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All Chapters of Secrets Behind The Mask: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

281 Chapters

Chapter Thirty-One

Red: I keep thinking about what you said. About Friday. I don't know if I can wait that long. Call me when you can. If we can't meet at least I'll get to hear your voice.Heat shot through him. He typed back quickly.Sir: I will call within the next two hours. Be ready.Nate was watching him with knowing eyes. "The mystery woman?""None of your business.""Right." Nate's smile held no humor. "At least you’re not pining for Morgan."Grayson's phone buzzed again.Red: I can't wait.His pulse kicked up. Phone sex with Red while imagining those green eyes, that red hair spread across his pillows.Wait.Green eyes. Like... Joy's.No. Joy's hair was brown. Plain, mousy brown.Grayson's thoughts stuttered to a halt.Joy's eyes were green. He'd seen them a hundred times across conference tables. Focused, analytical, occasionally flashing with irritation when he pushed too hard. But they were fiery, not sultry like Red's. Red had the look of a woman who wanted to be fucked and hard.He couldn'

Chapter Thirty-Two

Grayson settled back into his leather chair, whiskey forgotten on the side table. Red's admission, that she'd been needy during her meeting because of his texts, sent satisfaction coursing through him."Tell me about this meeting," he commanded, keeping his voice low and controlled even as his cock hardened at the thought of her squirming in some conference room. "Did you hide at the back of the room?""No." Her breath hitched. "I had to present at one point and my boss kept asking me questions.""Fuck." The word came out rough. "You stood in front of people, delivering a presentation, while thinking about me? About what I did to you on Sunday night?""Yes, Sir." The admission was barely audible. "And how your text messages were making me feel."Grayson's hand moved to his belt, undoing it with practiced ease. "Did anyone notice? Could they see how flushed you were? How your nipples were hard under your dress?" She had told him she was wearing a dress. He pictured her in red. Fitting.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Tuesday, October 10th, late eveningHoney awakened from a light pleasure induced doze, her body still humming from the intense phone call with Sir. The hotel room cocooned her in its luxurious anonymity, a perfect sanctuary for a woman caught between identities. Her personal phone chimed with a text alert, startling her from pleasant post-orgasmic thoughts.Lauren: Are you okay? Haven't heard back from youShe checked the time… 10:45 PM. She'd promised to call her friends with updates.Honey: Sorry! Moving into Dad's penthouse tomorrow. Will call you then with full details. Promise I'm safe.A response came immediately:Lauren: Better be. Maggie's threatening to perform a wellness check. We're WORRIED.Honey smiled at her friend's concern.Honey: I'm fine. Just exhausted. Will explain everything tomorrow.She set the phone down and stretched, wincing slightly as her muscles protested. The combination of stress, sex with Sir at the club, and Riley's bruising grip had left her body tend

Chapter Thirty-Four

After ending the call, Honey stood in the quiet penthouse for a moment, taking in her new temporary home. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Central Park. The space was elegant, modern.This was freedom. Real freedom. But it wasn't her place or her home. She still might sell her apartment.Her life was about to change; Riley was getting served divorce papers. But the one thing that would stay the same was her job.Her work phone buzzed… Marjorie, wondering when she'd arrive. Honey texted back a quick reply, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door.Amanda was waiting in the lobby. "Car's ready whenever you are, Ms. Johnson.""Thank you, but I can take a cab—""Your father was quite specific about security," Amanda's smile was polite but firm. "Until the divorce is finalized and Mr. Smith is no longer a concern, we'll be handling your transportation."Honey wanted to argue, to insist she could take care of herself. But the memory of Riley's rage, the destroyed apar

Chapter Thirty-Five

Wednesday, October 11th, 10:15amThe Norton integration meeting proceeded with its usual rhythm. PowerPoint slides, revenue projections, timeline discussions. Grayson ran the meeting with his characteristic efficiency, but his attention kept drifting to Joy Smith three chairs down.She looked different today. Not the clothes, she'd reverted to one of her typical ugly suits, but something in her. Maybe her husband had been a repressive shield over her happiness. Grayson knew a lot of women struggled to get away from abusive partners and often go back, thinking that's all they deserve because they are told that by the abuser. Grayson would make sure Joy had the help she needed to support leaving her husband.But right now, whatever had been weighing on her seemed lighter."Smith," he said, pulling her attention from her tablet. "Your assessment of the cash flow concerns?"She stood, moving to the presentation screen. "Based on the integration timeline, we're looking at a temporary dip d

