Page 52 of Ashes of Us

“Rude,” she muttered to Indie, standing up.

“He's only getting a pass because he must be frustrated beyond belief.” Making sure Indie didn't follow her, she came to a stop outside Alex's office, wondering what approach she should take to get rid of Heidi.

She briefly debated calling security and having her escorted off the property, figuring that would embarrass her enough to stay away from the hotel at least, but she wasn't sure how Alex would react to it.

Figuring she would follow his lead, she knocked lightly on the door and opened it, poking her head in. “Everything okay, Mr. West?”

She noticed Heidi stiffened slightly when she recognized Danica's voice and stifled a giggle behind the most professional demeanour she could muster.

Alex immediately stood up, looking beyond relieved that she was there, and gestured for Danica to approach him as he began collecting his things.

“Everything's fine. Please call a car to take Ms. Ashford to the airport. She was just leaving.”

“Alex, this is ridiculous, I made a mistake...” Heidi trailed off as Danica reached them.

Danica noticed she didn't acknowledge her presence, barely glancing in her direction as Danica pulled out her phone and sent a text to their driver to bring the airport shuttle around to the front. “We can work through this.”

To Danica's immense surprise, Alex placed his hand on her hip in an intimate, almost possessive gesture, as she came to a stop beside him.

“No, we can't. I told you, it's over, we're divorced, and I've moved on.” He growled, pointing at the door.

“I'm asking you to leave one more time, take the car back to the airport and stay away from me, or I'll have security throw you out on your ass.”

Heidi finally looked at Danica, her eyes drifting to where Alex's hand rested on her hip, her lip curling in disgust, but she seemed determined to ignore Danica's existence.

“You wouldn't do that to me,” Heidi settled back in the chair, folding her arms over her chest and looking smug.

“I bought a one-way ticket, anyway. I've been awarded a temporary visa so we can work on our relationship.”

Alex tensed, his hand squeezing Danica's hip painfully for a brief second.

“That seems like a you problem.” He informed her dryly after a slight pause, “Luckily, they have these wonderful people called 'ticket agents' at the airport who can help you book a flight back to London.” He leaned in close to Danica's ear, and she had to force herself not to react when he whispered to call security if she didn't leave in five minutes.

Realizing that from Heidi's point of view it looked like Alex was kissing her cheek, she smiled at him adoringly and gave him a slight nod, so he knew she heard him.

“The car is waiting downstairs.” She didn't speak to Heidi, speaking to Alex as if she wasn't there.

She could tell the show Alex was putting on with Danica was starting to get to Heidi, because there was an angry red flush making its way up the other woman's neck and if looks could kill, Danica would be dead a dozen times over with the way she was glaring at her.

There was a moment of silence, and then Heidi let out a huff and stood up.

“I'm not going to the airport.” She snapped, anger obvious in every line of her body. “We're not done here. You've had your fun with the little gold digger, although I can't for the life of me see why you would want your father's sloppy seconds.”

For a brief moment, Danica saw red, and then a wave of calm washed over her as she felt Alex tense beside her, and she smiled sweetly at her.

“Gold digger?” She looked up at Alex and let out a little giggle.

“Me? Didn't you spend four nights in jail after you were arrested for trying to steal from your husband because neither you nor your father could afford to pay your bail?”

She watched with satisfaction as the colour drained from Heidi's face and her mouth dropped open, clearly shocked that Alex had told Danica why he divorced her.

“And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you fly across the ocean to beg your ex-husband to take you back because you're so broke you can't even afford to get those nasty roots touched up?” She knew attacking her appearance was a low blow, but she also knew, thanks to Alex, that Heidi's appearance mattered to her, and after the remark about Danica being Alexander's sloppy seconds, she felt like Heidi deserved it.

“Also, just for the record, do you really think Alex would want to fuck me if I had been with his father?” Danica knew Heidi knew Alex better than that and couldn't deny what she was saying.

“Unlike some people here, I have too much respect for myself to sleep with a man for money.”

There was a moment of silence, and just as Danica was starting to panic that she had gone too far, she felt Alex start to shake beside her.

Looking up at him, she saw he was struggling to hold back laughter, when their eyes met, he couldn't contain it anymore and let out a loud peal of laughter.

“Christ, you don't hold back at all, do you?” He choked out before laughing again.

“You're just going to - to stand there and let her talk to me that way?” Heidi looked like the blood vessel in her forehead was about to pop as she got to her feet, her hands on her hips as she finally looked at Danica. “Who the hell do you think you are anyway?”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Danica countered, feeling emboldened by Alex's response to her takedown of his ex-wife and knowing he wasn't going to be upset with her.

“You're nothing, you're less than nothing.

You're a thief and liar whose crimes and lies caught up with you.” She looked her up and down dismissively as she leaned into Alex's side.

“Get over yourself and move on, he has.” She swallowed her surprise when Alex stepped in close behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.

“You fucking bitch!” Heidi hissed, her face almost purple with rage.

“Like you could hold his attention for more than a few months.” She stepped closer, shoving her finger in Danica's face.

“You're not his type, and he'll be bored soon.” Before Danica had a chance to react, Alex shifted her behind him, glaring at Heidi with the coldest expression Danica had ever seen.

“Enough.” His voice was like ice, and Danica actually felt a shiver go down her spine.

He was talking to Heidi in the same tone he used with Greg, and she knew instantly he was done with dealing with his ex-wife.

She quickly sent a text to Nigel, asking him to send security up to Alex's office ASAP.

“My relationship with Danica is no one's business but ours, and I will not allow you to disrespect her or me anymore. Reconciliation will never happen. Go back to London and stay the hell away from us.”

Before Heidi could respond, two security guards appeared in the doorway.

Alex waved them in and pointed to Heidi.

“Escort Ms. Ashford out. She's permanently banned from every Rose Gold Hotel everywhere.” The security guards nodded and approached Heidi, after some arguing and the threat of having her trespassed, she was finally removed, and Alex dropped into his chair, running his hands over his face and groaning loudly.

“You okay?” Danica asked softly. She could feel the tension slowly dissipating in the room, and felt terrible that he felt he needed to pretend to be in a relationship with someone else to make Heidi leave him alone.

“Fine.” He grunted, glancing at her. “Thanks for going along with all that, and I'm sorry if I made things awkward between us.”

Danica shrugged. “Nah, don't worry about it.

After everything you've done for me over the last few weeks, it's no big deal.” She smiled at him reassuringly when he let out a scoff and shook his head.

“Besides, there was something very satisfying about finally telling her what I really think of her.”

Alex huffed out another short laugh. “I could tell you enjoyed that part.” his eyes twinkled as he grinned at her. “I'm not sure it actually sunk in with her, but hopefully she stays away.”

“You don't think she'll go home?” Danica walked out of the office as she spoke, letting Indie out of her office so she would stop whining. She immediately ran into Alex's office, and Danica followed, watching as Alex leaned down to scratch behind the dog's ears.

“I don't think she can afford it.” He admitted. “She bought a one-way ticket and was expecting me to give her a hotel room for free when I told her she wasn't staying with me, which was her original plan.”

“Well, like you said,” Danica smirked and ran her fingers through her hair as the thought of Heidi having to stay at a hostel or in the airport until she could get money to return home. “That sounds like a her problem.”

Alex nodded as he stood up, grabbing Indie's leash from his drawer.

“That it is. Come on, I need a break, let's take this gorgeous girl for a walk in the park.” He snapped the leash on Indie's collar and started to leave his office, leaving Danica hurrying after him as he shut off the light, shaking her head as she followed them to the elevator.

“It didn't take you long to be wrapped around her paw.”