Page 86 of Shadow Waltz

When it was over, Ash hung limp in the chains, chest heaving, his body marked by everything we'd done. I leaned in close, mouth brushing his ear.

“You did beautifully,” I whispered, my voice carrying both praise and possession. “Rest now. I'll be back.”

I pressed a gentle kiss to his temple—tender, but with the underlying promise that this was far from over—and stepped away. Troy followed me out without a word, both of us leaving Ash to process what had just happened between us.

I spentthe next hour in my office, reviewing security footage and making calls, but my mind kept drifting back to the suite. To Ash. To the trust he'd shown me and what it meant for both of us going forward.

Finally, I couldn't stay away any longer.

When I returned, the room was heavy with aftermath. I knelt beside Ash, released the restraints one by one, careful with wrists that showed the evidence of his struggles. He barely moved at first—only opened his eyes, blue and weary, searching mine.

“Let's get you cleaned up,” I said, helping him to his feet, steadying him when his knees buckled. My touch was gentle now, but my fingers still brushed the collar at his throat—a reminder that even in tenderness, I remained in control.

I waited while he showered, the weight of unfinished business pressing down on me. When he emerged—hair damp, skin flushed, wearing the soft clothes I'd left for him—he looked younger somehow. More vulnerable, but not broken.

“Ash.” I said it quietly, studying his face. “How are you feeling?”

He glanced at me, wariness mixing with something that might have been gratitude. “Like I just learned something about myself I'm not sure I wanted to know.”

The honesty caught me off guard. “Regrets?”

“No,” he said, surprising us both. “But questions.”

I moved to the windows, giving him space while staying close enough to monitor his emotional state. “Ask them.”

“Why Troy?” The question was direct, strategic rather than emotional. “What was tonight really about?”

I could have given him comfortable lies, but after what we'd just shared, he deserved truth. “Because I needed to know if your loyalty extended beyond just me. Because in my world, trust has to be absolute or it's worthless.”

“And now you know?”

“Now I know you're stronger than I gave you credit for.” I turned to face him, letting him see the genuine respect in my expression. “And more dangerous.”

Something flickered in his eyes at that—not fear, but interest. “Dangerous how?”

“Because you make me want things I've never allowed myself to want.” The admission was strategic vulnerability, calculated to deepen our connection while revealing my own investment in him. “That makes you the most valuable and most dangerous thing in my life.”

Ash was quiet, processing. When he spoke, his voice carried new certainty. “What happens now?”

“Now we deal with more pressing matters.” I settled into the chair across from him, my posture relaxed but alert. “What happened with Reddick today - someone knew about that meeting. Someone inside my organization.”

His expression sharpened immediately, the strategic mind I valued clicking into focus. “How do you know?”

“Because too many people have been asking questions. Von Stein's inquiries, the federal interest, the timing of everything.” I watched him process the implications. “Someone's been feeding information to parties who shouldn't have it.”

“Any suspects?”

“Several. But investigating will require delicacy.” I leaned forward slightly, letting him see the predator beneath the civilized exterior. “Because when I find who's been talking, their silence will become permanent.”

The casual way I mentioned the threat didn't seem to faze him anymore—another sign of how thoroughly he'd adapted to my world.

“What do you need from me?” he asked, and the automatic assumption that he'd be involved sent satisfaction through me.

“Your eyes. Your instincts. You see things others miss.” I stood, moving closer with deliberate intent. “But more than that, I need you to understand that the stakes just changed. You're not just valuable to me anymore—you're valuable to my enemies. That makes you a target.”

I reached out to trace the edge of his collar, the touch gentle but possessive. “Which means I'll be even more protective than before. Even more controlling. Even more ruthless about eliminating threats.”

The promise carried weight that had nothing to do with romance and everything to do with the reality of who I was. Ash met my eyes without flinching.