Текст книги "Blindfold "

Автор книги: M. S. Parker

Соавторы: Cassie Wild
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Текущая страница: 1 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

Blindfold Vol. V

By Cassie Wild and M.S. Parker

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 Belmonte Publishing LLC

Published by Belmonte Publishing LLC.

Book Description

I'd known that letting Ashford Lang close was a bad idea. I'd known that if I let myself care too much, he'd break my heart. I'd just never imagined he'd put my family in danger too.

 

Toni Gallagher's boss, heiress Isadora Lang, has escaped her captors, but the danger isn't over. As Toni helps the Langs search for clues as to who's running the show, she knows that when all is said and done, she'll have to face her feelings and decide, once and for all, if Ash is worth the risk.

 

Don't miss the final sizzling installment of MS Parker and Cassie Wild's exciting series, Blindfold.

 

Blindfold Release Schedule

Blindfold Vol. 1 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 1

Blindfold Vol. 2 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 2

Blindfold Vol. 3 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 3

Blindfold Vol. 4 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 4

Blindfold Vol. 5 – This book.

Chapter 1

Ash

“Toni took off in a hurry.”

I didn’t bother looking up at the voice from the doorway. I could practically hear the reproach in my little sister's voice, although her tone was calm and easy. “It’s late. She’s been putting in a lot of time here, as you pointed out.”

“That is true, but is that why she left?”

The direct question was a lot harder to avoid, and Isadora knew I didn’t make a habit of lying to her. Others maybe, but not her. Shifting my gaze upward, I met her eyes. Green, like mine, but a different shade, more like our mother's than our father's.

I didn't say a word, but she must have seen something on my face because she scowled.

“I guess not.”

She came into the library and went straight for the bottle of bourbon I'd left out. I frowned as I watched her study the bottle. Then, with a thoughtful expression, she poured some of it into a glass for herself.

“Iz, you don’t like bourbon.”

“I don’t like a lot of things, big brother.” She shrugged and turned to look at me. “I need something stronger than a Cosmo at the moment. Now, are you going to tell me what happened between you and Toni?”

I was careful not to lie. “What makes you think anything happened?”

“I saw her face as she was walking out.” She lifted the glass to her lips and sipped. Her nose wrinkled and she shuddered. “Damn. That’s strong.”

If she hadn't been working on getting me to talk about something I didn't want to talk about, I might've thought her expression was funny.

Isadora wasn't giving up. “Plus, I can see your face right now. Something happened.”

I gave her a smile that I knew didn't come close to looking genuine. “Everything’s fine, sweetie. Okay, it’s just–”

Her voice sharpened. “Don’t lie to me.”

I stared at her. Isadora didn't talk like that to anyone, and definitely not to me. Not ever.

She took another drink, a longer one, deeper one. “I’m going to assume she mentioned Lily.”

“Fuck, Iz.” I tossed back the rest of my bourbon and slammed the cut crystal glass down so hard, it was a miracle it didn’t shatter. I couldn't even look at my sister now. “Why did you tell Toni about Lily? Were you trying to hurt her?”

“No, Ash. I’m trying to protect her. Toni's the kind of person who has relationships. You don't. You just do sex.” There was a fierce protectiveness in her voice that made my chest hurt. “I don’t want you hurting her!”

“I didn’t want to hurt her, either!” The shout was so vicious, we both flinched. I turned away, disgusted with myself more than angry at my sister. “She thinks I was just using her for sex.”

“Well, you were.”

“No, I wasn’t,” I fired back. The last look I’d seen in Toni's eyes had left me feeling hollowed out and empty. The feeling hadn't faded with the passing hours or the amount of alcohol I'd consumed. I really didn’t want to be discussing this with my sister either, yet I couldn’t seem to stop. “I wasn’t, Iz. Not really. It just happened.” I sighed and ran my hand over my jaw. I needed a shave. “Anyway, it’s not like I’ve got time for a relationship.”

“You never have time, Ash.”

She’d come up to stand next to me without me realizing it. As she slid her arm around my waist, I closed my eyes. I’d been a jackass, to her and Toni. I didn’t want comforted. I didn't deserve to be comforted.

“You spend all your time working or here with me. On the rare occasion you do go out...” She let the sentence trail off.

I was surprised to find myself blushing when she pointedly looked away. Shit. I hadn't realized I'd been that obvious about it. I could only hope she didn't know exactly where I'd gone. That was definitely not a conversation to be having with my little sister.

