Page 135 of Captive Audience

Iwasn’t in the mood for cocktails and laughter, but I’d be damned if I let Rook ruin my night. So I fixed on a brave face that felt as fragile as my heart and slid into the back of the town car.

Finn took the seat beside me, a quiet wall of muscle and ink. In the front, the driver and another bodyguard—Liam, freshly shipped from Ireland—were deep in a debate about rugby.

I stared out the window and watched the city lights muddle as I blinked back tears.

“You okay, Mrs. O?” Finn’s voice was low, barely above a whisper.

I gave him a weak smile. “I’ll be fine.”

He studied me for a beat longer, like he wanted to press, but not with two sets of ears in the front.

I guessed the masks were off and Finn knew my marriage to his boss was a lie.

The town car pulled up outside a low-lit wine bar that looked as if it had stepped straight out of the roaring twenties. Inside, brass fixtures glinted under warm light, and the air hummed with soft jazz. It was busy but not overcrowded, with groups of stylishly dressed twentysomethings mingling at the bar and tucked into curved leather booths along the walls.

I’d meant to make a beeline for the bathroom to check my mascara, but the girls spotted me before I’d even taken two steps.

“Asha!” Daisy squealed, weaving through the crowd to throw her arms around me. She tore herself away to look me over. “Girl, that dress is incredible.”

Beth followed with a wide grin and a hug just as fierce. “I’ve missed your face.”

I gave her a squeeze. “I’ve missed yours, too.”

My chest loosened. Daze and Beth were my safe place, and tonight I needed them badly.

Finn and Liam drifted farther along the bar, striking up easy conversation with the bartender. This was one of the Beasts’ places, and these were Rook’s people. The security, the staff, and probably even the customers were vetted.

“Here.” Beth handed me her almost-full margarita. “Catch up. We’re already on our second.”

“You’re an angel.” I gulped half in one go.

“Shut the front door!” Daisy grabbed my left hand so hard my shoulder popped. “What is that?”

Well, that hadn’t taken long.

Beth crowded in. “That can’t be real.”

I winced. “It’s not fake.”

Beth choked. “You’re engaged?”

“Worse. Married.”

“Married?” my friends said at the same time.

Daisy gasped. “Bad Sugar Daddy put a ring on it!”

“Kinda. It’s a long story.” I downed the rest of my drink and waved the bartender over.

Beth shook her head. “Why does it feel like I’ve missed twelve months of your life in two weeks?”

“To be fair, it’s been a hell of a two weeks for me, too. Remember McHottie, my one-night stand?”

The girls nodded, both of them wearing puzzled expressions.

“We’re married.Fakemarried. It’s a visa thing. Rook was about to get sent home to Ireland, and he offered me a stupid amount of money to marry him so he could stay. I couldn’t refuse.”

That was the best cover I could come up with for marrying someone I barely knew. Especially since last timewe were out, I’d sworn off men and marriage and declared I’d spend the rest of my life happily free of both. My besties would be less shocked if I’d joined a convent.