Page 68 of Midnight Secrets

“Excuse me.” I went to push past him to go back into the exhibition room.

“I don’t fucking think so.” He shoved me into the wall face-first, his body caging mine in. I smelt the stale alcohol on his breath as his face moved too close to me. “Call your attack dogs off or I will destroy you.”

“Get your hands off me,” I demanded, trying to wiggle free.

“Women like you make men use the wrong head. Maybe I should have a taste of what has broken through that ice cold exterior of a Blackwood.” His hand slipped down my front until he found my pelvis. “I’m sure he won’t mind me playing with his little toy.”

Nigel was ripped away from me violently, his back hitting the wall beside me, Ash towering over him with his hand gripping his throat. Nigel desperately tried to prise Ash’s fingers away. There was nothing left of the gentle man who’d held me and whispered to me in the darkness. This man was barely controlled rage and hatred.

“I think you’ll find that I do mind you touching her,” Ash grated out from between clenched teeth. “I’ve killed men for less.”

Nigel’s feet desperately tried to reach the ground and his face burned bright red. His mouth opened and closed but he couldn’t get any words out.

“If I even see you looking in Lucrezia’s direction, I won’t go after your business, Nigel. I will personally tear you physically to pieces until there is nothing left of you to identify. Do you understand me?” Ash’s hand around his throat flexed and I saw Nigel try to nod.

Ash released him to fall in a crumpled heap on the floor, gasping for breath. He glared up at us as he struggled to his feet. Without warning, Ash punched him, sending him tumbling back to the floor before he kicked him in the stomach.

“Don’t go anywhere fucking near her again. Understand?” Ash sneered.

Confused was an understatement of how I was feeling right now. I stared up at Ash as he tucked my hair behind my right ear, his knuckles sweeping down the side of my face. He didn’t ask me how I was feeling, instead he studied me with that predatory precision that left me naked to his scrutiny.

His fingers weaved themselves with mine as he tugged me beside him to return to the hall. Jordan’s attention snapped in our direction and Ash jerked his head in the direction of the door. Without a word, Jordan moved toward it. Something told me that Nigel was going to find it difficult to walk tomorrow.

Monica was waiting for me, and Ash nonchalantly stood behind me talking to people who were viewing all the displays. His easy manner put people at ease and was in direct contrast to the man who’d overpowered Nigel in the hall.

“I think you’re supposed to wander around and view the other displays to make friends with the other artists.” His voice vibrated against the sensitive skin where my shoulder met my throat to send shivers rippling down my back.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled all my armour in place and linked my fingers through his. If I was having to go and meet new people, he could do his part as my business partner and be there too. Some of the other artists looked at me as if I’d crawled out from under a rock, some of the others chatted to me about their nerves of being here, while a few others commented on my display.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the models will be wearing some of the signature pieces of the artists, so please take time to watch the fashion parade,” Fred announced and people started to take their positions closer to the red carpet. I had to help Monica change her jewellery a few times, so headed to my display area to ensure the next set was ready.

As I moved away, Ash lifted my arm and kissed the pulse at my wrist. “No wandering off.”

The rest of the night passed in a blur with jewellery store owners and private collectors appearing. This was the part of a business that needed someone with financial or legal knowledge. Ash and Jordan both kept talking and typing into their phones, arranging meetings for a business that was over after tonight.

I knew that I would have a model working for me tonight, so I had crafted a thank you gift for Monica. It was a necklace using the same metalwork as the collection but with semi-precious gemstones that I had carefully selected.

“Thank you so much for being such a beautiful model. I made you a gift.” I pressed the velvet box into her hands with a smile.

“You’re a very talented artist. I wish you lots of success.” She nodded at Ash. “It looks like your boyfriend is already sorting that success out for you.”

It was at that moment Ash decided to look up, his eyes meeting mine. There was a vulnerability there before he masked it again and glanced away.

“Some girls get all the luck.” Monica sighed. “A fabulous career and a hot man who adores you. Thanks again.” She held the box up and moved away.

I was more confused than ever and waves of exhaustion washed over me. I knew what I wanted, it was the same as I’d always wanted. The problem was that I just didn’t know how to convince Ash to take a chance on us.

***

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ash

That moment from the hall replayed over and over in my head like a steam train coming into the station. I wanted to go out there and finish what I’d started and kill that sanctimonious fucker who dared to touch what belonged to me.

Tonight Lucrezia reminded me of a rare and delicate orchid. Her beauty and innocence shone into the room more than any floodlight here. Men watched her and women envied her. Throughout it all, she never once seemed to realise the amount of attention she gained or the number of photographs taken of her.

Lucas Black may not have known of his daughter’s career before this, but by tomorrow morning, he would be more than aware and baying for blood.

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