She continued, “When you do go out, well, it is all about sex. You can't deny that. But maybe the thing with Toni was different. It’s not like you ever made a habit of sleeping with anybody I brought around the house before.”

“It was a mistake.” I’d come to that conclusion in the time since Toni left. It had been a mistake to ever go near her. I’d have to find a way to rectify it. For her sake, and for Isadora's.

“Why? Because you actually let yourself care?”

Damn her. “I–”

“If you tell me that you don’t, I just might punch you.” She jabbed me in the chest. “I don’t want to hear that bullshit. I know you. I see how you are with her. You watch her, Ash.”

“She’s a beautiful woman.” Feeling defensive, I struggled with a reason to make her just stop talking.

“You’ve known a lot of beautiful women,” Isadora countered. “You watch her for other reasons.”

“No...” Then I stopped. Catching her hand, I squeezed it once before releasing it. Before she could reach for me again, I walked over to the window. I’d laid the rose I’d given Toni on the windowsill. She hadn’t taken it with her. I should have just thrown it out, but I hadn't been able to do it. Now, I picked it up and studied the delicate velvet petals.

“I do watch her,” I admitted quietly. “I do care. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t have time for a relationship, Isadora. I just don’t.”

“And I already pointed out that you never have time.” She gestured to everything around us. “What if Dad had decided he didn’t have time? Or Mom? What’s the point of everything you do if you never have time to share it with somebody? What’s the point of anything if you end up all alone? I know some people want it, but, Ash, can you really tell me that's what you want?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn't answer. After a few minutes, she must've gotten tired of waiting, because she left.

I dropped down onto the nearest chair and stared at the abandoned rose.

What’s the point...?

I didn't know.

***

I fell asleep.

I didn't know how long I was out, but I startled awake when I heard the alarm being disarmed.

That put me on my feet.

The sound of the door opening took me out into the hall.

What I saw next had me clenching my jaw.

Isadora.

Dressed in a nightgown and robe. Wrapped in Colton’s arms. He looked like he’d just gotten off work and he had his face tucked against her neck, while she clung to him.

They looked...right.

They looked complete together, even if Isadora’s shoulders were rising and falling erratically, as though she was holding back a sob.

“I can’t sleep, baby,” she whispered against his chest.

I withdrew farther back into the shadows of the library, keenly aware that I was intruding on a private moment. Still, I heard them.

“I keep having nightmares. It’s like I wake up and I’m back there, all over again...”

“It’s okay, Dory,” Colton said, his voice low, harder to hear. “I'm here. I have you and I'm not letting you go.”

I turned away. Quiet as I could, I went back to the couch and sat down. I leaned back and closed my eyes. I hadn’t known she was having nightmares. How had I not known? I was glad she had somebody to talk to, to turn to in the night.

The knowledge made me feel more alone than ever.

Toni’s face was the last thing I saw before I slid back into sleep.

***

Morning dawned too bright and too early. Lying there in my bed, I tried to shut it out, along with the voice of my sister from last night.

But her words circled through my mind over and over in an endless loop.

What’s the point?

She was like a ghost, trapped inside my skull.

If you end up all alone…what’s the point?

I could picture her with Colton, him helping her shoulder the burden of everything that had happened to her. There'd been a time when she would have turned to me, her older brother. For as long as she had been alive, I had been there for her, even before our parents died. It was strange to realize I wasn’t the one she turned to anymore.

Realistically, I knew I couldn’t expect to be the only one in her life. Isadora was funny and bright and sweet. She loved people. People loved her.

Unlike me. I had wealth and power, and that attracted people. But that wasn’t the same thing as having people like me. Care about me.

I lived a very solitary existence, and it was becoming more solitary all the time. First, we lost our parents. Then I lost Lily. Once I'd stopped trusting everybody except my sister, it had been inevitable that I'd have no one but her.

Then Toni came along and shaken my world.

Pushing her away had been instinctive, and I’d done it from the beginning. I could see that now. She was funny and determined, and she didn’t shy away from anything. She was everything I didn’t have.

So, of course, I'd pushed her away. Tried to keep her at arm's length like I did with my staff.

Other than Isadora, there was nobody I really talked to, and even my relationship with her wasn’t as close as it had been. It had taken seeing her with Colton last night to realize we were drifting apart. Or we already had.

