Page 67 of Dangerous Secret

“Is that the ex?”

“Yep.” Although Ronnie didn’t know the full story, he knew she had an ex that showed up sometimes. “It would be best if you walked away from me.”

“I don’t think so.” He kept his arm around her shoulders. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t make sure a lady was safe?”

“You don’t underst—” Her breath caught in her throat when Grayson stepped out of the car. His gaze locked on her before shifting to Ronnie and the arm he had around her. “He’s…” She’d almost explained that Ronnie was just a friend, but she wasn’t supposed to know Grayson. It was a good thing she’d seen his new appearance, otherwise she might have given them away with her reaction.

Grayson opened the back door for Anthony to step out, and she recognized that expression on his face. It was the same look of possessiveness and anger that she had seen far too many times before.

Tension bristled between the three men. Why was this her life? “What do you want, Anthony?”

“I want to know who the hell he is.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but he’s a friend.” She darted a glance at Grayson. He stood straight with his hands behind his back, his expression blank. She’d never seen him look so cold and remote before.

“A friend?” Anthony took an aggressive step toward Ronnie. “I don’t tolerate men sniffing around my wife.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m not your wife, isn’t it? Why are you here?” She really wished Ronnie would leave and not put himself in Anthony’s sights. No good could come of it. There would be no talking sense into Anthony, and she needed to remove Ronnie from the situation before it got ugly. “Let’s go inside,” she said to Ronnie.

“Good idea.”

It would have been a great idea if Anthony hadn’t grabbed her arm as they tried to walk around him. She attempted to pull it free, but he tightened his grip. “Let go of me.”

Grayson made a sound, a low growl, and panic welled inside her. He was about to step in, and she had to do something. If he outed himself trying to protect her, she’d lose her chance of getting Tyler back.

The trick with Anthony was to let him think he’d won, and although she’d promised herself when she left that she’d never cower before him again, it was the only thing she could think of doing. He was glaring at Ronnie, and she chanced the moment when his gaze wasn’t on her to try to send a message to Grayson. She gave a slight shake of her head and prayed that he got the message and that he understood the plea in her eyes not to interfere. His lips thinned in frustration, but he dipped his chin.

She folded in on herself, letting her arm go limp. “I’msorry, Anthony,” she said in the spineless voice she’d hoped never to hear again. A voice and words she hated because they brought back memories she’d tried so hard to put behind her.

His grip on her arm loosened ever so slightly. “Get in the car.” When she hesitated, he tightened his fingers around her arm again. “Just to talk privately, Harlow.”

“Okay, but just to talk.” God, she hated that meek voice. The last thing she wanted was to be closed up in a vehicle with him. If it wasn’t for Grayson, Anthony would have to physically put her in the car. But Grayson was here, and he wouldn’t let Anthony hurt her or take her away, so she obeyed.

“Hey now,” Ronnie said as she was sliding onto the back seat. “You don’t have to listen to him.”

“I’m all right. Please, go home.”

When he moved toward her, Grayson stepped in front of him. “Do as the lady says.”

“This isn’t right.” Ronnie’s gaze sought hers. “Do you want me to call the police?”

“No. Really, everything’s okay. I promise.”Just please leave.

Grayson used his bigger body to herd Ronnie away. “This isn’t your problem,” she heard him quietly say to Ronnie. “Go home before you make it worse.”

She startled when Anthony got into the car and closed the door. She scooted to the other side until she was hugging the door. Her gaze was drawn back to Grayson and Ronnie. Grayson was walking him toward the building, and she wondered what he was saying to Ronnie.

“Who is he?” Anthony said.

She needed to be careful and not let him see her payGrayson any attention. “Just a kid, a neighbor. He’s no one and nothing to me, all right?”

“He had his hand on you.”

“Why do I have to keep reminding you that we’re divorced? That you have no right to tell me what I can do and not do.”

“Divorce be damned. You’re my wife. It’s time to stop this foolishness and come home.”

“You don’t love me, so why do you care?”

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