Page 102 of Captivated By You

A frown drifted across his face. “Who?”

“Remember the waiter at Kingcaid Chicago said that he thought Simon had a fling with a receptionist who’d since left?”

“I do.”

“Well, her. She was another of his victims.”

“Wow.” His lips twisted. “How did you find her?”

I grimaced. “Yeah, see that’s the thing I need to tell you.”

Ash canted his head. “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”

“I asked Johannes to locate her.”

“Johannes?” Several lines popped up on Ash’s forehead. “As in my brother?”

“One and the same.”

His lips thinned, displeasure evident. “Why go to him and not me?”

“Didn’t you listen to a word I said?” I grazed my teeth over his bottom lip, eliciting a soft moan. “If I’d come to you, then you’d have swooped in and stunted all that growing we talked about. I love you, Ash, but you care about me, and you wouldn’t have been able to stop yourself.”

“Fair enough,” he reluctantly agreed. “I hope he didn’t upset you.”

“Upset me?” I shook my head. “Nah. He’s still a jerk, though.” I moved in for another kiss, then climbed off his lap and crooked my finger at him. “I think you owe me a few orgasms.”

Ash chuckled, rising to his feet. “Whatever you want.”

Chapter30

Asher

Three months later…

When a diamond sparkles right in front of you, grab it with both hands and hold on tight.

I placedmy hand on top of Kiana’s bouncing leg, and she fired me a crooked grin.

“Sorry. It’s the nerves.”

“You’re fine. It’ll be fine.”

“What if they didn’t believe me? Or the others?”

I slid a hand around the back of her neck and squeezed. “Baby, they will.”

“Of course they will,” Jessica replied, sitting on Kiana’s other side and in the process of shredding a tissue. The bits cascaded to the floor like snowfall.

I glanced along the row filled with women who’d come forward after a police appeal following their investigation into Barlow and the numerous videos they’d found on his computer, all of women filmed at their most vulnerable. If I had my way, the guy wouldn’t see the light of day ever again.

The case had come to trial in record time. On occasion, it paid to have friends in high places, and I felt no remorse for using my contacts in this way. When it came to Kiana and her well-being, I’d burn everything to the ground. I didn’t want this case hanging over her for months, dragging on in the midst of planning our wedding.

As the jury foreperson rose, Kiana held her breath and squeezed her eyes closed. I ran my thumb along the goose bumps that had risen on her neck. And then I, too, closed my eyes.

As the word “guilty” rang out through the courtroom, Kiana gasped, her shoulders curving inward. I pulled her to me as a round of applause echoed through the courtroom.

Fuck.

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