Are you busy?” I asked.

“Not anymore.” He said.

“I need to tell you something.” I said and his voice changed immediately.

“What happened?” He asked.

“Mia traced the anonymous complaint.” He said.

“Did she find the person?” He, asked.

“Not exactly.” I said.

+25 Points

I explained everything. The fake accounts. The timestamps. The rough location. My suspicion about Charlotte and Jace listened without interrupting.

“Do you have proof?” He asked when I finally finished.

“No.” I said.

“Then don’t confront her.” He said and I smiled faintly.

“That’s exactly what Olivia said.” I said.

“She’s right.” He said.

“I know.” I said and he paused.

“I’m proud of you.” He said.

“For what?” I asked.

“For not acting on the first thing you thought.” He said and I smiled.

“That wasn’t easy.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“I really wanted to confront her.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“But I didn’t.” I said.

“That’s why I’m proud of you.” He said and my chest warmed.

“Thank you.” I said.

“You’re learning to think three steps ahead.” He said.

“Maybe I’m finally becoming one of you.” I said and he laughed softly.

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CHAPTER 10

“You were always one of us.” He said and I smiled.

“See you later.” I said.

“I’ll be there soon.” He said.

After the call ended, I looked around the workshop.

The day had started with accusations and it was ending with unanswered questions.

But at least we had something now. A trail. It was thin. It was incomplete. But it was there.

Mia closed the office for the night, and I helped her lock the front door.

+25 Points

We checked the windows, turned off the lights and made sure the security system was armed before leaving.

As I drove home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Charlotte.

If she was responsible, she had made a mistake.

If she wasn’t, then somebody else was manipulating the situation.

Either way, I needed to stay careful.

When I arrived at the garage, Jace was waiting and he pulled me into his arms.

“You okay?” He asked.

“I’m getting there.” I said he kissed my forehead.

“Good.” He said.

We ate dinner together, and later I showered, changed into comfortable clothes, and climbed into bed.

I lay beside him thinking about everything that had happened and eventually, exhaustion pulled me toward sleep.

Across town, Charlotte sat inside her new living room with a glass of wine in her hand.

Her phone rested on the table and a message appeared.

The article is causing exactly the reaction we wanted.

Charlotte smiled as she opened another message.

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