The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways #12) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,30

Roman’s life and his own? Not happening. “I’m not the son of an infamous crime lord,” he reminded Dex. “And I don’t have a million enemies from my past trying to kill me, so I don’t think the same rules apply to me.”

“No, you’re just a man with a million secrets, and if people were to find out what you’ve really been doing, anyone close to you would be in danger. But then, you already know this. Shouldn’t have to be told again.”

“Dex, I’m getting out of the fucking car.” He turned and reached for the door handle.

“Eric Wilde contacted me. He wanted to make sure he covered all aspects of your protection detail. The man is thorough, I’ll give him that. He’s also one of the few people who has my personal number. Though if he’s gonna keep calling me, I may need to change that number.”

Antony glanced back at him.

“Eric told me about what happened in Asheville. That’s why I came to the area. I wanted to know what the hell was going on. But now I get that you made up the story so you could get your girlfriend back.”

“She’s not my…” He sucked in a breath. Screw it. He wasn’t going to explain his relationship with Ella. Not to Dex. “The condo break-in was fake, but the attack in front of Wilde was real enough. Now my would-be attacker is dead. How about we focus on him? What do you know about the guy?”

“Working on it. But I can say that on my end, I haven’t heard any rumbles about anyone coming after you. As far as I know, your secret identity is safe.”

“I’m still Clark Kent,” he muttered, remembering Ella’s words.

“What?” Now Dex’s laugh was real. It boomed from him. “In your dreams.”

He waited for Dex’s laughter to subside. It took a bit. Then Antony told him, “I’ll dig on the dead attacker, too. You check your sources, and I’ll check mine. Could be that this has nothing to do with the spy world. Then you could rest easy and remove yourself from the equation.”

“There is no removing. Either way, I’m not going to leave you to face this threat on your own.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. Sounds like you care.”

“I do.” No humor. No laughter.

Hell, Dex could be so hard to read. “I can handle myself.” He shoved open the door.

“But can you handle her?” A deliberate taunt.

He waved bye to Dex with his middle finger.

“Oh, want that life advice?”

“No.”

“You’re getting it anyway.”

“You’re going to tell me to stay away from her. I don’t need that warning. I know I have to let her go.” Even though the idea was ripping a giant hole into his chest. “So save the big talk about how I am going to put myself at risk—”

“If you want her, go balls to the wall and get her.”

He’d been walking away. Now he whirled back toward Dex. “Excuse me?”

“We often think we lie to protect other people. Sometimes, though, we’re just doing it to protect ourselves. Stop that shit. You want her, then be as honest as you can with her. Fight for her. Don’t lose the best thing that might ever happen to you.”

He was gaping. Antony forced his mouth closed. “That is not what I expected from you.”

“Because I am a man of mystery.” Dex rolled his hand in a little swirl. “Now slam the damn door. You’re letting the cold air in.”

Antony slammed the door. Jones was already back behind the wheel, and the limo slowly pulled away.

Squaring his shoulders, Antony headed for the house. Before he could reach the front door, it was wrenched open.

Ella stood on the threshold. Her hands flew to her curved hips and clenched into fists. “You are not firing me.”

Chapter Nine

A shower hadn’t calmed her down. It hadn’t helped her to erase the memory of warm blood pulsing through her fingers or of the dying man’s last desperate words.

The warm water had pounded down on her. She’d tilted her head beneath the spray. The better to let her tears wash away. She’d seen death before. Just not like that. Not so horribly up close. She hadn’t felt someone’s life bleed away through her fingertips.

A rap sounded at the door. “Ella? Are you okay?”

No, she was far from okay. Her hand flew out. Yanked on the handle and had the water spray turning off. Ella grabbed for a towel. She yanked it over her hair—drying it hardly at all—then wrapped the lush towel