‘He f**ked other women when he was with you, Ava. He doesn’t deserve you.’
‘He does deserve me!’ I scream the words in his face, and he steps back, shocked.
John’s hand moves to my arm, but I shrug him off. ‘Ava, girl?’
‘No! No one gets to pass judgement on him, except me! He’s mine!’ I’ve forgiven him, and given the chance, I could probably forget. ‘You’re blinded by resentment.’ I say more calmly.
‘It’s more about you.’ The Dane flicks a cautious glance at my bodyguard.
I laugh and shake my head. ‘No, it’s not. I’m married and preg…’
‘And I still want you.’
My mouth snaps shut, and John lets out a warning growl. ‘The girl is taken.’ He tries to manoeuvre me onwards, but I’m fixed in place.
‘Did you drug me?’ I ask, but the horrified look that instantly invades his pale face tells me what I need to know.
‘Ava, I would never hurt you. I’ve bought this company for you.’
I shake my head on a disbelieving laugh. ‘You’re consumed with the need for vengeance. You don’t even know me. We’ve shared no intimacy, connection or special moments. What’s wrong with you?’
‘I know a good thing when I see it, and I’m prepared to fight for it.’
‘You’ll be fighting in vain.’ I say calmly, ‘And even if you succeed in your attempts to break us—which you never will—you couldn’t have me afterwards.’
His skin gathers on his forehead when he frowns. ‘Why?’
‘Because without him, I’d be dead.’ I turn and leave my workplace, knowing I’ll never return. I’m a little sad, but knowing what’s waiting for me past this point in my life puts the biggest smile on my face.
* * *
When I’m settled safely in John’s Range Rover and we’ve pulled away from the kerb, I register my phone in my hand and remember that he’s on the other end of the line. I don’t want to hear him, I want to see him. ‘Jesse?’
It’s silent for a while, but I know he’s there. His presence travels through the line and kisses my skin. ‘I don’t deserve you.’ he says quietly. ‘He’s right, but I’m too selfish to give you up to someone who does. We’ll never be broken and you’ll never be without me, so you’ll be living forever, baby.’
Tears stab at my eyes and I think of how grateful I am that he is such a selfish man. ‘Deal.’ I whisper.
‘I’ll see you in the bath.’
‘Deal.’ I repeat because I know I’ll never manage more than one word without coughing all over them. He hangs up and I lose myself in thought as I watch London fly by the window. I feel an amazing sense of relief. For once, there’s complete silence in John’s car. There’s no humming and there’s no taping of the steering wheel. We travel in a comfortable quiet back to Lusso.
* * *
‘Let’s get you in, girl.’ John parks up and jumps out, leaving me to unbuckle and join him at the front of his car.
‘You don’t have to escort me in,’ I say, but he pulls a face that suggests he does. ‘Jesse’s told you to sweep the penthouse, hasn’t he?’
‘Just a little check, that’s all, girl.’ He takes my elbow and leads me into the foyer of Lusso. I could complain, but I don’t bother. He’s being completely over cautious, but if it keeps him and my neurotic husband happy, then I’ll comply.
I’m surprised to see Casey here, but he’s not in uniform. ‘Hi, Casey.’ I call as I’m led past, not being given a moment to converse, or maybe warn him that he’s going to be facing the wrath of Jesse very soon. I do notice how smart he looks in his suit, though, and I definitely spot the look of alarm on his face at the sight of the big guy, escorting me. John has that effect on most people, just like he did me.
John punches the code in and stands back to let me enter the elevator before he joins me. He taps the code in again.
‘You know the code?’ I ask, hoping to God he doesn’t know the significance of the code.
He smiles down at me, and I can’t work out if it’s a knowing look or not. ‘The mother f**ker was sensible this time, but you’d think he would be a little bit more creative.’
I cough a little, thinking just how creative Jesse can be when he reaches that zero. Wonderfully creative, in fact. Mind-blowingly creative. I need to run that bath, but as the doors of the elevator open, I uncharitably remember that it’s early and Cathy is more than likely still faffing around the penthouse.
Letting us in, I immediately head towards the kitchen and dump my bag on the island, but I find no Cathy, so I set off upstairs in search of her, set on relieving her for the rest of the day.
‘Ava, girl,’ John’s thundering footsteps come after me. ‘Let me check.’
‘John, really?’ I stop and let him pass. ‘Are you babysitting me until Jesse gets home?’ I truly hope not. I want to have a bath before my bath with Jesse.
‘No. Peace of mind.’ he rumbles. ‘Quit with the complaining.’
I recoil a little at his shortness, but I don’t argue with the giant of a man. I let him open and close doors while I prop myself up against the glass bannister, arms folded across my chest, patiently waiting. There is no way I should be whining about this, given our surprise visitor this morning.
‘All clear,’
‘That’s a relief,’ I smile, pushing my lower back away from the glass.