Page 142 of Captive Audience

“I’m sorry for lying to you and for being a menace. I’m sorry that I’ve held on to you too tight. But you…you’re precious to me in ways I can’t even put into words. Every time I look at you, my chest aches. When you’re not near, it feels as if I’m missing a limb. You make me feel as though I still have a heart, that maybe I still have a soul. I thought those things died with Niall, but you’ve proven me wrong. I can’t go back to the man I was before you.”

I’d never imagined Rook saying sorry, certainly not with such sincerity. He’d been nothing but control and steel since the day we’d met, yet here he was, laying his heart bare in the middle of a crowded bar.

He wasn’t a monster. He was a man gutted by grief. It didn’t erase the manipulation or the lies, but when I saw Rook’s actions through his eyes, they made a little more sense.

His fingers flexed at my neck, clasping me as if I might vanish. “Christ almighty, woman. Can’t you see I’m in love with you? Have been for longer than you realize. Before I even admitted it to myself.”

The room tilted. My head spun under the weight of his words, my pulse a frantic drumbeat in my ears.

Rook was in love with me?

I could imagine a hundred things he might say to keep me from walking—threats, demands, coercion—but never this.

He meant it, too.

I didn’t know whether to laugh in disbelief, cry at the rawness in his voice, or tell him to go to hell for making me feel anything at all.

My head screamed not to forgive him, but my traitorous heart, it wanted me to throw my arms around him and never let go.

I shook my head. “Rook. I?—”

“Shh.” He pressed a finger to my lips, eyes fierce. “I know you don’t feel the same way. Not yet. But maybe one day you will. Please, Asha, don’t give up on me. All I’m asking for is another chance.”

Rook waited for me to say something. And I wanted to, but I couldn’t organize my thoughts. It was all so overwhelming. So confusing.

I swallowed thickly. My energy waned. I felt lightheaded and clammy all over.

“Why is it so hot in here?” My vision swam. “I feel weird.”

His head tilted, worry furrowing his brow as he pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. “You’re white as a sheet. How many drinks have you had?”

“Um. Three maybe? And a shot. Those guys bought us a round.” My legs buckled, and Rook held me up.

He glanced over my shoulder, then back to me. “Who are they?”

“Don’t know. They’re from…can’t remember. Starts with aB.” I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut. “Something’s wrong.”

“I think your drink was spiked. I’m going to help you, okay? But we need to act fast.”

After that, everything blurred. Rook hustled me away while barking orders. Someone, maybe Finn, shoved people aside and cleared our path. Then I was bent over a toilet, Rook holding my hair back.

“I’m sorry to do this, love.” Fingers went down my throat, and Iheaved. Tears stung my eyes as the alcohol came up. Rook did it again and again until nothing more would.

“I’m getting you out of here.” He scooped me up.

My head lolled against his shoulder. I was as weak as a newborn lamb. Mustering what strength I had left, I fisted his shirt. “Daisy. Beth. Help them.”

“Stay with me, Asha.” Rook’s voice cut through the fog. A tap on my cheek. “Come on, love. Keep your eyes open for me.”

Then everything went black.

52

ROOK

Finn rushed to bring the car around the back.

I sent Aidan and Liam after Asha’s friends and the three pricks they’d been drinking with.