Page 161 of Brutal Collateral

The crowd is a mixture of guests both standing around and sitting at tables. When I get to Table 1, I’m halted by the vision of Ava sitting there wearing the black wedding dress with what looks like a tiara on her head.

Her elbows on the table, she sits with her jaw in one hand and stares into space. She looks fuckingmiserable.

I pick up my pace and notice Ares sitting next to her looking regal as ever with his legs crossed and an arm draped over the back of Ava’s chair. He’s talking to someone to his right, ignoring his sister.

I’m steps away when my mere presence hits her, like our souls connect. She looks up, and the rush of relief and joy on her face hits me like a blow.

My anger vanishes in a heartbeat.

There’s an explanation for all of this. She’s a mass of complicated contradictions, even if she acts simple on the surface. She’s also deadly, and I often have to remind myself she can kill me in seven different ways and in a matter of seconds.

Every day that I wake up next to her is a gift. Literally. The gift of life.

Seeing me, Ava pushes away from the table, prompting Ares to whip his head around. He reaches for her when she bolts from the chair, but I keep my gaze trained on him. Our eyes meet and he glares at me. At her submissionto me.

That’s right. She’s mine.

Ava dives into my arms. “Oh, thank God. I handed in the donation. Can we leave, please?”

I brush my hand across her chin, my eyes studying every inch of her. “What in God’s name is on your head?”

“Ares brought it for me to wear. Some family heirloom,” she scoffs and reaches for it.

“No. Don’t...” I keep it on her head and peer into her eyes. “I need to talk to you.”

Her mouth forms a little o. “Is something wrong?”

“Something is very wrong, siren.”

She steps back. “What have I done now?”

“Not here.” I take her hand and lead her into the lobby.

“Boss?” Zeke is there immediately, looking for directions from me.

“Where can I talk to my wifealone?” I emphasize the word because this conversation is going to end with my pants around my ankles while I fuck her.

“Follow me,” Zeke says and stalks off toward the back of the lobby.

He knocks on the door to a private lounge where two people are sitting on a sofa talking. “Out. Now,” Zeke barks at them.

Surprisingly, they scurry away. No questions asked.

Zeke holds the door for me. “I’ll post right here.”

“No one comes in. Do you understand? Especially her brother.”

“Griffin?” Ava gasps. “What’s going on?”

I nudge her inside and lean against the back of the closed door. “Rand Miller is in a wheelchair. Said he’s paralyzed because of you.”

“A wheelchair? I didn’t see a wheelchair.” She steps back, swishing the dress to the side.

“You said you saw him in a restaurant. At the bar. Was he standing?”

She blinks and paces. “He was... He was on the other side of the bar. I assumed he was standing. You don’t immediately think someone is in a wheelchair when you can’t see their legs.”

“What happened, Ava? You said you thought he was dead. What did you do to him?” I can’t tell her yet about Miller’s threat to take her away from me.

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