“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“No, it doesn’t, but I’ll have Brock and Lewis bring me to you when I’m done and we can go get something to eat.”

“I think that’s a great idea. Are you still okay with Brock and Lewis going with you?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I think Dominic might have skipped town.”

“The fucker still owes me money, but losing the money is worth it if it means he stays away from you.”

“Everything will be fine. Now go, before you’re late. I’ll see you tonight.”

Ashton gave me more than a quick peck to remember him by before leaving for the restaurant. I threw the last few pieces into my bag and headed out.

When we arrived at the theater, I told Brock and Lewis they didn’t need to sit through both performances today. I’d be back stage with security. They could come back around nine, which should be a little after intermission.

“Only if you’re sure,” Brock said.

“I’m positive. Brock, you’ve been here so much, you know this show as well as I do. I’m safe here, take a break.”

He watched me for a second then nodded. “Okay. We’re going to grab something to eat down the street. We’ll come back every so often to check on you.”

“Okay.” I smiled.

I wasn’t trying to get rid of him—he could have stayed if he really wanted to, but this was the first time he’d have to sit through the show twice on the same day. I just couldn’t do that to him. With all of the security in place to keep out the crazies I was fine, as long as I stayed back stage.

That was the thing with having two shows: there wasn’t any time to get bored. Between sound checks and costume changes, lunch breaks, and shows, the day passed quickly.

The final performance over, I was in my room, changing to meet Ashton for dinner. Brock had already stopped inside and I’d told him I’d be a few. He searched the place, then told me he’d be in the car waiting. It had been our routine for the last few weeks, ever since Ashton had been arrested. Brock still scared me to a certain degree, but I was beginning to see flashes of the real him, and we’d built a good routine. He was a good guy, and I was pleased I had him around to keep an eye on me.

Stepping through the door, the crisp night air wrapped around me cooling my skin. Across the lot sat the Bentley. Everyone else was still inside, having a drink, celebrating the show, but I’d made my excuses, wanting to get to Ashton. It was weirder than I’d thought to not have him watch the show, and I was anxious to get to him.

Two steps toward the car a hand gripped my arm pulling me to a stop. A shudder raced down my spine when the voice spoke next to my ear.

“My dumb little wife thinks she’s moved onto bigger and better things, does she?” Dominic’s voice slithered across my senses.

“Get your hands off me.”

“Fuck that. You’re coming home with me, where you belong.”

I attempted to jerk my arm out of his grasp. My gaze darted to the car and I realized that he’d pulled me out of their line of sight. Eventually they would come looking for me, but it was still early. I was going to have to deal with Dominic on my own.

“I don’t belong anywhere near you. You want a slave you can emotionally destroy, not a wife.”

“A wife is supposed to serve her husband in every way.”

When he moved his head, I noticed the crazy glint to his eyes. He’d always been cruel to me, but now he looked as if he’d completely lost it. I clenched my fists to keep him from seeing my hands tremble.

“No, marriage is supposed to be a partnership. Ashton has shown me exactly how I deserve to be treated and it’s nothing like the way you tortured me.”

He growled, slapped me across the face hard enough to bring tears to my eyes and slammed me against the wall of the building. Pain reverberated down my back. With both of his hands holding my upper arms, I used the self-defense training Ashton insisted I learn, and drove my knee up into his groin as hard as I possibly could. He let go of me instantly to cup his crotch.

Run, Elena. Run!

Seeing a clear path, I started to run toward the car. Halfway there I was thrown to the ground by Dominic’s weight. Spinning my body, I threw him off but I wasn’t fast enough and he jumped to his feet, coming toward me, pulling a pistol out of the back of his pants.

“Now, you’re going to come with me quietly, or I’m going to turn this gun on the goons in the car.”

There was only one way this could end.

Throwing out my leg, I was able to knock him to the ground. The clang of metal against the concrete drew my attention to the gun that had slipped from his grip. Scrambling forward, I tried to get to the gun first. The second my hand slid around the barrel, I rolled, and pointed the gun at Dominic.

I pulled the trigger and the sound echoed through the lot.

Footsteps pounded across the pavement toward me as Dominic’s eyes met mine, his hands covering the hole in his stomach. He dropped to his knees.

There was blood.

A lot of it.

Everywhere.

“Elena,” Brock shouted, grabbing Dominic’s shirt and pushing him away from me.

Lewis pulled his phone out of his pocket, calling first the police then Ashton. Brock sat next to me, taking the gun from my hand. “Are you okay, Elena?”

The sight of Dominic’s body, oozing life, held me immobile.

“Physically she’s fine.” Their voices sounded like they were coming down a tunnel. “Yeah, I’m not sure she’ll answer. She seems to be in shock. Of course I called the fucking police. No reason for us to clean up this mess. She was defending herself. Hold on.”

A phone was pushed into my hand and raised to my ear.

“Elena?”

I couldn’t speak. My voice was trapped.

“She’s listening,” a male voice called out. “Just talk to her.”

“Elena, babe, please listen to me. I’m on my way.” Horns blared in the background. “I know you didn’t want to hurt him, but he left you no choice.

Sirens came closer and closer.

“Elena, please talk to me. I love you. Please.”

Something in Ashton’s pleading tone snapped me out of it. “Ashton?” I whispered.

“Yeah, baby, it’s good to hear your voice. I’ll be there soon. Are you okay?”

Flashing lights surrounded us.

“The police are here.” My tone was flat, unfeeling.

“Elena, please keep talking to me. Just listen to my voice.”

Police were everywhere, yelling for us to put our hands in the air. I didn’t want to lose my connection to Ashton, but I had no choice. I dropped the phone to the asphalt and held up my hands, palms out.

After determining we weren’t armed, the officers separated us. They took me to a medic, who looked me over as they began to question me about what happened.

“Elena,” Ashton called from behind the police tape.

They wouldn’t let him through. Didn’t they understand that I needed him? Ignoring the officer talking to me, I spun and ran toward Ashton. The second his arms wrapped around me I lost it, heavy sobs ripping from my body as I collapsed against him. Eventually they let Ashton through when they realized it would be the only way to get me to finish answering questions.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard Brock and Lewis apologize to Ashton. I continued to answer questions. My whole body was functioning on autopilot. It was so bad, I barely noticed Ashton leading me to his car and helping me inside.

The entire drive home, I stared out the window. Dominic’s lifeless body wouldn’t leave my thoughts.

We pulled up outside the house and Ashton left the car at the curb, lifting me and carrying me through the front door. He set me down in the kitchen, getting a cloth and wiping at my skin, checking me over. I wasn’t even sure where I was hurt at that point.

His fingers brushed over my cheek and I flinched. His hands were shaking. He clenched his fists.