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“I don’t know but, fine, I’ll play.”
Gritting his teeth, he led the way into the living room and pushed her into the single armchair. He remained standing with a hand caressing her nape. She glanced up at him, and he smiled stiffly.
He waited till Snyder and Ashley seated themselves on the large sofa.
“You wanted an hour? I’ll give you ten minutes. Non-negotiable. After that I’m throwing you out.”
“Noah, I really wanted to do this in private?—”
“The clock’s ticking, Ashley.”
Snyder and Ashley exchanged glances. Noah hated the rock-hard dread that rolled into his stomach when Snyder’s gaze shifted to Leia.
“Did he tell you about how their relationship ended?” Warren asked.
Leia paled a little, and her gaze searched Noah’s before returning to Snyder. She totally ignored Ashley. “Why, what does it matter? It ended. The question here is, why are you interested?”
Shards of ice spiked around the dread. “Yes, I’m curious. Why are you interested?”
“Because after everything you’ve been through, I’m not prepared to jeopardize your safety?—”
“Think carefully about what you say next, Snyder. Or I promise, I will bury you.” Noah’s voice was a thin blade that sliced across the room.
Ashley flinched. Leia’s pulse jumped beneath his hand. He stared down at her.
“Leia?” Her eyes met his. His insides shredded with the wariness and confusion he witnessed. “No excuses,” he breathed.
Doubt rolled across her face, and she swallowed hard. Noah’s insides hollowed.
“My dear, you need to come home now, before it’s too late.”
“What does that mean?” Leia snapped at Warren, her arms crossing around her middle. “I’m not in the mood for one of your riddles.”
Ashley reached into her purse and pulled out a file. Warren took it from her and placed it on the table.
“This is a copy of the charges Miss Maitland filed against Mr. King in New York two years ago. The report and the pictures are clear enough. It lists her injuries?—”
“God, Ashley, are you really this desperate?” Noah felt Leia flinch at his raw disgust, but he was past showing mercy. Not when his world was caving in.
Snyder sat forward. “Leia, I’m not prepared to leave you to his mercy?—”
“I understand whyhe’sdoing this but what the hell doyouhave to gain from this?” Noah snarled at Ashley.
Ashley twirled her diamond bracelet and her eyelids fluttered down, then back to meet his. “You weren’t supposed to leave.”
“Excuse me?”
“Two years ago. You were supposed to marry me and work things out with me. I would’ve forgiven you for your nasty little traits.”
Leia jerked away from him. He frowned down at her but her head was bent. He reefed a hand through his hair and fought for his sanity. “I left, Ashley. Deal with it.”
She shook her head. “I want you back.”
“Are you insane?”
“You can’t have him back!” Leia surged to her feet. Her fists were balled, and her eyes blazed pure determination. “You had your chance with him and you blew it. So trot back to New York on your little princess heels and leave him alone.”
God, yes!