MasukHis response took me by surprise. I hadn’t expected him to say that.
But soon, a cynical laugh escaped me. ‘Am I supposed to believe you? You promised me before that if she ever hurt me, you’d do something about it. But did you? Don’t make me laugh.’
‘So that’s what this is about? You’re still mad at me, so you came here with Rhys?’
‘I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed,’ I said, and I let him see it in my eyes.
‘I’ll make it right.’
‘Will you, really?’
If he wouldn’t even punish Genevieve for pushing me into the lake and nearly killing me, what justice could he possibly give me? I didn’t know why I was still holding out hope.
I stood up and turned to leave, but Ashton grabbed my wrist. ‘Are you going back to him?’
‘I need to use the toilet,’ I said flatly.
Ashton followed me all the way to the ladies’ room entrance. I looked at him. ‘Coming in?’
He’d thought I was making an excuse, and now he looked slightly embarr
His arm snaked around my waist, and in one smooth motion, he spun me around and pulled me back against his chest. My spine pressed flush against him, and I could feel the startling heat of his skin through our clothes. It was like fire, and it quickly began to burn away my own resistance.Was it the pregnancy making me feel this horny? My body was definitely telling me it wanted him, even if my head was still fighting it.‘I’d planned on the bedroom,’ he murmured, his voice low by my ear. ‘But if you prefer the bathroom, I’m happy to accommodate you.’‘I don’t prefer it! You’re the one who likes this, don’t put that on me.’Ashton nodded, utterly serious. ‘You’re right. I do like it. We haven’t tried the bathroom before.’‘I don’t want to! Let me out.’ I started to struggle in earnest, forgetting how dangerous that could be with a man already
Ashton pulled a stunning blue crystal from his pocket and dropped it into my palm.‘It’s a powerful anaesthetic. If you’re ever in trouble, use this. One drop will put most people on the floor.’I looked at the small blue vial. It was clear and glittering, looking more like a piece of fancy jewellery than anything else.‘The case is pliable. When it’s empty, you can take it apart and put it back together as a blade.’ He pulled another empty blue bottle from his pocket.He pried the empty one apart and slotted the pieces together into a thin, transparent dagger. It was so beautiful my hand moved to touch it on instinct. But his fingers closed around my wrist before I could.‘It’s razor sharp. You’ll cut yourself.’He dragged the tip lightly across the glass coffee table, and it left a deep scratch.A cold shock went through me. Hell, that could have been my finger. I sta
I studied her.After everything Ashton had done to her, how could she still believe she had a chance? Even back in my high school days, when my infatuation with Rhys was at its peak, I would have turned against him instantly if he’d tried to make me sleep with another man pretending to be him.Yet here was Genevieve, confronted with my marriage to Ashton and my carrying his child, still utterly convinced she would win him over one day.Was she that arrogant, or just profoundly delusional?‘I want you to leave.’ My hand hovered over the call button.‘Wait! Don’t you want to know why Ashton has always protected me?’My hand stilled. That question had been a thorn in my side for a long time, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing it bothered me.Genevieve leaned forward. ‘I’ll tell you. My brother died for Ashton. Ash gave his word that he would take care of me.’
Rhys and Frank were in this together. They were the ones who had me kidnapped. Frank wanted the money, and Rhys wanted me.Their plan was to snatch me, rough me up just enough, then have Rhys swoop in as the hero. Frank’s men would stage a chase, forcing Rhys and me into hiding. They were betting that if I spent enough time alone with him, scared and vulnerable, I’d eventually fall for him.Once that happened, the plan was for Rhys to get me pregnant. I’d have to marry him then, and as my husband, he’d have a legal claim to my inheritance.Then, an ‘unfortunate accident’ would be arranged. After my death, Rhys, the grieving widower, would conveniently bump into Frank. Feeling responsible for his late wife’s father, he’d generously grant him a portion of my fortune.The whole scheme was mapped out over two or three years, starting with the kidnapping and ending with my death after I’d given birth.
I handed the phone to Rhys.He took it, gave the address, and then added, ‘Be careful. They’re looking for us everywhere. This call is a risk. I just hope you find us first.’Then he passed the phone back to me.‘Ashton…’ I had so much I wanted to say, but the words stuck in my throat.‘Mira, don’t be afraid. I’m on my way to you right now.’‘I’m safe. Don’t worry.’I hung up, reluctant to break the connection. Rhys led me back to the room before heading out once more.When he returned, he poured me a glass of water. ‘You should sit down. It’ll take Ashton at least three hours to get here.’I took the glass and drank.A deep exhaustion had settled into my bones. I couldn’t understand it. I hadn’t done anything strenuous, yet I felt drained every single day.Maybe it was the stress.Rhys stood b
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. It was fully morning, and clearly a bright one.Another fit of coughing from Rhys made my stomach drop. Was he running a fever? Had the wound gotten infected?Shit.I hurried over to where he was lying and pressed my hand to his forehead. ‘God, you’re burning up.’‘Danger… It’s dangerous… Mirabelle…’ he muttered, his voice thick with sleep and fever. ‘No, don’t… Mirabelle… look out!’‘Rhys? Rhys, wake up.’ He was twitching, trapped in some nightmare. I called his name again, but he didn’t stir.I shook him gently. ‘Rhys! Wake up!’‘Hmm?’ His eyes flew open, and he stared up at me, disorientated. He winced and shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear it. ‘It’s fine. I just need some water.’As he tried to sit up, I gently pre







