Chapter 17
ALEX
After a sideways glance at Ava, Alex focused on the road ahead of them, his mind racing. With everything going on, turmoil brewed on every front.
His message to Raven sat waiting for a response. Each minute that passed without information put them in more and more danger. Simon was dead, and Ava had nearly been after her car accident.
Chris’s presence was like a wedge, steadily driving a divide not just between him and Ava, but unsettling every moment they shared, making their already complex situation even more volatile.
The words had almost escaped him twice–confessions of his deeper feelings for Ava–each interruption like a sign from fate, urging caution. Yet, each unsaid word added weight to his already heavy heart.
Maybe that was for the best. He slid his eyes sideways again to view her. He’d just brought up Chris’s shortcomings from his point of view, and Ava had shut down the conversation faster than he could blink.
She looked upset, though she had insisted she wasn’t upset with him. His mind went back to the time before the conversation. They’d curled up together to watch one of her romance movies. It had been so much like old times, but every time they’d talked, he’d been tense.
His fear over her being harmed coupled with his nervousness over their situation had stopped him from really enjoying their time together.
He desperately hoped to get more, but the outlook seemed grim.
He swung the car into the parking lot near the library and killed the engine, giving Ava a tentative glance. “You ready?”
She raised her chin, seeming to shove away the turmoil she’d displayed earlier. “Yeah, let’s do this.”
After a grin, he slipped out of the car and hurried to the passenger side to help her. He laced his fingers through hers, his heart pounded as he did it. “We’re a team. United front, right?”
“Right,” she said with a nod.
He sucked in a breath, pleased she hadn’t pulled her hand from his. Every tiny win felt huge to him at this moment. He wanted things to always remain this way, but he worried it wouldn’t.
The library’s cool, hushed atmosphere wrapped around them–a stark contrast to the storm of emotions roiling inside Alex. Each step was measured, his mind racing as they approached the Thriller section, the weight of their situation settling like a heavy cloak around his shoulders.
He pulled Ava closer, wrapping a protective arm around her.
Miranda paced between two shelves, twisting as they approached her. She grinned at Alex, the smile quickly slipping as she spotted Ava.
Her features pinched, her eyes going back to Alex’s, betrayal shining in them. Her voice dripped with disdain. “You brought Ava?”
The comment grated on him. Ava had been right not to like this woman. “Of course, I brought Ava. She’s my wife. And what you’re doing needs to stop.”
Miranda scoffed, her eyes flicking sideways as a mocking grin slid across her face. “Yeah. She’s your wife. In name only.”
Her eyes returned to his. “I know, Alex. I know all about how this marriage is fake.”
Alex tightened his grip around Ava’s waist, the words startling him. How could she have known?
His eyes slid to Ava, his features pinching. Would she admit it? They were about to get divorced, anyway.
Instead, she flicked her eyes to him, her features confused.
Emboldened by her quietness, Alex shook his head. “That’s crazy. I don’t know when you’re going to get it, but I’m married to Ava.”
Miranda settled her arms across her chest. “Yes, I understand that. I get that you two actually tied the knot, but that doesn’t mean this marriage is real.”
“Alex has told you in no uncertain terms that it is,” Ava answered.
Miranda ignored her, her eyes set on Alex only. “Are you really going to stand here and tell me that you two have a real marriage? She came out of nowhere–”
“I did not,” Ava objected, earning a shush from a nearby patron. “Sorry.”
“Ava’s right,” Alex said in a hushed tone. “We’ve been together since college.”
Her eyebrow arched. “Alex…I’d really like to speak with you alone.”
“I can’t believe this,” Ava squealed, keeping her voice low.
“Anything you have to say can be said in front of Ava. She is my wife, for real, whether you believe it or not.”
Miranda’s lips formed a pout.
Alex heaved a sigh, ready to tell her where she could stick her information when Ava spoke. “Fine. Have your private conversation.”
“No, Avs…” Alex began, his eyes going wide. Why was she doing this? Did she still think there was something going on between him and Miranda?
She patted his chest. “Ace, it’s fine.” She twisted to eye Miranda, her features morphing from understanding to unimpressed, a finger wagging at her. “I have a black belt in jiujitsu. You lay a finger on my husband, and you’ll wish you hadn’t.”
