Page 52 of His Prize

“It’s done,” Ash said.

I whipped around and saw her standing next to the couch.

“Didn’t hear me come in?” she asked.

I grinned. “Your footsteps have always been silent.”

She nodded to the window. “My reflection. You should’ve seen it.”

I nodded slowly. “Maybe so.”

We stared at one another in silence before I cleared my throat.

“What would you do?” I asked.

Ash blinked. “What, ma’am?”

“Right now, in this scenario. What would you do?”

“I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer that.”

I took a step toward her. “I’m asking you anyway. If the man you loved could possibly be saved by marrying his brother, would you do it? Would you take that chance?”

“Honestly?”

“I’d want nothing else.”

She smirked. “You fought for this position all by yourself, Miss Moretti. And you haven’t yet asked for help from anyone. You’ve followed your gut, and it’s kept you alive.”

“It also has Israel in handcuffs right now.”

“What I’m trying to say is: you’ve gotten this far on your judgment. Don’t start questioning it now.”

“One could argue that my judgment is what created this situation in the first place.”

She shook her head. “No, ma’am. Falling in love created this situation. But even so, the two of you have succeeded in ways no one would have ever predicted. Your gut is good enough. So, as long as you stick with it, I know it won’t steer you wrong.”

I turned back toward the window. “I sincerely hope you’re right, Ash.”

For all of our sakes.

22

Israel

“Oh, fuck,”the officer murmured.

“That who I think it is?” the other officer questioned.

I grinned when I saw my lawyer standing in front of the police station.

“Gentlemen, you can unhand my client now,” he said.

The officer snickered. “Under what authority?”

My lawyer brandished a folder of paperwork. “Illegal seizure of evidence, tampering with witness testimony, and bribery.”

One officer scoffed. “In your fucking dreams.”

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