What’s the point…if you end up all alone?

***

Twelve hours ago, this was the last place I’d expected to end up.

Twelve hours ago, I had convinced myself I was doing the right thing, establishing a safe distance between Toni and myself. I’d thought we could have a purely sexual relationship. I just needed to find the right way to propose my brilliant plan.

I could have my cake and eat it too.

Six hours ago, I'd had myself convinced it was best that she knew the kind of person I was.

Now I was just hoping she’d let me through the door.

I couldn't quite remember how I’d gotten through the security door that first night. Maybe somebody had taken pity on a drunk bum. Or maybe somebody equally as drunk had been going through and I’d just followed.

I had no idea, and that actually bothered me. Toni should be completely safe, and it was clear that she wasn't here.

Except right now. There was nobody around who looked interested in opening that door, and the memories I had from before were so blurred by booze and memories of being naked with Toni, I had no room in my skull for something as mundane as how I’d gotten inside.

The only memory I clearly recall was of those minutes when I’d woken to find myself in her bed. Even those memories were somewhat muddled by the miserable hangover I'd had. It likely would have been much worse if it hadn't been for her pouring water and ibuprofen down my throat the night before.

Sometimes there'd be a faint flicker of something more. The brush of her mouth on mine. Her body pressed against me. Her voice sharp as she ordered me to drink water, and then soft as she cried out my name.

That was all I had though.

Dread gripped me as I lifted my finger to jab at the doorbell.

It was very likely she wouldn’t let me in. But I had to try.

Before I had a chance, the front door opened and a cute black girl just an inch or so taller than Toni stood there. She cocked her head to the side and studied me, lips pursed. With an intense scrutiny, she looked me over from head to toe and then propped her shoulder against the door.

“Well, hello. Can I help you?” She seemed amused to see me standing there.

“Ah...hello. I’m here to see Toni. Toni Gallagher.”

Dark eyes glinting, she said, “There's only one Toni in the building. She know you're coming?”

I thought about trying to charm my way past her, but the look in her eyes told me it wouldn’t work. I went with the truth. “No. And I'll be honest, if she did, she probably wouldn't let me up.” I fudged the next bit. Sort of. “We've been seeing each other and we had a pretty bad fight. I want to make it up to her.” I gave her a sheepish smile rather than a charming one. “I don't suppose you’d help me out?”

“If you’re trying to make it up to her, where's the candy? Roses? Something sparkly?” She glanced at my decidedly empty hands.

“Toni isn’t the kind to be impressed with it.” Also, I hadn’t thought of it.

“Huh.” She grunted out the noise, then shrugged. “That's true enough. So, what if I say no?”

Sliding my hands in my back pockets, I looked away. “Then you say no. And I start pushing on that buzzer and play the waiting game.”

I felt like a bug under a microscope, the way she watched me, but whatever she saw must have satisfied her.

“Good for you,” she announced with a decisive nod. She stood aside and held out the door. Just before I would have crossed the threshold, she grabbed my arm. “Don’t make me regret this.”

I gave her a short nod, hoping neither of us would regret it.

As far as things went with Toni, I had more than enough to regret already.

Chapter 2

Toni

Bent over the coffee I just poured, I tried to will the caffeine into my body so I wouldn’t have to expend the energy to drink it.

I hadn’t slept worth shit. At best guess, I’d gotten maybe two hours altogether, and that had been in stops and starts throughout the entire night.

A bleary-eyed glance at the clock told me I had to leave in an hour. I'd stayed up late attempting to read the section from the syllabus that they'd covered yesterday in class, but I knew I hadn't processed any of it. I was supposed to meet one of my classmates on campus to get notes, but even the thought of having to look over things made my head hurt. The whole idea of school was making my head hurt. I was down to the last few classes I needed, and I just wanted to...quit.

The thought made me wanted to cry.

I couldn’t quit. I didn’t want to not be a psychologist anymore, but life was kicking me so hard and fast lately, I felt like I was going to break.

First, I'd lost the job that was supposed to have gotten me through school, then everything had happened with Isadora and Ash...

My throat knotted up as his face drifted through my mind. “Quit it,” I said out loud, my voice rough. “You’ll get over him.”

I would, too. I wouldn’t waste my heart on a man who’d never love me. But I wasn't dumb enough to think it wouldn't hurt a little first.

Before I'd even had time to start that process though, I'd found that damn letter. That fucking letter.

