Chapter Twelve
Ashley
I was trying not to smile all the time, because I was so gloriously happy. As I left the bathroom I looked over to our table watching Lucas’ profile as he chatted to Aidan. His shirt sleeve was rolled up showing me that corded wrist and his fingers danced as he used them to enunciate whatever words he was saying. Those clever fingers that played me like an instrument until my music crescendoed. It also appeared that Aidan might know what was going on. Had he really hinted that Lucas and I could holiday together? Perhaps it was indeed time to face the fact that I was in a relationship with this man and go public.
“Ashley, darlin’, you’re a hard woman to track down.” I spun around to see Denver in front of me. From his glassy looking eyes he was wasted on either alcohol or drugs. He slung an arm around me.
“You didn’t call me. Why the hell not? We could have some fun together, sweetheart.”
I tried to take a step back because he reeked of alcohol and he was making me uncomfortable. “Because I have no reason to.”
He looked and me and snarled. “Oh yeah, you just wanted me for business, right? Had what you wanted so now you don’t need me. Just another slut trying to take what she can get. Well this time, I’m taking what I want.”
He leaned towards me, his face coming nearer to mine and then he wasn’t there anymore.
I watched as Denver hit the wall and then heard a loud crack as Lucas’ fist connected with his nose. Blood sprayed out.
And just like that everything fell apart.
Camera flashes went off everywhere.
Aidan rushed over looking at Lucas in horror. “What have you done?”
Denver’s PR was getting him medical attention.
“I’ll deal with this, get him out of here. I’ll call you if I need you.” Aidan snapped.
I nodded and dragged Lucas out to a waiting cab, wading through crowds who were trying to see what happened. One woman tried to spit at Lucas for ‘attacking her hero’.
As we got in the cab, Lucas turned to me. “I’m not sorry, so don’t ask me to say it.”
I stared out of the window of the can until we pulled up outside the club. I wasn’t saying anything while we weren’t on our own.
Lucas sat in my apartment as I assessed his sore and bruising knuckles.
“You know you’re probably going to get charged with assault don’t you?”
He pulled his hands away from me and I saw him tighten them into fists. “I don’t give a crap. He was being a jackass to you.”
“I could have dealt with him myself.” I said slowly and firmly.
“Yeah? He was about to press you up against the wall. Man’s twice the weight of you.”
“I didn’t need you to come over playing bodyguard.”
“Well I did so it’s too fucking late to start giving me shit for looking out for you.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “I think maybe it’s better if you go to your own apartment now. Wait to see what Aidan says.”
The look he gave me broke my heart. Hurt and disgust rolled into one. He got up and left slamming the door behind him.
I sat on my sofa wondering what would happen now.
SEX CLUB MANAGER PUNCHES DENVER LOMAS IN BRAWL
OVER SEXY BOSS.
We’d been called into the office to see Aidan who was pacing around like a caged tiger throwing down the papers and press releases.
“They’re making Abandon look like a seedy, X-rated, establishment.” Aidan spat.
“Luckily for you.” He jabbed Lucas in the chest with his fingers. “Denver won’t be saying a word or pressing charges.”
“How?” I asked.
Aidan laughed but not in an amused way, it was more of a huff. “He was made aware that I have security tapes of him walking around with a butt plug with a donkey’s tail, on it, amongst other things he wouldn’t like to see the light of day. I don’t like having to use blackmail, but he could have ruined me, and I’m not about to let that happen.”
“I’m so sorry.” I said.
“Nothing you have to be sorry for.” Said Aidan, throwing a filthy look in his cousin’s direction, “But sit down. It’s not getting any better.”
We both took a seat.
Aidan’s gaze rested on mine. “Your ex has sold a story to the press. Saying that he had to seek comfort in your best friend’s arms because you were addicted to work, that you spent all your time in Club S at Henry’s mercy. He’s given them photos of you in lingerie. Photos I guess you trusted him to take at the time.”
I gasped and placed my head in my hands. Just when I’d thought my life was getting back on track, it sent me another earthquake to rock my world.
“Let me see.” I asked Aidan.
He handed me a printout from the Internet.
MY EX WAS OBSESSED WITH SEX,
JUST NOT WITH ME.
There I was in four photos, clad in sexy lingerie pouting at the man who I had at that time loved. Now I looked like a cheap whore.
“Ashley, your shifts are covered. I want you to take a week off until this calms down. Maybe use those vacation vouchers and get away for a while?”
I nodded. I couldn’t get on a plane fast enough.
“Lucas. I’m sending you to Miami in a Consultant role. Go there and supervise things.”
“I’m not going anywhere. He said in a low tone that was almost a growl.
“Yes you are, Lucas. Listen, I know you were protecting Ash, I get that. The sleaze ball was all over her, but I have my club to fix. Half my life savings are in this. What you’ve done could affect my future: my plans for my wedding, for my future family. So I’m not asking you, I’m telling you, until I get this sorted and PR on it to smooth things out, you get your ass to Miami. Am I clear?”
Lucas’ jaw was tight but he shook his head, “Yes, Boss.”
“Get out of here, both of you.” Aidan said. “I’ll be in touch, we’ll sort this.”
I packed and booked a flight and a few hours later I was on my way to Hawaii. A week to myself to try to relax and regroup and once again close down all my feelings into that locked box where my heart should be.