Текст книги "Traded"

Автор книги: Rebecca Brooke

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Текущая страница: 17 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

CHAPTER 27

Elena

“From the top,” Alan called from somewhere near the back. “Vince, remember where we made the changes to the blocking.”

We’d been rehearsing the same number for the last three days when Alan decided that the scene didn’t work and we needed to start from scratch. My feet were sore from all the dancing, not to mention my throat was scratchy. At some point Alan would need to give up and give us a break.

The intro to the music started and I counted the beats. I was the first to come in. I heard my cue and started to sing. Suddenly, the door was flung open, the heavy metal handle crashing against the wall and startling everyone in the room. Six police officers ran through the door, guns drawn.

Alan jumped from his seat and into the aisle, his hands raised. “I’m not sure what’s happened, but I think you have the wrong place.”

The one in the front took a step forward, calling out, “Elena Tolley?” and all heads, excluding those of the police officers, snapped in my direction.

“I’m Elena Tolley,” my voice squeaked out.

He holstered his gun and came toward me. “You’ll have to come with us, ma’am.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and stood stock-still. “I’m not going anywhere with anyone until someone explains what is going on.”

“Ma’am, we have Ashton Hawes in custody. He is being questioned regarding your disappearance. Kidnapping,” he clarified.

My eyes practically popped out of my head. “You what?” I yelled.

Alan ran up onto the stage. “You arrested Ashton?” he asked, a bit more calmly than me.

Why in the hell would they think that Ashton kidnapped me? I was only clueless for a fleeting moment because the answer slapped me in the face.

Dominic.

Asshole was still finding ways to ruin my life.

“Officer, I can assure you Ashton did not kidnap me. I’m with him of my own free will.”

The officers looked at me like I was crazy, probably thinking I was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. The ridiculous thing about it was that the jerk parading around their station, most likely with his head held high, had caused me more damage than anyone could imagine.

“Are you sure you’re okay, ma’am?”

“I promise, I’m fine.” I knew I could fix this whole mess when I got to the station. Taking a deep breath, I tried to force myself to relax. “Give me a second to grab my things and I’ll come with you.” I gave a curt nod and headed off stage.

Alan followed me to the back dressing rooms. “Do you want me to come with you?”

I shook my head. “No, I needed to stand up to my soon-to-be ex-husband sooner or later.” I lay my arm on his. “Keep working. I’ll fix this mess and be back tomorrow.”

He pulled me into a hug. “I’m glad he sent you to me. Take care of him tonight—he’s going to be pissed.”

“I will.”

I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran around to come out of the audience door instead of the stage door. The officers were still there waiting. “Let’s go,” I said, leading the way to the doors.

We walked out to find the place surrounded by even more cars. Members of EMS came running up to me with a stretcher.

“Are you all right, ma’am?” one of them asked, reaching out to take my hand and lead me to the ambulance.

I snatched my arm out of his reach. “I’m fine. I wasn’t kidnapped, simply being tortured by my estranged husband.” I looked around at all of them, standing there. “Now will someone please take me to the station so we can clear this all up?”

“Sorry, Mrs. Tolley,” one of the officers from inside said as he approached. “Please, come with me and we’ll take you there.”

I followed him to one of the unmarked cars. Taking my hand, he helped me in, before climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. The entire drive over my blood boiled, all of the things I ever wanted to say to the arrogant jerk running through my head. There would be no holding back this time. The minute the cop stopped in front of the station and opened my door, I pushed past him and took the steps two at a time. I pushed open the door and was searching for someone to talk to about getting Ashton released when his voice slithered over me.

“Elena, my lovely wife.”

My head snapped in his direction. His words were meant for the ears of the detectives.

I knew better.

Hatred burned bright in his eyes and when he stepped in front of me and took my hands like he was making sure I was okay, I felt his fingers tighten, squeezing my hands uncomfortably, a sly smile playing at the edges of his mouth. I tried to pull out of his grasp but he was stronger and pulled me to him, keeping me close so that my front was pressed against his. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, over my own arms, preventing me from moving, and with his chin resting on my shoulder, his mouth dropped to my ear.

“If you think for one second I’m letting you divorce me, you have another think coming. Now smile, say thank you, and get your fat ass in the fucking car.”

