Brock added, “With Ashton taking the meeting tonight, it proves that they still need to pay the money back—that the police can’t do a thing to stop it.”

Before I could respond, there was a sharp knock at the door, and my heart leaped to my throat. The door opened slowly and a cart was wheeled in.

Our food.

I swallowed, trying to cover up just how scared I’d been. The memories of that first night were a bit fuzzy after Dominic left. My stomach started to rumble. I hadn’t been in the mood to eat much throughout the day. I got about two bites into my meal when another knock sounded. That one had to be the man there to meet Ashton.

Brock stood and walked over to open the door. A small, portly man with thinning black hair walked in, a book bag on his back. He was dressed like every other guy in the stadium: shorts, jersey, and sneakers. There was nothing conspicuous about him. Had I seen him in the hallway, I would never have believed he was there to pay off a loan shark.

“Anthony.”

I glanced to my left and was shocked at what I saw. The man with the smile that could melt my heart was no longer sitting next to me. In his place, was a man with a look of cold determination in his eyes.

I noticed the slight tremor to the guy’s hands. He looked at me for a second but seeing Ashton’s face he quickly averted his gaze.

“Mr. Hawes. I . . . umm . . . I have a problem.”

“And, what would that be.” Ashton’s tone was cool and clipped, not what I was used to hearing.

“I . . . uh . . . only have . . . uh . . . part of the money.” Anthony stuttered his response. Clearly he was terrified.

And I was about to see why.

“What? I don’t think I heard you right.” Ashton didn’t shout, like I expected. He didn’t even raise his voice. Instead his words were low, menacing, and it hit me that this kind of calm was a prelude to danger. Brock stood, his shoulders hunched, hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Brock made me feel safe in his presence, but I knew the man in front of me didn’t feel the same way. And rightly so. I remembered how I’d felt the first time I saw him. Brock was an imposing individual. It’d taken me months to get used to him.

It took all of my willpower not to say or do anything. Ashton and Brock had been doing this for years. Whatever their plan, I needed to watch and see it fall into place if I were to make a fair decision about this part of his life.

“Mr. Hawes—”

Ashton put his hand up and Anthony immediately closed his mouth.

“How much?”

Anthony swallowed hard. “Seventy-five thousand.”

“Twenty-five thousand short.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ashton steepled his fingers in front of his face and stared at Anthony. After a few more seconds, he finally spoke.

“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today.” Anthony bobbed his head up and down, setting the bag down while Ashton continued speaking. “Since this is the first time you’ve been short, I’m going to give you another chance. You have two weeks.” Anthony’s shoulders relaxed, but it was too soon. “But you’ll bring me forty thousand, won’t you?”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Hawes. I can do that.”

He wasted no time backing toward the door. When his hand closed over the handle, Ashton called out his final warning. “Just remember—you turn up light again, we won’t be having a discussion like this.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you Mr. Hawes.”

Ashton didn’t even take the time to watch the man leave. He simply picked up his knife and fork and resumed eating. And that’s when it hit me—Ashton was playing a part. His audience may be smaller, his stage more informal, his performance more intimate, but that’s what it was. A performance.

When the curtain went up and the spotlight was on him, he became the character he needed to be. He followed the script his father, and his father before, had written, revised, and perfected. Ashton was no different to me. And if he could accept that I changed when I was doing my job, surely I could accept the same?

I knew Ashton. He wasn’t the monster they thought he was. But if I was asked to choose, I’d want him to play his part to perfection. Because Ashton’s acting kept him safe.

The minute the door closed, Ashton became the relaxed, sweet man who’d stolen my heart. “What are you thinking about?” Ashton asked, searching my face for answers.

“I’ll tell you later.” I winked at him and watched as the tension left his shoulders and the creases around his eyes smoothed out.

“Well then, eat your dinner so we can leave. You can tell me on the ride home.”

Desire coursed through me. Like water, it found its way to every part of me, and my body thrummed with anticipation. I’d wanted dessert, but the look in Ashton’s eyes told me there would be something much more delicious at home.

So I ate my dinner.

Fast.

CHAPTER 30

Elena

We were halfway home when Ashton glanced over at me. “It’s later.”

I knew exactly what he wanted but I decided to play coy anyway. “I guess that happens when time passes.”

He chuckled. “When did you become a smartass?”

“Let’s just say I had a great teacher.” I took a deep breath, letting my voice take on a serious tone. “I did learn something about you tonight.”

His hands twisted around the steering wheel, waiting to hear what I had to say. “And that is?”

“That your clients are lucky to deal with you, instead of your brother or father.” He glanced over like he wanted to say something, but I continued before he got the chance. “Don’t get me wrong, both of them have been wonderful to me since I met them. But I know there’s no way they would have let that man out of the box without injury for not having the money. You’re willing to give people a second chance when they truly deserve one.” I reached over and covered his thigh with my hand. “It may not be the ideal situation, but I understand.”

A deep sigh escaped his lips and his grip loosened, the corners of his mouth turning up into a grin. “You make me sound like some kind of knight.”

I giggled. “A dark, sexy knight maybe.”

“You think I’m sexy?”

Déjà vu made me answer the question the same way he did what seemed like forever ago. “Fuck yes, I think you’re sexy.”

He groaned. “God, I love it when you curse at me.”

Ashton leaned on the accelerator and my back was pushed against the seat. He seemed anxious to get home; but so was I. I could only imagine what he had in store for me when we got home.

Whatever it might be, I was more than ready.



A week had passed and there was no sign of Dominic. The divorce papers had been served, and Arthur assured me that he’d already asked for a court date for a contested divorce in case Dominic refused to sign them. Either way, I didn’t have to stay married to him.

“Elena, where are you?”

“In your room.”

I was getting my things together for the day’s shows. Saturdays were hectic because there was a matinee as well as an evening performance.

“How many times do I need to remind you—this is our bedroom, not mine.”

“Sorry. I’m still trying to get used to it. It’s still a little weird for me.”

He smiled and wound his arms around my waist. “I wanted to tell you to break a leg tonight. I’m not happy I’m missing both shows.”

I still couldn’t believe he’d been to every single performance, despite being ridiculously busy with the restaurants and work for Malcolm. Somehow, he always managed to buy the same seat so I knew where to look for him. Even though I didn’t mind that he had to work, it was going to be weird looking over to see someone else in “his” seat.

“I know, but missing one isn’t a big deal. We still have five weeks of shows left. Besides, you need to deal with that wedding tonight.”