Page 48 of Crashed
He heard Alex suck in a sharp breath behind him a second before she charged forward. “You spiteful cow.”
He grabbed Alex around the waist and hauled her back.
“Have you finished?” he said to Emily, looking down at her and wondering what he’d ever seen in her. And how the hell he’d ever escape the twisted cycle they were locked in, allowing this woman to mess with his life. Emily shrugged, looking extremely pleased with herself. Her gaze moved to Alex, and she smirked.
When he turned to face Alex, he knew why. The look on her face terrified him, made his gut twist. What are you thinking, baby? Emily was a bitch, but Alex had dealt with far worse.
Jesus, he needed to get her away from these vultures.
“Would you mind giving me a minute alone with Emily?”
Alex didn’t say a word, just pulled out of his arms and headed back to the dressing room. Her easy compliance alarmed him more than anything else.
“Oh, look, she’s obedient as well,” Tammy said.
He spun around and pinned his ex-wife’s friend with a look that had silenced more than one asshole in the boardroom. “You’re a nasty?—”
“Deacon.” Emily placed her hand on his arm and squeezed, successfully cutting him off. She stared up at him, the wounded innocence back, plastered on her face. It took all his control not to shake her off, shove her away. “I’m just worried about you, that’s all, darling.” Then she took her friend’s arm and left the shop.
Fuck.
He wasn’t quite sure what to do. Should he go in after Alex, explain? But what could he tell her? He had to keep Emily’s secrets or risk the unthinkable. Despite their differences, what she’d done to him, he didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. He sure as fuck refused to be the reason she took her own life. In the end, he decided to stay put and wait it out. He knew Alex well enough to know she’d need a minute. If he went after her now, she’d retreat—her default when something didn’t go to plan or she was hurt.
Alex came out a short time later, and thankfully the haunted expression was gone. “Well, that was fun.”
He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her into his side. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea they’d be here.”
“Why are you sorry? It wasn’t you calling me a gold digger.”
He tightened his hold, turning her so she faced him fully, and slid his fingers under her chin, tilting her head back so he could look in her eyes. “They don’t know what they’re talking about. They don’t know you. Now let’s forget about what just happened and get back to having a good time.”
She crossed her arms. “Spending your money?”
“Don’t.” He held her gaze and hated the distance he saw there. “Do not let her get to you. That’s exactly what she wanted.”
“I’m fine.” She held out her hand for her bag, and as he handed it back, accidentally upended it. “That’s the last time I leave you to hold my purse.”
Chuckling, he knelt beside her to help pick everything up. “You promise?”
She smiled, and relief washed over him. It was probably cheesy, but that’s all he wanted. To make her smile. He was leaning forward, handing over her phone, when her gaze slid over his face and traveled down his throat to his chest. Her smile vanished.
“Alex?”
She reached out and yanked open the first two buttons of his shirt. He’d completely forgotten about the scratches on his chest. “It’s not?—”
“What I think?” She swallowed hard and looked down, shoving everything back in her purse. “You saw Emily this morning?”
“Yes, but?—”
“She gave you those?”
“Yes, but?—”
Alex stood abruptly, spun on her heel, and bolted for the door. “Alex, wait.”
“Your things, Mr. West?” the shop assistant called after him.
“Send them to my office.” Then he raced after Alex.