Some of my old insecurities rose up but I pushed them back as best I could. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Malcolm being held back by Miller. He gave me a nod and I let it fly.

Pushing free, I spoke to Dominic, my voice raised so everyone around could hear. “Get your goddamn hands off me. I’m not your lovely wife, as you conveniently choose to put it, considering we’re surrounded by police officers. I’m your soon-to-be ex-wife because you don’t know how to treat a woman.” I jabbed my finger into his chest, working myself into a fine rage. “You’ve spent every day of the last five years tearing me down. I thought I was worthless; that no one would ever want me. You made me think that I was only worthy of being a fucktoy to you. Your problem is that I found someone else; a man who treats me better than you could ever imagine. A man who makes me come over and over again as I scream his name.”

I smirked when I realized we were completely surrounded by officers. “And you have just trapped yourself by falsely accusing a man of kidnapping. A man I’m choosing to be with over you. You’re an idiot. I hope you enjoy jail. I’m taking Ashton home to bed,” I finished.

My knees went weak at the realization of everything that had just come out of my mouth, but, thankfully, during my rant, Miller had come up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist. The police closed in on Dominic, who looked much more uncomfortable now than when I walked in.

“I’m proud of you, little sis,” Miller said in my ear.

“Thank you.” It meant the world for him to say that to me, and the “little sis” made my heart flutter in my chest.

If only that could be true someday.

Malcolm stepped in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders. A blush crept up my cheeks. He’d heard everything I just said. “Thank you for coming to Ashton’s rescue.”

“Of course I would.” The thought of Ashton locked up somewhere in the building brought tears to my eyes.

“You bitch,” Dominic screamed, still fighting the officer holding him even though it was obvious he had no chance of wrestling free. “No one wants to fuck an ugly whore like you. Not even to wipe out a debt. Ashton told me a few weeks ago he wants all of his money.” Spit flew from his lips with every hateful word.

Malcolm spun around so fast he was almost a blur.

“You motherfucker,” he said, advancing on Dominic. “If you don’t shut your goddamn mouth, I’m going to chop your dick off and feed it to you in slices.”

Miller ran around me to wrap an arm around his dad, pulling him back away from where the cops had thrown Dominic to the floor, forcing him into a set of cuffs.

The adrenaline I’d felt when confronting Dominic began to wear off, and the seat a few feet away looked extremely appealing. I walked over to it and dropped down. Both Malcolm and Miller turned their attention back to me. They shared a brief look then Miller took the seat next to mine while Malcolm stood, his neck and face red. I was having trouble controlling my emotions. The tremble of my fingers caught Malcolm’s attention.

“Come on, Elena. Let’s see what we can do about getting Ashton out of here.”

A tall man with dark brown hair came down the hall. The fit of his gray three-piece suit made it very clear that he was not a public defender, or a detective; a suspicion only confirmed when Malcolm offered his hand.

“Arthur.” Malcolm turned and gestured for me to join him. All of the hatred of a few minutes ago gone, I could feel Miller’s presence close behind. Then he stepped up next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder for support. “Arthur Colburn, please meet Elena Tolley. Elena, this is my lawyer, Arthur.”

The gentleman extended his hand toward me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He gestured toward one of the detectives. “Now that you’re here, we’ll be able to straighten this out in no time.”

He led me over to the reception desk where Detective Lynch introduced himself and asked if I could answer a few questions. My hands began to sweat as I considered how much lying I might need to do to keep Ashton out of jail.

“Okay. I can do that.”

He led me to an office down the hall, gesturing for me to take a seat in front of the desk. Arthur took the seat next to me. Malcolm and Miller had elected to wait out in the lobby, knowing their presence in the room wouldn’t help. Detective Lynch took the seat behind the desk and opened the file. Pen in hand, he looked up at me.

“Now, Mrs. Tolley, you said that you were not kidnapped by Mr. Hawes.”

“Absolutely not.” I moved to get up from my seat and Arthur set his hand on my arm, signaling me to sit back down. “Ashton has done nothing but save me from being abused by my so called husband.”

“I take it from the conversation a few minutes ago that your husband didn’t always treat you well?” He had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed by my behavior.

