The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways #12) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,71

suspicions even before she’d run from Antony in Asheville. “You put me in his path.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You’re bullshitting, and it’s annoying, and I don’t have time for it,” she snapped. “When I told you no, that I wasn’t interested in continuing with you—the very next day, I was offered a job in corporate security. Did you have anything to do with that job?”

“I may have known some people.”

“Dex, that isn’t an answer.”

“Fine. Yes. I got you the first job in corporate security. I like to do favors for people. Mostly because later, those people will want to do favors for me. It’s a fun exchange that way.”

Nothing about this situation was fun. “I never knew about that favor.” It didn’t feel like a favor to her. It felt like she was a pawn that had been moved around on a chess board. “If I didn’t know about it, how could I owe you?”

“I would have told you, if I needed to call in that debt.”

She didn’t know what to believe with him. “And the job with Antony? The dream job that just appeared out of nowhere? What about that one?”

“I might have given your file to Antony’s partner. Told Sebastian that you would be a good addition to the company. I was right, of course, you were a great addition. He and Antony hired you immediately after your interview. They were both quite impressed.”

A lump had grown in her throat. She choked it down. “You manipulated me.”

His jaw tightened. “I helped someone I believed had potential. I knew you would do great things. You did. You’ve been invaluable at Shark. I knew I could count on you to watch both Sebastian and Antony and—”

“God, do they both work for you?” She’d thought it was just Antony. But…Sebastian, too?

“Not anymore,” he muttered.

Once more, she looked out the passenger window. This time, she actually noted the scenery. The buildings. The road names. She didn’t think this was the way to Antony’s house. Unease slithered through her.

“Come on, Ella,” Dex chided her. The damn music continued to play softly in the car. “Why don’t you ask the question that bothers you the most? Why are you holding back?”

“Because I don’t know that I really want the answer.” But she couldn’t hide from it forever. “I think I hate you.”

“Surprisingly, I get that a lot.”

“It shouldn’t be a surprise, not even a little bit.”

The car turned. Her breath whooshed out in a relieved rush. She recognized this road. It was pretty close to Antony’s home.

“I put you in Antony’s path because I’d watched you over the years. I knew you were good at your job. Very good. I wanted someone in charge of security at his company that I could trust.”

Wait. Dex trusted her? Since when? Those words had her head whipping back toward him.

“I wanted someone who couldn’t be bought. I consider both Antony and Sebastian to be my friends, and I look out for my friends. I put you in his path, yes, but I did it because I knew you’d protect them both. My motives were quite good. I wanted a safety net for them, and you were that net.” He slowed the car. Sent her a quick glance. His voice dipped as he added, “I didn’t know you’d fall for Antony. How the hell was I supposed to predict that shit? I thought he might fall for you. Figured you’d just blow him off.”

She didn’t know what to say. Dex actually sounded put out with her.

“You ran from him. He ran after you. Then suddenly, the next thing I know, he’s got a target on his back. I had to get involved, and, look, I hate being involved. I’ve got a wife at home who gets extremely annoyed when I go on missions that don’t include her.”

Her jaw dropped. “What on earth does your wife think of you?”

“She thinks I’m incredible. The love of her life.”

Uh, sure.

“She knows I would break into heaven and destroy hell for her.”

Ella blinked as she studied him. He sounded completely serious.

“What do you think Antony would do for you?” Dex asked.

She wasn’t sure. She—

Her phone beeped and vibrated. Ella looked down at the screen.

Are you with Dex? Eric said he took you. Are you okay?

“I’m guessing that’s Antony. Such a worrier, isn’t he? You know what? I realized I asked you the wrong question.” Dex braked in front of Antony’s house. “Oh, just so you know, I still have eyes on