The CEO and Her Driver

Chapter 47

I have been known to have a flair for the dramatic. It often makes me think of Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, when she shows up to a baby's party unannounced, bent on revenge after she isn't invited. Maleficent is kind of a dramatic fashionista in her own right, wielding a black cape, trailing smoke behind her while she moves, all while sporting a glint of vengeance in her eyes, ready to bend things to her will. 

I find it inspiring, even if that is a little messed up. But I don't think getting upset over not being invited to a baby's birthday party is cool. I do, however, appreciate going all out when you have been burned. Maleficent was the baby's aunt after all. That's how the story goes, right?

So I took a page out of Malificent's book, determined to bend things to my will... but not in an evil way. Just in a productive way. 

But that didn't stop everyone from hesitating, questioning the plan I had come up with once we knew who we were dealing with as the clock struck 2 AM on the sleep-deprived group still sitting in Katherine's living room.

"That plan could majorly backfire," Delle said, crossing her arms. "We could lose big and your reputation would be destroyed over nothing."

"But if it works—"

"We'd get it all taken care of in one swoop," Aiden agreed. "Allie has a point. Tate, you need to leak that picture and ask out Susan."

"No," Tate said, his voice like steel, refusing to bend.

"Tate..." I said, turning to look at him. "We need to catch who did this. Iz got hurt."

He stood up, angry. "I know that. But if we do it this way, it could destroy you." 

I swallowed, unable to meet his eye line. "It won't."

"You can't control that Allie. You've taken enough emotional beatings. I won't do that to you."

I stood up, sensing his frustration to my core. Understanding why he hated the idea, even if it was necessary. "Tate—"

He barreled on. "And going in there without one of us with you isn't my favorite plan either."

"Have you forgotten that your girl took down a professional boxer? I think she can take care of herself," Aiden said, offering me an encouraging nod, one I returned. 

A look of betrayal crossed Tate's features as he looked between Aiden and me. "Oh, now you two are getting along?!?" He scoffed, running his fingers through his hair, muscles taut with frustration. "You picked a terrible time to make that happen!" 

I took Tate's hands in mine, offering them a tender squeeze. "Tate. I need you to trust me."

"I do," he insisted placing his forehead against mine. "But asking me to throw you to the wolves isn't something I can do," he breathed, voice fragile.

I sighed, brushing several chocolate brown strands away from his face. "I understand." Tate's shoulders slumped with relief as Delle and Aiden groaned in unison, irritated that we would have to start over with a new plan.

I rubbed my temples, exhausted. "Can you get me a cup of coffee?" 

Tate nodded and cupped my face, thumbs grazing my cheeks. "We'll figure this out, Allie. I promise."

Delle eyed the door, before looking back at me once Tate had disappeared into the kitchen. "Okay, I know you don't actually want coffee," she said, keeping her voice low. "So why..." she trailed off when I snatched Tate's phone from the couch. 

"Don't judge me and keep a lookout," I muttered. 

Aiden snorted and moved to lean casually in the hallway, keeping an eye out. "You continue to surprise me, Winters." I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or not but didn't have time to analyze it.