“You could say that. I doubt you want all of the details—you certainly got enough earlier—but Dominic liked to put me down, make me feel terrible about myself. He isolated me from my family and friends. Ashton has done everything he can to make me see that I am worthy of being treated well. Of being loved.”

“So Mr. Hawes did not trade money to have you for three months like your husband claims.”

How close that was to reality scared me. What if I gave myself away? Trying to think about it rationally, I reasoned that, technically, Ashton didn’t give any money to Dominic for me or vice versa. Using that thought to comfort and relax me, I answered. “No, he didn’t.”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you aware that Mr. Hawes has previously been investigated in relation to unlicensed moneylending?”

I shook my head, hoping to seem naïve to his business practices. “Ashton owns three restaurants downtown.”

“What is your relationship to Mr. Hawes?”

“Ashton and I are living together.” I drew little circles on the table. “When I saw Dominic last week, I told him I was filing for divorce. Apparently he decided to turn Ashton in, instead of giving me up as his slave.”

The detective nodded with each word that left my lips. His eyes crinkled, his voice soothing. “I’ve seen this many times, Mrs. Tolley, although, not to the extreme your husband took it. It’s not uncommon for abusive husbands to push things too far when their wife threatens to leave them, especially for another man.”

“Does that mean you’ll let Ashton go?”

He sat back in his seat and watched me. “While it would give me great pleasure to arrest a member of the Hawes family,” his eyes darted to Arthur, who sat stoically, staring straight ahead, “this is one instance where I believe that they are innocent and have, in fact, helped someone out of a terrible situation.”

I held my breath, waiting for him to continue.

“So yes, Mrs. Tolley, in this circumstance, Mr. Hawes will be released.”

I wanted to jump up and wrap my arms around his neck. There were things I never told Ashton that he deserved to hear when we were alone, not over a phone, or through a glass window. With great effort, I kept myself seated and simply said, “Thank you.”

The edges of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “You’re welcome. I would warn you, but I think you already know more about Ashton than you’re letting on.”

There was a moment of silence. I could have let it go, said nothing, but I needed Detective Lynch to know.

“Ashton loves me. He makes me feel like a princess—something I’ve never felt before.” I almost added that I didn’t care what he did, but I figured that would be too much.

Detective Lynch stood. “Give me a few minutes to get all the paperwork completed, then Mr. Hawes will be released.”

When the door closed behind him, I turned to Arthur. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

He glanced over at me. “Because it was your story to tell. I don’t need to protect you from your own story.”

Fidgeting with the hem of my shirt, I asked. “Do you think they’ll be long?”

He shook his head. “Not with Malcolm here. They can’t stand him. They’ll want him out of here sooner rather than later.”

I nodded and went back to playing with anything in reach. With everything out of the way, I was nervous. Would Ashton blame me for what happened? No. Ashton wasn’t like that. Arthur covered my hand and gave me a comforting smile. All of the waiting probably didn’t have much of an effect on him. It was likely standard procedure.

What felt like an eternity later, the door opened.

“Mr. Hawes is free to go.”

Jumping from my seat, I practically ran to the door. A hand landed on my arm and I looked up into the eyes of Detective Lynch. “I know Ashton treats you better than Dominic ever did, and you seem like a wonderful woman, just . . . please be careful.”

Glancing down at his hand on my arm, I said, “I know exactly what I’m getting into.” Stepping around him, I ran down the hallway toward the lobby. Ashton’s blond head caught my attention. His back was turned to me as he talked to his dad and brother. Miller pointed in my direction and Ashton turned slowly, his eyes locking on mine, the green glowing behind the frames of his glasses.

For a split second I froze, waiting to see his reaction. When a slow, sexy smile curved his lips, I took off toward him.

CHAPTER 28

Ashton

Elena came bolting down the hall and right into my arms. She clutched the back of my coat like a lifeline. It felt so right to have her there; her body pressed against mine. I wrapped one arm around her waist and brought the other up to cup her face, watching her eyes as they shimmered with unshed tears.

“Elena, what’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. This is all my fault.” She sniffled and buried her head against my chest.

“Elena, look at me,” I demanded. Her tear-streaked face met mine. “You are not to blame for what one fucking idiot does.”

My lips descended to hers—who the fuck cared if I was in the middle of a police station? Certainly not me.

