The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways #12) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,28

the road for you, Ella Webb.” At Dex’s words, the rear door of the limo was opened by the driver as if perfectly on cue. “We’ve reached Antony’s place, and you should go inside. Wash away any blood that remains. Perhaps get yourself a stiff drink. I’ve found that helps when dealing with the dead.”

Those were all the wrong words to say to her. Antony could feel the rage pouring from Ella. After she’d made her demand for information, Dex had sat in silence.

Now he was trying to kick her out of the car. Oh, yes, Dex was handling this situation in one hundred percent the wrong way. The way designed to infuriate Ella the most.

“You’re going to tell me nothing?” Ella fumed. “Do not be that much of an asshole.”

“Unfortunately, he can be a giant asshole,” Antony assured her. He reached for her hand. Squeezed. “Ella…” Emotion thickened his voice. God, when he thought of her running away from him in that parking lot…Of her crouched over the guy on the ground as he lay dying…Of her pushing and pushing to try and get him to survive…Antony cleared his throat. “You’ve had a hell of a night. You should—”

“I hate when anyone tells me what I ‘should’ do.” Her response was brittle. “I’m more than capable of deciding that I want to do. I want answers.” Her gaze locked on Antony. “If you won’t give them to me, how am I supposed to protect you?”

This had gotten out of hand. Far out of hand. He’d never intended for Ella to be put in danger. “I messed up.”

Her eyes narrowed.

His fingers slid carefully along her inner wrist. He could feel the fast drumming of her pulse beneath his touch. “I’m sorry, Ella. I made a mistake.”

“You’ve made a lot of them,” she replied with her usual fire. The fire that had drawn him from the beginning. Ella didn’t take shit from anyone. “How is this time any different?” She wanted to know.

His hold tightened on her. “Because you were close to the crossfire. Too close.” He forced himself to let her go. “I shouldn’t have gone to Wilde. Now that Dex is involved, the case will be handled differently from here on out.”

She grabbed his hand. “The hell it will. If this is your way of trying to shut me out, you need to reevaluate. Because it is not going to work.”

The driver continued to stand beyond the open door.

“Antony, are you trying to fire me?” Her voice had risen. Several octaves.

Antony opened his mouth to respond.

“This feels awkwardly personal,” Dex interrupted as he put down his empty wine glass. “I hate to get all up in your personal business.”

Since when? Antony shot him an annoyed glare.

“So here’s a fun suggestion. How about the two of you go inside and talk out this situation, hmm? Doesn’t that sound like a great plan? Jones,” he called to the waiting driver. “Escort Ella inside, would you? Antony will follow along shortly.”

“I don’t need an escort,” Ella snarled. “I need answers. But obviously, I’m not getting them.” Her index finger flew and pointed between Dex and Antony. “For the record, you both suck.” She climbed from the car. “Jones, do not even start with me,” she warned when he reached for her. “I do not need any kind of escort. I know where the damn house is. It’s like twenty feet in front of me. I can see it.”

Antony immediately moved to follow her.

“I don’t think so.” Dex caught his arm. “At least, not quite yet.”

Jones slammed the back door shut. Antony was alone with Dex. Fabulous.

“You should never have stayed at the scene.” Dex’s voice was low. Rough. Angry. An anger that he hadn’t shown while Ella was present. “You compromised yourself. A compromise to you is a compromise to me.” He sniffed. “It’s a good thing I happened to have a connection at that PD.”

Antony wasn’t in the mood to touch the connection part, not yet. He had other matters on his plate. “I wasn’t leaving Ella to face the cops and the crowd alone.”

“She’s dangerous.”

“What?” Antony shook off Dex’s hold. “Don’t be ridiculous. The woman has been working overtime to save my hide. First as my head of security and now as—”

“You need to get your head out of your ass.”

Antony rolled back his shoulders. “You don’t want to push me right now.”

“I should have figured it out sooner. I mean, you didn’t date much. You had opportunities, but you