Page 3 of Trial of Deceit

“Ashari, don’t do what you’re thinking,” he advised, and her grip tightened around the phone.

“I gave this too much time.Why would I leave now?”she asked, flicking a glance to the headlights that hit her eyes through the side mirror.

“I can’t protect you if you go back.Pull over.Now.”

A tear almost fell from Ashari’s eye as vivid flashbacks played in her mind.“Senior, I need to do this.I’m sorry.I’ll deal with whatever repercussions after.And if I don’t make it out alive… this is what you would’ve done, too.”Ashari ended the call.She floored the gas pedal until the headlights were no longer visible.She was sure dust was left in her wake as she blazed down the abandoned road.

The dashboard’s clock read seven thirty.

It wasn’t possible to arrive at the estate by eight, but damn it — this consequence would only be hers to pay.

Holding her head high, Ashari straightened her shoulders before exiting the room.She took calculated, ladylike steps toward the railing, then paused to stare at the formal gathering below.

There was an ice fountain, investors and guests of the highest echelons, and servers dressed in all black weaving through the patrons with silver trays of hors d’oeuvres in their hands.

A specific pair of eyes were on her, but she didn’t glance in their direction.She wasn’t ready to face them yet.

Ashari looked away from the gathering and wrapped her fingers around the railing.Its coolness seeped into her fingertips.She let go of it and turned to dismount the spiral staircase, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

With each step, her heart raced faster.

She made the turn, and there he was.

Jediah Richardson.

The man who desired things he didn’t deserve.Lavish houses.Fancy Cars.

Her.

She resisted the urge to lick her lips.It’d soil her red lipstick, and her appearance had to be picture perfect.

She continued down the stairs, her breath hitching as she dared to look Jediah in the eyes.The cause of her torment was a sight to behold in a black, tailor-made tux.He moved his arms from behind his back as she reached the bottom stair, holding out a hand to her.

Ashari released the railing to lay her hand in his.A series of flashes from cameras went off.Jediah smirked as he lowered his head, bringing the back of Ashari’s hand close to his lips to place a chaste kiss against it.

Ashari sucked in a sharp breath.Jediah smirked against her skin as he pulled back.His face blanked, the dash of amusement fading from his eyes.He kept quiet as she took the final step off the stairs.Patrons cleared the way as Jediah held Ashari captive in his stare and led her toward the middle of the dance floor.Stopping, Jediah wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her close and making a grunt escape her lips as her body pressed against his.As she placed her arms over his shoulders, his fingers dug into her waist.

“Aren’t you beautiful tonight, Ashari Payne?”Jediah taunted, his voice smooth.

“I try to be, Mr.Richardson,” she answered while glancing at a man standing at one of the exits.She gulped at the man’s glare before shifting her focus to Jediah, who’d squeezed her waist.

“I’d call you Mrs.Richardson, but you’re not deserving of the name anymore, are you?”

Her eyes flickered to her hand.“The ring says otherwise.”

His jaw ticked, and she smirked.

Her smirk didn’t vanish fast enough for him to not see.

“Let’s go have a chat, Ash.”Jediah wrapped one arm around her waist, forcing her to take long strides with him toward an exit.

The man opened the door.He trailed behind them as Jediah led them down several hallways until they were in a dungeon.

Jediah released her once the door slammed shut behind them.His fingers curled around her neck as he forced her against the cold ridges of the stone wall.“I should kill you right now.”

“So do it,” she gritted out.

“Weh the recordings?”