She quickly surrendered to the kiss and her body pushed further into mine as I swiped my tongue passed her lips to deepen the kiss. I’d have taken her there and then, but the cat calls echoing around the room told me it was time to pull back. We’d have all the time in the world once we got home.

Her chest rose and fell with each labored breath. “I love you,” she said.

Forgetting myself, I lifted her into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. “I’ll call you later,” I said over my shoulder to my dad and Miller. I’d been waiting to hear her say the words and now that she had, I wasn’t ever letting her go.

I stepped out the doors and just like I expected, Lewis was waiting in the lot for us. When we no longer had an audience, I looked into her eyes.

“I love you so much, Elena. Stay with me.” It wasn’t a command, but I wasn’t necessarily asking either.

“Forever. We can talk to Arthur about expediting the process.”

“Later,” I promised, stepping up to the car. Lewis already had the back door open. Setting her on her feet, I hurried her inside. I needed to have her home and in our bed. “Home,” I told Lewis, shutting the door.

Scooping Elena into my arms, I tasted her lips, quickly losing control; by the time we reached the house, my hand had already slipped up inside her top to cup her breast. The car pulled to a stop and I sat up, adjusting her clothes. I didn’t give two shits about being caught, but no one besides me was ever seeing Elena naked again.

Taking her hand, I led her to the house and through the door. It hadn’t even finished closing when I pushed her up against it, capturing her mouth roughly, tasting every inch. Need coursed through me. Simple, hot, rough sex wouldn’t be enough. She was mine and it was time to show her even more.

Breaking the connection of our lips, I placed my hand on her back and guided her up the stairs to the bedroom. The toys were in the drawer, the restraints attached to the bed, but none of that would do. My body craved something more than the normal. Not that most of what I liked was “normal” by most people’s standards.

We reached the bedroom and I knew exactly what I wanted. I took a seat on the bed and watched Elena, trying to decide if she was ready for what I had in mind.

Elena walked up to me, her hips sashaying gracefully with each step. She stood in front of me staring, silently. After a moment, her thigh slipped over mine until she was straddling my erection, which was straining almost painfully against my jeans.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Fuck yes.” My voice was rough with desire. I wanted her so badly I could barely see straight.

Her body rocked against mine and I was done.

Grabbing her ass, I stood and turned to lay her on the bed. Stripping her of the skimpy tank top and shorts she had on, staring into her eyes, I asked, “Do you trust me?”

“I do,” she answered without hesitation.

I reached behind me into the dresser drawer and pulled out a blindfold. Slipping it over her head, I watched her body respond. She could no longer see what I was doing. Removing one of the five senses heightens the others. Right about now she should be a mass of overwhelming feeling.

Which was exactly what I wanted.

Her thighs clenched together and she squirmed on the bed. Gently, I stroked my fingers down the inside of her calves, watching them quiver beneath my touch.

“Don’t move.”

A deep breath escaped her lips and she nodded. Darting down the stairs to the kitchen, I grabbed a bowl and filled it with ice cubes, before joining Elena on the bed again. I set the bowl on the nightstand, letting the glass make a sound as it touched the wood.

“Ashton?”

“Shhh.” I climbed up on the bed next to her, stroking up the inside of her thigh, across her stomach, and up around her pert, pink nipples.

Reaching behind me, I grabbed a cube from the bowl, replacing my finger with it. The sound of her squeal as the ice hit her skin sent waves of fire through me. With a tight grip on the cube, I snaked it around both nipples until they stood up hard. Her breath was coming in pants. I knew I was bringing her closer and closer to the edge.

That didn’t stop me from gliding the ice down the valley of her breasts onto her stomach, my tongue following behind to lick up the water. A moan slipped passed her lips when the cubed circled her naval, traveling down to her clit. Her body arced up. I placed my hand on her stomach, still stroking her with the cold ice and warned, “Be still, or I’ll have to tie you up.”

At the mention of restraints, a tremble traveled through her body, tightening at her core. She swallowed hard and nodded. Satisfied she’d do as she was told, I moved the cube down, stroking through her core until I found her puckered entrance. Her lower body started to come up off the bed, but she got a handle on it and dropped back, her chest rising and falling rapidly with the effort.

“That’s it, gorgeous.”