As Ava moved to step away, Alex’s instincts screamed. He reached out, grabbing her hand with a gentle, yet firm grip. The simple touch was a plea for her to stay, a silent testament to the fear racing through him. “Hey…”
Their eyes met, filled with unspoken words. She leaned closer to brush his lips with hers. “It’s okay.”
He twisted to follow her as she stalked to the end of the aisle and turned back, crossing her arms and arching an eyebrow at Miranda.
He slid his eyes closed, huffing out a breath before he turned back to face his CFO. “Okay, you got your way–only because Ava is amazing. Now, say what you have to say.”
“Oh, please stop with this wife worship. If Ava was so amazing, where has she been for all these years, huh?”
“Ava’s whereabouts aren’t any of your business. And I am getting really tired of explaining to you that she is my wife and I am not interested in anything with you or anyone else. I love Ava. I am in love with Ava. Period.”
Her eyes searched his, narrowing slightly before she spoke again. “Wow, I really think you may be. Do you care at all that she’s not at all into you?”
He swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure as the comment threatened to send him spiraling. Was Miranda correct or merely trying to throw him off? “Our relationship is none of your business.”
“Wow, so you don’t care. I always thought you were this really smart guy, but you’re completely duped by the blonde bimbo.”
His features twisted, heat entering his voice. “Ava is not a bimbo, and this conversation is over.”
“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.”
Alex huffed out a sigh. “You keep saying that, but you never have any information. This is over, Miranda.”
“Why? Because I hit at what’s actually going on? That your wife isn’t in love with you no matter how much you love her?”
He gritted his teeth, his nostrils flaring as he tried to shove the comment aside. “You have no idea what is going on between us, and no right to say anything. Unless you have something else to say, this is finished.”
“I do know what’s going on, Alex. She’s engaged to another man. Which is really for the best. You need to get rid of her.”
The words sent heat racing through him. How would Miranda have learned that information?
She must have read the confusion on his face. “I’m serious, Alex. Maybe you honestly love Ava, and if you do, you’ll get rid of her.”
His fingers curled into fists as he glared at her. “Or what?”
She leaned closer to him, her voice an ominous hiss. “Or we’ll finish what we started with that car accident.”
His heart hammered against his ribs as blood rushed through his ears. Dizziness made his head spin, the threat sinking in and worry consuming him. “Leave Ava alone. And leave me alone. You’re fired. Clear your stuff out and get out by the end of day tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “You’re making a huge mistake.”
“What do you want from me, Miranda? Or should I ask…what does your organization want?”
She stiffened, her jaw tightening. “You’ve lost your chance to be a part of this. Good luck, Alex. I actually liked you. I really wanted to work with you.”
She flicked her gaze to Ava at the end of the aisle. “Have fun with your choice. When she leaves you, don’t call me. This door is closed.”
After one final glare at him, she spun on a heel and stormed away.
Alex swallowed hard, the conversation settling around him like a tight noose. He ran a shaky hand through his hair as he paced back and forth.
A warm hand wrapped around his, drawing his attention. He snapped his gaze to Ava’s concerned face.
“Hey, what happened?” she asked.
His features pinched, worry coursing through him. Suddenly, he wanted to take her straight home and hire a security team to protect her.
“Alex?”
“We need to go,” he murmured, sliding an arm around her shoulders and striding toward the exit.
“Hey, Alex, slow down.”
“No, Ava. We need to get out of here.”
She grabbed his hand on her shoulder. “Hey, what happened?”
His chest constricted as Miranda’s words echoed in his mind. We’ll finish what we started.
His stomach twisted, bile rising in his throat. He couldn’t lose Ava…not like that. If he had to send her home with Chris, it would rip his heart to shreds, but he’d do it to save her life. He couldn’t handle it if anything happened to her.
They pushed into the waning sunshine, and he crossed straight to the car, helping her inside and racing to the driver side, sliding behind the wheel. With a trembling hand, he poked at the start button and threw it into gear.
The tires squealed as he peeled out of the spot, desperate to put as much distance between the library and them as possible.
“Whoa, Alex, what is going on?” Ava asked, her voice filled with concern.
His knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel, unable to voice his concerns.
He remained quiet for the rest of the short trip home.
After he slammed the car to a stop in the driveway, he hurried to retrieve her, half-dragging her into the house and slamming the door shut.
With all the locks engaged, he turned on the alarm system, sucking in heavy breaths.
Her hand gently slid onto his shoulder. “Alex? Hey, you need to take a breath.”