Page 122 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

Chapter 30

“What the hell do youthink you’re doing, Pete?” I snapped at Woodrow.

The man had nerve abusing his submissive, hurting my girl, and then calling me while he stood on my property.

I knew I’d be out of town for a week while I spent time with Alice, so I’d asked Tricia to keep my home in DC for me. She had been all too eager to help me out, as she was trying to regain some of her independence. This was a good exercise for her, and I’d assumed she wouldn’t run into any issues other than collecting my mail and dealing with the neighbor’s obnoxious dog who liked to shit in my yard. But now Peter Woodrow was on my front porch, shouting about being let in.

I glanced at Alice. She was already freaking out, her eyes lost, her eyebrows lowered, breathing slowly, like she was counting her breaths.

Stay with her, or step away? Touch her, or back off? I didn’t know, so I paced.

“I don’t know how you did it, Weston, but I know you stole that stuff from my house the night we went out, and I know you have her!”

“Who did you hear that from?”

“One of my closest friends said they heard your people talking about Alice, and saying she was with you. I swear to God, Reuben, if you’re keeping her—”

I stopped pacing, clenching my fist in an effort to control myself. “Are you threatening me, Pete? Because let’s be honest about who has the upper hand here. You and I both know that contracts don’t hold up in court. Rachel is more than willing to testify against you and your friends, and I’m beginning to think that might be a good idea. I don’t know if Alice will, but between the two of them and their testimonies of abuse, Alice’s documented injuries after her escape, her statement to the police, and the photos I took of Rachel’s bruises, you’re looking at a lot of jail time.”

“She’s mine, Reuben! She’s mywife! She was safe with me! Sane! Peaceful! She washappy! She married me!”

“Under duress!And then she ran after you refused to let her go. Peter, I’m warning you... you stay away from me, Alice, and the rest of my girls, or I’ll send Lindsay back after you. And she won’t just steal stuff. She’ll have a field day re-breaking your nose, and every other bone in your body.”

“So nowyou’rethreateningme.”

In the background I could hear sirens. Tricia had called the cops, thank God.

“Get off my property. Stay away from me and my people. That includes The Lounge and all of my businesses.”

“Good fucking luck, Weston,” he spat. “I’ll get my wife back. Even if you have her, just know... that girl can never be tamed. I know your type. You’ll kick her out in a week. And when you do, I’ll be the one to pick up the pieces and put her back together. She always comes back to me, and she always will.”

I laughed and stopped pacing. “She’s not your girl. She’s mine. She always has been, and she always will be.” Then I hung up and shoved my phone back in my pocket.

Alice was breathing a little too fast. I put my hand on her shoulder and she jumped, letting out a cry of pain, almost as if I’d burned her. She covered her head with her arms and ducked down, curling into a ball on the ottoman where she sat.

My poor, broken doll.

I didn’t want to make it worse, so I knelt beside the ottoman, watching her carefully. Should I call an ambulance? Give her space?

She was whispering something. I couldn’t hear her, so I leaned in close and held my breath.

“Scarlett. Scarlett. Scarlett.”

“Shit.”

What the hell was I supposed to do? I followed my gut, and sat back in my armchair, pulling her into my lap and wrapping my arms around her. Almost instantly her arms relaxed, and she pressed her face into my chest.Good girl.

“You’re okay, Alice. You’re safe. He’s not here. It’s just you and me, sweetheart.” I spoke to her quietly while I held her, listening to her breathing even out.

After a few minutes, she looked up at me with her big glassy rainbow eyes. She didn’t say anything, just stared at me, and then reached up and brushed her hand against my beard.

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