Page 123 of Fragile Sanctuary

Anson chuckled, low and menacingly. “Hardly. But you couldn’t handle the rejection, so you came back here and played the part of rich tech king. Only you aren’t rich, are you, Davy?”

Davis’s teeth ground together, his fists clenching at his sides.

“You’redrowningin debt. In fact, that BMW is two weeks away from repossession, and that house of yours is about to go into foreclosure. So, no wonder you were so determined to move in with Rho. It was her or back in with your parents.”

I gaped at Davis, remembering how hard he’d pushed me to sell the house and move into a modern build together. It had been way too early, but he wouldn’t stop bringing it up.

“I could sue you for slander,” Davis snarled.

Anson shrugged. “It’s only slander if it’s a lie, Davy. And I have all the proof I need to back this up.” His eyes narrowed on my ex. “And I can keep digging. I have resources you can only dream of. And you and I both know there’s more dirt to uncover.”

A muscle in Davis’s cheek fluttered wildly, telling me that was true.

“So, leave,” Anson ordered. “And don’t come back. If you see Rho in town, you’ll keep right on walking. She does not exist for you. Crawl back into your pathetic hole, and don’t come out. Because if you do, I will rip apart your life, piece by piece.”

Vitriol shot from Davis’s eyes. “You two deserve each other.”

Anson simply grinned at that. “Thanks, Davy. So nice of you to say.”

Davis just glared before turning on his heel and stalking back to his car.

Duncan lifted both hands from where he leaned against his truck and started to clap.

I burst out laughing.

Anson stalked toward me, pulling me into his arms and kissing me deeply. His tongue stroked mine, demanding better access as if he were desperate to sear my taste into his memory.

When he finally pulled back, I struggled to catch my breath. I searched his stormy gaze. “You okay?”

“I hate that prick.”

I brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead. “You didn’t say anything about looking into him.”

Anson’s mouth thinned. “Because I’m looking into everyone in your orbit.” I shivered at that, and he pulled me tighter against him. “I’m not taking any chances. You mean too much to me.”

I wanted to mean something to Anson. Relished that. But I hated the price he had to pay for it. Because I knew going down this road meant he had to face every demon that lurked there. And the price might be too high for him to pay.

40

ANSON

I stoodat the back doors, looking at the beautiful garden Rho had created and taking in the landscape beyond it. The sharp mountain peaks, the intricate rock faces. It was beyond stunning. But it was more. Somewhere along the line, it had started to feel like home.

Arms wrapped around my waist from behind as Rho pressed her cheek to my back. “Hi.”

My mouth curved as I covered her hands with mine. “Hi.”

We stood like that for a long time, neither of us needing to say a word. The comfort was in the easy silence.

Finally, I twisted in Rho’s hold, wrapping my arms around her, as well, and dropping a kiss on her forehead. Then I really took her in. God, she was gorgeous. Her mahogany hair fell in waves over her shoulders, but she’d taken pieces on either side of her head and braided them into a delicate crown.

She wore a hint of makeup. Rosy cheeks. Something that madethe green in her eyes pop. And a gloss on her lips that had me wanting to nip the bottom one.

“You’re beautiful.”

Rho’s expression softened, a tender smile pulling at her mouth. “It’s rare for me to get cleaned up these days.”

“Maybe we need to find a few more excuses to do that.” Hell, I hadn’t even taken Rho on a proper date.

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