69. Hendricks
HENDRICKS
Aman waits at the top of the steps.
Ashford. I recognize him immediately. Expensive suit. No tie. Hands loose at his sides. The relaxed confidence of a man who has spent his entire life believing consequences are something that happen to other people.
His attention lands on Mandy and stays there.
Everything inside me goes still.
She walks beside me up the steps—not behind me. Never behind me.
Ashford smiles. "Mr. Hendricks."
"Ashford."
His gaze slides to Mandy again. "So you found her. I wasn’t sure you’d be able to."
Mandy smiles sweetly. "Apparently I'm terrible at hiding."
His smile disappears.
I almost feel bad leaving her with him. The man doesn’t know what he’s in for.
Ashford looks at me. "I was told you were good."
I nod. "I am."
"And discreet."
I tip my head. "When required."
His eyes narrow slightly, as if he thought I’d bow to him. He pulls out his phone. “I’ll transfer the remainder of the balance to you.”
I wait, hands relaxed at my sides, until Ashford shows me the transaction receipt on his screen.
He puts his phone away. “We’re settled. You can leave now.”
Every muscle in my body locks. I knew this moment was coming. Planned for it. Built everything around it.
Doesn’t make it any easier.
I look at Mandy. She meets my eyes—no fear, no hesitation. Just trust.
In me.
Christ.
I want to put my body between hers and Ashford’s. To take her home and lock every fucking door between her and the rest of the world.
Instead, I have to do the one thing that goes against every instinct I have where she’s concerned—leave her.
So I hold her gaze for one more second.
Then I turn my back on her.