They wanted to make sure I knew they could get to me or my family.

They wanted to scare me.

They’d succeeded.

Whoever the hell they were.

I felt sick inside.

What was I supposed to do? Part of me wanted to go to the cops, no matter what the mysterious 'they' had threatened. Yet another part of me still didn't trust them after what they'd done to me and my family. I’d lost my scholarship and so many other things thanks to them. Sure, it had been Vic getting in trouble that had started the whole mess, but they hadn't helped.

I didn’t want to trust them now, but I didn’t know who I could trust, either.

My hand shook as I lifted my coffee to my lips. It scalded my tongue as I took a sip, but I didn’t care. I needed the heat almost as much as I needed the caffeine. I felt frozen inside, frozen in a way I knew no heat or sweater could penetrate.

My mug had barely clicked down on the counter when I heard a knock at the front door. Immediately, I tensed, my limbs locking into place for one terrifying moment. Then, suddenly, I shoved backward, surprising myself when I actually moved so hard I fell against the opposite counter.

I groaned at the impact, banging into the sharp surface with enough force to form a bruise. Straightening, I rubbed at my hip as I stared at the door.

Now I was really shaken. Nobody was able to get in my building without being buzzed in, and I hadn't done it. Maybe someone else had, but that didn't explain why they were knocking at my door. It might've been an innocent mistake, but I wasn't going to take any chances, not with my nerves shot and my stomach churning.

I started toward the door, pausing to grab my Louisville Slugger from its place behind the front door. I held it in my right hand, comforted by the familiar feel of it. I'd played baseball off and on most of my life, and I could still swing hard enough to do serious damage.

“Who is it?” I demanded, satisfied that my voice wasn't shaking.

The rest of me sure as hell was.

Relief went through me in a rush when I heard a familiar voice answer.

“It's me. I heard you yell. Are you okay?”

Ash.

My relief mixed with irritation.

Now my heart was racing all over again, and my hands felt damp and sweaty. The honest part of me knew that had nothing to do with being irritated and that irritated me even more. But I didn’t care about the honest part of me.

A sudden rush of longing swept over me, then faded as quickly as it had come. I seized onto the anger before it could go too, because anger was a lot better than the hurt that still echoed inside me.

For the first time since I’d read those chilling words, I felt warm. A side effect of what I was feeling, I knew. That emotion could warm me better than two cups of coffee, and it also managed to chase away the rest of the fear and clear my head of the last of the cobwebs.

Still gripping the bat, I dealt with the locks left-handed and wrenched the door open. “I'm fine.”

Ash’s eyes slid from my face to the bat. “And still mad at me, apparently.”

Curling my lip at him, I said, “Yeah, well, I don’t plan on getting another assault charge because of you. No man is worth it.” I tossed the bat back into its place. “Especially not you.”

His mouth tightened.

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way back out.”

“I’m not leaving just yet.”

Over my shoulder, I shot him a dark look. “Oh, yes. You are. I'll get the bat if I have to.”

“Toni...”

Spinning on my heel to glare at him, I shouted, “No! You’re not doing this again! I put up with your mood swings and your bullshit when you were dealing with Isadora’s disappearance, but I’m done! You don’t get to push me away any time you like! I’m tired of dealing with your whiny, bullshit insecurities!”

Ash stiffened, a flush creeping up his neck.

I waited, heart racing, my breath locked inside my lungs.

He’d explode or he’d leave. One or the other, I knew it.

But...he didn’t.

“You’re right.”

“Oh, don’t give me...” I stopped halfway through my rant as my brain processed what I'd heard. “Wait, what?”

He turned away. “You’re right.”

Moving to the window, he looked outside. My apartment was up on the second floor and he looked down onto the street, seeing a much different view than he was used to.

His voice was quiet as he continued, “You should know that Isadora tore me a new asshole last night. Once you were gone, I...I couldn’t sleep. I closed my eyes and I saw you. All I see is you.”

He turned back to face me and I saw the shadows under his eyes. Waspishly, I glared at him, arms crossed over my chest. “Poor Ash.”

“Your sympathy warms my heart,” he said dryly.

I huffed out a breath and pushed my hair back from my face. As I did, his gaze slid down to my chest. In that moment, I was acutely aware of how the tops of my breasts looked pressing against the low-cut top of my chemise, how the pajama bottoms I wore rode low, just below my hip bones. Judging by the look in his eyes, he was just as aware of the exposed skin as I was.

