Page 2 of Lone Spy

The clunk of a car door opening. Ash leans down and tosses me into a vehicle. I land with a thud, tumbling half off the seat. Ash consumes the space next to me, the door slams shut, and the SUV barrels forward, throwing me against the seat.

I can't breathe. My fingers claw at my bodice, useless and numb. Ash's arm wraps around my waist and hefts me closer. Thick fingers slip between me and the gown. He rips it, buttons popping, exploding off me as the fabric gives.

Air rushes into my lungs. I hang over Ash's arm, taking in deep breaths, my vision quickly clearing. My forearms rest on the black leather seat, my gown flopped around me. Ash's hot breath hits my naked back. The tires hum under us.

“Zade and Jeremy,” I wheeze out, asking after my makeup artist and publicist—my friends. "Where are they?" I'm staring down at my hands through vision blurred by tears. Ash doesn't respond, and I turn to look over my shoulder at him.

He's staring straight ahead, suit askew from how I lean on his arm. Ash's tie is loosened and collar tweaked, his jaw tight, cheeks stained with color, sweat making his skin shine.

"Ash?" My voice comes out a strained, frightened whisper. A part of my brain automatically notes where it came from in my chest; the tortured emotion in that one word is powerful and I need to save it, use it again for my craft.

Ash swallows. I push up and he moves, seeming to break from the spell that held him. Ash pulls back, still not looking at me.

I gather my dress around my chest and shift to create space between us so I can face him, my bodice crushed against me, the back of my dress still splayed open. The diamond choker around my neck hangs heavy.

Cold air winds up my spine. "We left them back there," I say. "Are they okay?"

He finally looks at me and it burns me the way ice does. He’s dangerously cold. "You are my only concern." His voice is a monotone rumble, emotionless and terrifying.

I know he doesn't mean me. Not really. The only value I hold is what his superior assigns me. His allegiance is to Temperance. I'm just an asset to him.

Ash shifts, shrugging his suit jacket off one shoulder, exposing the pistol tucked under his arm. I tense, my fingers digging into the intricate beading of my ruined dress as my heart thuds against my breast.

He sheds the jacket. I stare at Ash's broad chest, at the tie pin shining at its center. He engulfs his side of the seat. I swallow the fear trying to devour me. Ash is so big and I'm so vulnerable.

Ash's hand extends, holding the jacket, and it takes all my will power not to shrink away from him. "Angela?" he says, his voice low and edged with something that sounds like concern.

I meet his gaze—it still burns with that icy coldness. "Take my jacket," he says. I blink, his meaning breaking through. I'm half exposed in a torn dress, and he is offering me coverage.

With one hand still pressing my dress into place, I take his jacket. It seems to grow in my hand—it looked normal in his and swallows mine. I throw it over one shoulder but can't spread it across my back without letting go of my bodice.

Ash watches me, his expression empty. One giant hand reaches out, and I can't help flinching back this time. He stills. "Let me help you?" The subtle strain in his voice shocks some part of me into submission.

That tone…I need to remember that. It sounded so desperate and yet so controlled. Like a soldier refusing to admit state secrets as his captors torment him.

I nod my consent. Ash reaches forward again, gently holding the edges of the jacket. Heat wafts off him as he wraps it slowly over my naked shoulders. The silk lining slides against my spine. "You're safe," he says, his breath brushing against my hair. "Everything is okay now."

I let out a startled laugh, and his gaze drops to mine. We’re close, our faces only inches apart, his hands still at my sides, gently holding his jacket. “It won’t work, you know?” Ash blinks his confusion down at me. “Trying to make me feel protected, when we both know I’m disposable.” My voice comes out as chilled as his cobalt gaze.

ChapterTwo

Ash risesfrom the living room couch as I step out of the bedroom of the hotel suite. The studio put up key members of the cast and crew at the Chateau Marmont for the premiere.

About an hour ago, Ash escorted me in through the back entrance reserved for celebrities, his suit jacket draped around me like a cloak. We rode up the private elevator in tense silence.

I've changed into a silk suit in a bold geometric pattern of yellow, purple, and black, designed by a young up-and-comer—someone my ex-boyfriend, Julian, introduced me to early in our romance.

We broke up over a year ago, but Julian’s influence is still evident in so many corners of my life. Just last week, I found one of his T-shirts in my closet. I pulled it to my face, hoping to find a hint of his scent, but there was nothing left.

Ash's gaze runs over my body, quickly assessing my outfit. The suit is not only beautiful, it's also very easy to move in. This I can run in, fight in. I won't need anyone to rip it off me.

"Going somewhere?" Ash asks. He’s in his white dress shirt, tie loosened. The tie pin remains centered on his chest, taunting me, reminding me…that ship with its eagle protector was all I could see.

"Your jacket," I say, dragging my eyes back up to his face. "Let me get it for you." He doesn't respond as I dip back into the bedroom. When I return, he's standing right outside the door.

"Thank you.” I look up, holding out the jacket—I don't need to press it to my nose to smell him. Even after a shower and putting on my perfume, Ash's scent is still burned into my senses.

"Of course.” He takes it from me. "Going somewhere?" he asks again, as he shrugs into the jacket.

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