Page 130 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

I step forward so I’m at Thorn’s side, ask, “Why are you here?”

Preston’s eyes go cold at my tone—sharp and disrespectful, two things he hates in equal measure—but he just smiles and says silkily, “We need to talk, baby.”

“We’re divorced,” I remind him. “There’s no reason for us to talk about anything.”

Those eyes stay cold, but his smile widens. And it’s the same as before—charming on the surface, disturbing underneath. “Come on, baby,” he cajoles. “It’ll just take a minute.”

Stephanie shifts uncomfortably beside him…and the final pieces snap into place.

I turn to her. “You were watching me for him?”

No reply. But her eyes slide to the side, and…I suppose that’s answer enough.

Damn. “You know he’s abusive, right?”

Her gaze shifts back, and that’s answer enough too. She knows and doesn’t care or doesn’t believe it or doesn’t want to leave him.

“Baby, don’t be like that,” Preston cajoles. “You know it was all a misunderstanding.”

“Are you talking to me or your girlfriend?” I ask dryly.

Stephanie jerks, but it’s Preston who moves, taking a step toward me, fisting his hand.

Thorn shifts, his arm going around my waist, but he doesn’t pull me behind him. Instead, he stays by my side and trusts me to handle it.

And as I look at the man in front of me, beautiful and polished and once everything I thought I wanted—and all I deserved—I feel…nothing.

Preston has no power over me.

Not any longer.

This man, who taught me to fear.

This man, who convinced me I was weak.

This man, who made me small…

He’s nothing.

I laugh at the realization and his eyes darken.

But I’ve got this.

Because I’m not weak and I’m not a victim any longer, and because…

I’m not alone.

I won’t ever be alone again.

“For the record, Preston, there will never be anything for us to talk about.” I glance up at Thorn. “Let’s go.”

His eyes pierce into mine—then they shift to shoot daggers at Preston—but he just nods and we move toward the SUV.

I gasp when fingers wrap around my arm and I’m jerked roughly out of Thorn’s hold.

Thorn turns with me but I’m already moving.

I lift my knee…