My arms went over my stomach again. “Yeah, well, I didn’t exactly sleep that well myself. If you want real sympathy, find a sycophant. Somebody is bound to give you some real pity.”

“I deserved the sleepless night.” He took a few steps in my direction, his eyes locking with mine.

I barely even noticed he had moved until that four feet between us narrowed down two feet, then one, then it was all but gone.

“I deserve pretty much every cutting insult you have under your belt, Toni.”

“Is that an invitation?” I gave him a tight smile. My entire body was humming, just from him being so close. I knew I should take a step back, but I couldn't get my legs to obey.

“Not really.” He reached up, trailing one finger down my cheek.

The light contact made me shiver.

“After I say what I came to say, if you want to throw me out, I’ll go. But I need to say this.”

I struggled to keep the edge to my voice. “I'd rather just throw you out now. I'm not really in the mood to hear anything you have to say.”

“Toni, please.”

It shouldn’t have mattered to me. What I’d wanted, needed, none of it had ever mattered that much to him before. Why should what he wanted matter to me now?

Sometimes, one of you just has to be willing to bend. To compromise. And the one who does it is often the strongest one in the relationship.

My mother had told me that once, after she and dad had argued over her interviewing for a job. She’d wanted it. Dad hadn’t wanted her to leave the family business.

I didn't even remember the specifics of it, but when I’d asked her later why she hadn’t just gone after it anyway. I'd been maybe seventeen, eighteen, and the feminist in me had balked at my father's behavior. And then she'd given me that advice.

I’d taken those words to heart in all aspects of my life, but it was no good if I only did it when it wasn’t that hard.

Ash and I didn’t have a relationship, but I could still listen to what he had to say.

Besides, if I were really honest, I’d have to admit I didn’t want to be alone just yet. If I was, I’d have nothing to think about except the note, and I needed a few minutes of not thinking about it.

All night, I'd thought about calling one of my brothers. I'd thought about going back home, even. Back to the house where I’d grown up with my parents.

In a way, that house would always be home. But I hadn't let myself do it. I wasn't alone now. As angry and hurt as I was, it was nice to have somebody here, even if it was him.

“Fine,” I said finally. “Say what you have to say.”

“Do you mind if I sit?”

Mind? Out loud, I said, “Sure. Make yourself at home.” I threw open my arms, sarcastic warmth filling my voice. “At least until you say whatever it is you have to say. Then you can get the hell out.”

The caution in his eyes scraped against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard and I turned on my heel. I needed coffee to deal with this. Alcohol would have been better, but it was too early and I wasn't that desperate. Yet.

More than a little spiteful, I almost didn’t pour him any, but at the last moment, my mother's upbringing kicked in, and I fixed him a cup as well. After I’d doctored mine with cream and sugar, I carried both back with me into the small space I used for a living room.

It wasn't much, but it was mine.

Curling up in my favorite chair, I stared at him over the rim of my mug. “So, what’s this big, important thing you need to talk with me about?”

His eyes still focused on the coffee I’d given him, he sighed softly. For a few moments, he didn’t speak at all. Finally, he shifted his attention to me, his bottle green eyes seeming even brighter against the dark shadows that lay under them. “I already told you that Isadora gave me a rather strong talking to last night.”

“Talking to?” I snorted at the phrase.

To my surprise, he gave me a sad smile. “You can thank my mom for that. She learned it from my grandmother. Gram was...well, not exactly what you would probably expect.”

He paused and took a sip of coffee.

When he continued, I had to admit, it surprised me even more. The personal talk wasn't like him.

“My grandfather met her in Mississippi. It was pretty much love at first sight. She was...” He puffed up his cheeks before blowing out a quick, hard breath. “Let’s just say he surprised everybody, and shocked society when he brought back the beautiful girl from Biloxi, Mississippi. She didn’t give a damn what anybody thought of her, and her favorite thing to do was shock the hell out of everybody.” He smiled, a fond one. “You probably would have liked her.”

“And you’re telling me this why?” I asked levelly. “You don’t do relationships, and me liking her would only matter if you and I were involved. You made it clear last night that all we have – had – was a sexual relationship.” I gave him a hard look. “Please note the past tense.”

His eyes darted away and a shadow crossed his face. “That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Past tenses?” I asked, saccharine dripping from the words.