I took another piece of ice. Moans and whimpers permeated the air as she did her best to stay still. It didn’t seem possible, but my dick continued to get harder with each and every sound and if I didn’t slip into her wet heat soon, I was going to end up coming all over the bed.

One last cube.

I placed it between my lips, rubbing it lightly over hers, watching her tongue dart out to taste the water as the ice melted where it touched her heated skin. Tracing the cube down her body once again, I let my cold tongue bring her over the edge, her body convulsing in wave after wave of pleasure.

“Oh, baby, it’s so hot watching you come,” I groaned, crawling up her body, unable to take anymore. “And I’m going to make you come all over my dick this time.”

Her head thrashed on the pillow as I slid in slowly, inch by inch.

That’s where my ability for slow and steady ended.

Slipping out, I thrust back in, picking up my pace each time. The muscles tightened in my thighs. I did everything I could to hold back the orgasm, wanting her to come first, but when her body quivered and clamped down on me, it brought me over as I surged into hers. I almost blacked out when I came, over and over again.

Panting, I reached for the blindfold. “Get ready for the light.”

I slipped the fabric from her face and her eyes closed tightly for a few seconds before she began to blink. Eventually, her gaze focused on me. A languorous smile formed on her lips.

“That was unbelievable.”

Placing a tender kiss on her forehead, I said, “It was.”

I picked up the bowl and brought it to the bathroom, dumping the leftover ice and water down the drain. When I returned to the bedroom, Elena was sound asleep. Turning out the lights, I slipped beneath the covers, pulling her close. Warmth spread through me the moment her hand landed on my chest.

She said the words.

Now I knew how my dad felt when he talked about my mom. The man was the definition of a hardass with everyone but her, and Elena did the same thing to me. She melted me in ways I never expected.

I ran over the events of the day in my head. While we’d waited on Elena and Arthur, my dad and Miller had filled me in on what had happened in the lobby: from Tolley’s ridiculous accusations, to his tirade against Elena. Apparently he hadn’t learned his lesson a few weeks ago when I used his face as a punching bag. They told me he’d been arrested for falsely accusing me of kidnapping, but that wouldn’t keep him in jail for long. He’d either serve his days or bail himself out.

He’d be safer doing his time.

Either way, it was time for Elena to learn how to handle a small caliber gun. I’d start looking into those things tomorrow morning. I knew Elena would probably be hungry when she woke, so I forced myself out of bed, tossed on a pair of gym shorts and my glasses, and went downstairs to find something for dinner, and to call my dad.

The phone only rang twice. “Ashton.”

“Dad,” I said dropping down onto the couch in the living room.

“That bastard is going to pay for all this.”

The mention of Tolley made my blood pressure rise. “Yeah, well until the cops release him, we’re not getting our hands on him.”

“You don’t think I have people watching for when that fucker gets released?”

“I’m sure you do. I want to get Elena a gun and spend some time at the range.”

He sighed. “I’ll end that son of a bitch before he gets anywhere near her.”

“You had mom take the same classes as Elena’s been taking, and she didn’t even have a crazy-ass ex. No harm in her knowing her way around a gun.”

“You have a point. With our business the way it is, it wouldn’t hurt—especially if you two are going to try and make this work. And after the display in the station today, I’m guessing that’s the case.”

“I told you she was moving in.”

“An actual relationship?”

I rolled my eyes, knowing he couldn’t see me. “Yes, I want her by my side for as long as she wants to be there.”

“Good. Just don’t do something fucking ridiculous, like not being honest about everything you do. She needs to know and be comfortable with all aspects of your life. Or you’ll regret it later when she leaves you.”

Dad knew what he’d been doing that night at his house.

“I’m taking her. She needs to know what she’s getting into, not just remembers from that first night.”

“Good.”

Leaning back against the cushions, I said, “I’ll make sure she keeps taking the self-defense lessons but I’ll start sending Brock with her when she goes somewhere, even with Lewis. Oh, and I want to increase security around the house as well.”

“I think that’s a very good idea.”

“Good. Now I gotta go. I need to make dinner for Elena. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know where we stand.”

Dad and I said our good-byes and hung up.

Walking down the stairs to the kitchen, I wondered if attacking Tolley that night pushed him even farther over the edge. Was it my fault she was in danger? Did being with me make him even crazier?

Either way, it was too late now.