“These are legal documents signed by Judge Ritts. They state that you have no authority to detain or question Ms. Hill and any attempt to do so will result in the right of Ms. Hill to sue you for violating her rights. If you have any further questions, my attorney Hayes Milford will be happy to explain things to you, but Ms. Hill and I are leaving. Come on, Ava.”

Angelo thrust the papers at the guard and grabbed for Ava’s hand. She evaded his touch by turning back to collect her belongings from Dominic. His green eyes watched her. She had no clue what he was thinking, but she could feel the reluctance as he relinquished her things.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

He nodded and she turned away.

“Ava, wait.”

She half turned to face Dominic. Though Angelo was waiting on the dock, she knew he was watching.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I meant what I said. All of it. Think about it.”

She nodded, not sure what to say before she turned and walked down the ramp that lead to the dock. Angelo took her luggage and motioned for her to follow him. A black limo was parked less than ten feet away.

As they approached, a chauffeur exited and popped the trunk, loading her luggage. Ava gritted her teeth at the feel of Angelo’s hand on the small of her back as he opened the back door for her. Before she entered the limo, she took one last look back towards the boat. Dominic was being lead handcuffed down to a police car. She sighed and climbed into the limo. It wasn’t her problem. But somehow saying that didn’t make her feel any better.

Chapter Sixteen

As the limousine started to move, Ava tried her best to ignore the eerie silence inside the car. She could feel Angelo’s gaze on her, hot and heavy, even without looking at him.

“You want to tell me what you were doing with Joseph’s bastard?”

Ava turned and looked at her former brother-in-law. A scowl marred his features. She could see the faintest tick moving in his jaw.

“Excuse me?”

“Dominic. What was he doing on that boat with you?”

Ava folded her arms. “The more important question is how did you get here so damn fast with papers signed by a judge? I called you less than thirty minutes ago.”

Angelo gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I have contacts in many places. When you called me I was having dinner with Judge Ritts and my attorney. The judge kindly offered to use his influence as a personal favor to me. As soon as all the Is had been dotted and all the Ts crossed, I came straight here to you. The last thing I expected was to find you with that bastard.”

“I appreciate you keeping me from having to go downtown, but that doesn’t give you the right to question me. I’m not one of your lackeys, Angelo.”

His hand slid and caressed her thigh. “Ava. Ava. Why do you always have to be so combative with me? Why can’t things just be easy between us?”

“Because you don’t understand boundaries, Angelo.”

Ava gritted her teeth in an effort to fight down her rising ire as he continued softly rubbing her leg.

“And what boundaries would those be, Ava?”

“I was your brother’s wife. I am the mother of your niece. That entitles me to a certain level of respect. A level above what you would show the other women you deal with.”

“Haven’t I always treated you like the high-class girl you are?”

“No. You haven’t and I don’t appreciate it.”

Angelo’s brows drew together. “Cut the crap and tell me the truth.”

Ava tried to school her expression. “Well since we’re being so upfront and honest, no, I don’t appreciate you questioning me about him.”

“Well I don’t appreciate the way he was looking at you.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m very sane. And I know what I saw. He had your luggage and he was staring at you like a boy who’s just had his first taste of pussy.”

Ava slapped Angelo hard across the face. “I think you’ve forgotten who you’re talking to.”

The muscle in her neck was forming into a tight ball. If she’d had a gun, she would’ve likely shot Angelo. What was his problem? She didn’t have time for this.

“I like it rough, Ava. Don’t start something you’re not willing to finish.”

“Bastard.”

“No, that would be Sambarino. What happened between you two? Why was he even there in the first place?”

“He was invited. I had no clue he would be there. If I did I would not have gone.”

“You’re still dodging my question.”

“I’m not dodging anything. I just don’t have to answer.”

Ava was caught off guard when Angelo grabbed her arm, yanking her closer to him. His eyes bored into hers.

“Did you let him kiss you? Did you let him touch you? Did you, Ava?”

Ava sneered. “What business is it of yours if I did?”

Angelo’s face seemed to turn white. His mouth formed into a thin line. His fingers dug more tightly into her flesh, but she didn’t flinch.

“All I’ve ever tried to do is look out for you. Protect you since Joseph died.”

“I’m not a fool. There’s more to it than that and you know it.”

“Fine. You want the truth? The truth is that I want you, damn it. I have since the moment I first saw you.”

She gave him a thin smile. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.”

Angelo released his tight grip on her arm, but he didn’t completely let her go. Instead he leaned over closer to her. So close their faces were inches apart.

“If you know how I feel about you, if you know how much I want you, then why do you keep me at arm’s length?”

“Besides the fact you’re my late husband’s brother? You’re no different from Joseph. I’ve already ridden on the Martelli train once. I have no desire for a repeat.”

“As much as I love my brother, he’s gone and he’s not coming back. But you and I are still here.”

“What’s your point?”

“My point is we could be good together. No, we could be great together. In some ways, my brother was a fool. He had you waiting at home for him. A ripe peach no other man had ever plucked and yet he still wanted to fool with common street whores. I’ll never understand.”

Ava laughed. “Angelo, are you breaking your brother’s confidence and telling me about his other whores? So much for the code of silence.”

“I’m trying to be honest with you. I wouldn’t treat you like that. I’d treat you like the goddess you are. I’ll worship you if you’ll let me.”

There was such an earnest expression on Angelo’s face. Ava had never seen him look so…so…honest. She was almost tempted to believe him. Almost. As the limousine pulled into her driveway, Ava breathed a sigh of relief. Home sweet home. Time to make her escape from Angelo.

“This has nothing to do with business, Ava.”

“Maybe it doesn’t, Angelo. But there will never be anything between us. Never.”

Without another word she opened the limo door and climbed out. Behind her Angelo cursed. Ignoring him, she went to the trunk as the driver appeared to unload her luggage. She declined his offer to take her bags into her home. Grabbing the handles of her suitcases, Ava rolled them up to her house and fished inside her purse for her keys.

“This isn’t over, Ava,” Angelo’s voice called behind her.

Finding her keys, she turned to face him. “Yes, Angelo, it is.”

Quickly unlocking the door to her home, Ava took her bags and went inside, closing and locking the door behind her. Sighing, she leaned against the door. Her life was a mess. A real mess. A possible stepson fancying himself interested in her and an ex brother-in-law dying to get in her pants. Ava had problems and for once she wasn’t sure how to solve any of them.

Chapter Seventeen

Her house phone had not stopped ringing for the past two days. The media smelled blood and they were circling like sharks looking for wounded prey. But Ava was not going to be that prey. She’d done the smart thing and taken the phone off the hook. Only a select few had her cell phone number. Everyone else could go to hell.