He ignored me. “I'm glad Isadora told you about Lily.”

“Oh, yeah. I could tell. It was so obvious by the sweet way you talked to me.” I stirred my coffee, watching the liquid swirl in my favorite mug.

“Yeah, one of the other things I’m sorry for.” His voice was soft. “But if I hadn’t done that, then we wouldn't have argued, and Isadora wouldn’t have torn into me. And I wouldn’t have figured some things out.”

He put his coffee down and rose.

My heart skipped a beat, then another as he went to his knees in front of me. The look in his eyes was intense, and I felt like he'd cut me open, laid me bare, with that stare alone. I felt more vulnerable and exposed now than I ever had.

I didn’t like it.

When he reached out and covered my hand with his, I flinched.

He didn’t move his hand though, or stop talking.

“She asked me a question – just a simple one, but I couldn’t answer her. I still can’t.” His thumb rasped across my skin.

Between the intensity of his voice, his eyes and the rub of his thumb across my inner wrist, my thoughts were in shambles.

“She asked me what the point was.”

Confused, I shook my head.

“She asked if there was a point to anything. To everything. She told me that if I was going to push everybody away, keep everybody out, then what was the point to anything I did?” He lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I’m alone. The only person in my life is my sister, and we’re growing apart. She doesn’t need me the way she once did. She has Colton, and something tells me she might be looking for a new place, making a home somewhere else for the two of them. Then it'll just be me in that big house. What do I have in my life, Toni? There’s...nothing.”

Seriously? He came here to whine? “Yeah, I can see how you have so much nothing. You have a giant, beautiful house, and cars that would make my brothers weep. You belong to an exclusive sex club where beautiful women line up to submit to you.” I curled my lip at him. “That’s a whole lot of nothing, all right.”

But my voice shook. My heart was aching despite myself, while another part of me warned me not to let myself get sucked in again.

“Things don’t make a person happy, Toni.” He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm.

Jerking my hand away, I glared at him. “Yeah, I know that. Now you're starting to get it and you're considering trying something else to fill the void? Yay. Goodie for you. Go find a girl who cares.”

Not one who's already in love with you and tired of hurting.

I shoved him back and stood, moving into the kitchen to get some space between us. I needed to be away from him. My heart couldn't take it. Tears burned my eyes and I could feel myself coming apart.

He came in behind me, his steps slow. Not hesitant, but slow, like he was giving me time to move away.

I wrapped my arms around myself and ducked my head. I wanted him to go, to leave and never come back.

And my heart broke even more at the thought of never seeing him again.

“I’m not considering anything, Toni. I’m realizing. I don’t have a life. I have an existence, and it's all I've had for a long time. Maybe since even before my parents died. And I’m tired of it. From the moment I saw you, I felt more alive than I had in years. I want that. I want you.”

“Want is easy,” I whispered. My voice shook and I squeezed my eyes closed. I could feel it in my chest, the most dangerous thing I could feel.

Hope.

I couldn't hope.

Even though I knew he was close behind me, when he touched my shoulders, I jerked. I spun around, anger and panic sending my heart racing. My eyes were wide, hands shaking. Too much. It was too much. The letter, now him showing up here like this...I couldn't take it.

Sucking in a breath, I started to babble out some sort of lame excuse to cover up my reaction, but it was too late. His eyes narrowed on my face and whatever else he might've wanted to say vanished.

“What’s going on?”

Shit. He didn't need to know any of this. “Nothing.”

He shook his head. “You're lying. When you answered the door, you looked like you were going to take my head off with that bat. I thought you were just pissed at me, but you didn’t know I was coming. And now that I think about it, you looked more scared than mad. Something’s going on. What is it?”

I lifted my chin. Hell, no. “You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Toni.” His voice held a low warning.

“Ash.” I mocked him as I found my footing again. “Just a reminder, I’m fun and good in bed. That’s it. There’s nothing between us, so it’s not like you have any business demanding to know jackshit about me.”

Turning away, I crossed my arms across my stomach so Ash wouldn't see them shaking. My gaze fell on the letter. I stared at it, unable to look away.

And that was where I messed up.

Because when Ash came around, he saw where I was looking, took one long step forward and picked up the letter. I tried to stop him, but couldn't grab it in time.

Defeated, I slumped back against the counter and waited.

I didn't have to wait long.

His eyes cut to mine seconds later. “When in the hell did you get this?”