Chapter 14 #3
“He wants to show Katarina that we’re together, that’s all,” I say because it’s the most obvious explanation. Barrett had said that was why we were having guests – even if he did hold back the small detail of who he was bringing home. “He wants her to stop hounding him.”
“And she’ll use the invite as an opportunity to find out what she can about him, and you,” Ash adds. “She can easily outsmart Barrett, and I can guarantee he’ll willingly hand over information just to get her off his back, especially if it’s information she can use against me.”
“I’m sure you can handle Katarina,” I bite back. I bet he’d enjoy trying.
“I can’t handle her finding out about Piper,” Ash says, his voice even deeper. “We need to get our daughter out of that house.”
The phone almost slips from my hand. This is all happening too fast. I’m still trying to digest what Quinn told me.
“Belle,” Ash continues. “I want you to phone Tandy and tell her to take Piper to the main gates. We have a team ready to pick her up, and they’ll bring her to you.
Ideally, I’d like you to come back here to Chicago, but if you don’t want to do that, Maddie has a house in Brimstage you can use.
Or we can put you in a Moncrief hotel of your choice.
We’ll figure everything else out afterwards. Please, Belle. Say you understand.”
I’m ready to agree on the spot because Ash is giving me no time to think. It’s a repeat of how he reacted at the refuge. It’s as if he wants me to panic.
That’s exactly what he’s trying to do. And I’ve had enough of men using me as their pawn.
“Oh, I understand,” I say, keeping my voice low so the other diners can’t overhear.
“You want me to follow your orders without question. Well, I’m sorry, Ash, but after speaking to Quinn, I’m questioning everything.
Do you seriously think I’m going to ask Tandy to hand my daughter over to your men? ”
“It’s right for you to be suspicious, I get that,” Ash says. “But you have to trust me, sweetheart.”
A shiver runs down my spine that isn’t unpleasant. Is he talking to me like that on purpose, to lower my defenses? Is it another part of his trap? “Don’t call me that. I’m not your sweetheart. And I don’t trust you.”
“Belle…”
My expression must darken because the three people standing in front of me tense. They know Ash isn’t going to like what I’m about to say.
“It’s funny how every time we speak, there’s a crisis to deal with, and it’s starting to feel an awful lot like scare tactics,” I tell Ash. “Once again, you’re claiming Piper is at risk, and once again it involves Katarina. How was your date, by the way? Did you come up with this plan together?”
“Damn it, don’t do this.”
“Go to hell, Ash. I’m not handing Piper over to you. What I am going to do is go home and see how this plays out. And if I need to leave, I’ll do it without your help, and without your say so.”
“No, sweetheart, you won’t,” he growls. “I’m not letting you go this time.”
Quinn’s mouth moves silently, but I read her lips. “Fuck.”
“If you don’t trust me, fine,” Ash continues, his voice perfectly controlled.
“But if you try to leave Poulton Springs on your own, you won’t get far.
And you just better hope that it’s me who finds you first, because if it’s the Russians, you’ll see exactly what I’m capable of.
” His voice grows louder and more lethal “I’ll burn a trail all the way to Russia to get you and my daughter back if I have to, so don’t test me, Belle.
And don’t block my number. Don’t give me the excuse I’m looking for to come over there and get you. ”
The power behind his words hits me so hard that I sway backwards, but I rock on my heels and right myself.
I’m done being scared. If Katarina is on her way, I need to get back before everyone arrives.
I need to be prepared, and I need to calm myself enough not to punch Barrett in the fucking nose as soon as I see him.
For him to agree to the visit is bad enough, but to give me no warning is beyond belief. If it’s true.
“If I leave now, is anyone going to stop me?” I ask Ash.
The blast of his exhale reverberates down the line. “First you need to promise not to block my number.”
I glance to the door. Even if I made it outside, there’s another man standing beside the SUV waiting to grab me. “Fine, I won’t block your number, but don’t think for a minute that means I’m about to take orders from you.”
“Noted,” he says, then proceeds to give me orders.
“You’ll go back to the mansion, and you’ll put on a show for Katarina.
Talk about Ethan and make a point of saying Piper takes after him.
Don’t let her suspect otherwise, because no, we’re not in league together.
She knows nothing about me and you as far as I’m aware, but she will probe you about me just to see how you react.
” He leaves a pause before adding, “You might need to work on keeping a lid on that jealousy.”
The burn in my cheeks is just anger, I tell myself. “Is that it?”
“Ray Forsyth isn’t the worst choice if you need help. He doesn’t agree with everything Barrett does,” Ash says. “But if you don’t feel safe, you call me. Say it, Belle.”
I purse my lips.
“You used to be better at using your voice,” he reminds me, his voice dangerously soft. “Say it.”
“I’ll call you,” I say, but the words catch in my throat.
Before Ash can respond, I thrust the phone into Jake’s hand. “Let me through.”
Jake clears a path, but as I’m about to pass, he puts a hand on my arm.
“It’s my job to protect you and Piper,” he says.
He perches his sunglasses on top of his head so I can see his eyes.
“And as far as I’m concerned, I answer to you, not Ash.
If you need me to do something, or take you somewhere, all you have to do is ask.
” We both hear Ash barking his name, the phone line still open.
Quinn takes the phone from Jake. “Let me deal with him.”
I kiss Quinn’s cheek and direct a scowl at Reid before turning to Jake again. “Thank you.”
His eyes dance with mischief. “In all the years I’ve worked with Ash, he never once bought me a jelly donut. Now, go home to your daughter. A team will be following you, but they won’t interfere.”
As I leave, I feel a brief moment of relief knowing I have Jake as an ally. And then I remember what I’m about to walk into and my legs almost buckle.