Chapter Thirty-Six

Wednesday, October 11th, 5:47 PMHoney left work that day with her mind spinning. Katherine sent another message about thirty minutes ago saying Riley still hadn't been served yet. Sir's promise to call tonight, but first she had dinner with her friends.The elevator descended to the lobby, and Honey stepped out. She could see through the glass lobby doors, the sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows along the floor. She pulled her coat tighter before stepping outside, knowing it was going to be chilly."Honey."The voice stopped her cold.Riley emerged from behind a pillar; his face twisted with rage barely contained beneath a veneer of false calm. He'd been waiting for her. Watching. With everything else, she forgot completely about the number Amanda had given her."We need to talk," he said, moving toward her.Honey's hand dove into her purse, fingers searching for her phone, only now remembering to call Amanda, too late. "Stay away from me, Riley. The restraining order—"

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The voice cut through the alley like a whip crack, full of authority and barely restrained violence. Honey had never seen Grayson so angry before; the look of cold fury on his face was… well terrifying. She was glad it wasn't directed at her.Riley spun, his grip on Honey loosening, she pushed at the hold Riley had on her. But she was still a little dazed and didn't have enough strength to push him off."Let her go," Grayson said, his voice deadly quiet. "Now."Riley's hand fell away from Honey's wrists. She slumped against the wall, her cheek throbbing, her wrists burning and her heart was pounding out of control."This is a private matter, asshole" Riley started, but Grayson was already moving. Riley had to know who he was speaking to… and no one spoke to Grayson like that. But then again, the rage Riley was in maybe he hadn't worked it out? Honey tried to remember if Riley and Grayson had ever actually meet before. She didn't do the Christmas parties, so maybe not. Riley didn't com

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"I should go," Honey said, pulling back slightly from his touch. "I've imposed enough."Grayson didn't move immediately; his eyes still locked with hers."You're not imposing," he finally replied, his voice lower than usual. "And you shouldn't be alone right now. You have been through a huge shock.""I'm fine," she insisted, though the tremor in her hand as she reached for the ice pack belied her words.Grayson reluctantly surrendered the pack to her, then stood and moved to sit beside her on the couch, maintaining a respectful distance. "Do you want to call anyone?"Honey winced at the thought. "If I call my father and he finds out Riley hit me, he'd have him in the hospital by morning, if not the morgue." She pressed the ice more firmly against her cheek. "I'll need to tell him eventually, but not tonight.""You can use my phone," Grayson offered, pulling it from his pocket. "To call whoever you need.""Thank you." She took his phone after he unlocked it, the weight of it unfamiliar

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"I never told you this, but my father is a very wealthy man. Extremely wealthy." The admission felt strange on her tongue after years of hiding it. "I don't talk about it, so no one will link us together. It's important I make it on my own. He has already arranged security for me. I was just stupid enough to leave the building tonight without calling her."Grayson's eyes narrowed slightly, processing this new information. He thought he now knew why Gage Johnson knew Joy Smith. Her father must know Gage."When he finds out Riley hit me," she continued, "There will be hell to pay.""Who is your father?" Grayson asked.Honey hesitated. This was it, the line she'd carefully maintained for years. But after tonight, after he'd saved her from Riley's rage, after all his unexpected protectiveness, he deserved some truth."I can't tell you that. There is no need for you to know." She met his gaze steadily. "But I can tell you he's powerful enough that one phone call from him could destroy Rile

Chapter Forty

Honey stepped off the lift to find her two best friends waiting for her at the front door. She could tell Lauren had been pacing, her phone clutched to her ear, while Maggie leaned against the wall, arms crossed tightly over her chest. They both looked up at the ding of the elevator, and their expressions shifted from worry to shock."Oh my God, Honey!" Maggie rushed forward, doctor mode instantly activated as she reached for Honey's face. "What the hell happened to you?"Honey winced as Maggie's fingers hovered near her bruised cheek. "It's a long story.""No, I don't need to speak to him now, thank you," Lauren said into her phone, eyes locked on Honey's face. "She just got here." She disconnected the call and hurried over. "I was trying to get hold of your father. We've been worried sick!""Thank God you didn't get him," Honey said, relief washing through her. The last thing she needed was her father rushing over here tonight. "Let's go inside. I'll explain everything."Lauren unlo

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