Page 104 of Some Kinda Romance

51

DASH

When Serenity texted me, I was sitting in my office with Lance, doing damage control but suddenly finding myself having to fight the urge to run out the door.

He groaned. “What is it now? The florist got kidnapped?”

“It’s nothing like that,” I said, ignoring my hardening dick under my desk. “I just, uh, I told Serenity I’d drop by after work, but she saw the video so she wanted to check in.”

“Is she okay?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

I blew out a breath, finally moving my eyes away from my screen and back to his. Knowing that she wanted to finish what we’d started in Vegas was making it difficult to concentrate on anything else, but what had happened earlier was serious.

“She says she’s fine. Apparently, she’s feeling much better and she’s not pissed at me for getting rough with her ex, but I’ll feel better once I see her instead of just reading the words.”

Lance nodded, scratching the side of his neck as he thought it over. “Yeah. I get that. God, how was she married to that guy?”

“I have no idea, but I swear I wasn’t trying to fuck with the company’s reputation, bud. I know I’m going to have to put out a statement saying that I don’t condone violence. You don’t even need to go there.”

He exhaled, seeming relieved. “You want to tell me what happened?”

“I know it looks bad, but I didn’t just shove him out of nowhere,” I explained patiently, even though it felt like there was a tornado wreaking havoc on my insides. “He called her a whore, Lance, among other things. I lost it. I couldn’t stop myself. As soon as that word came out of his mouth, I saw red.”

“I get it. I would’ve done the same thing, but you’re right about having to come out with a statement about it. Without audio, it looks like he might’ve come here to talk and you lashed out at him. He didn’t shove you or physically do anything else that might’ve provoked your response.”

I let my head drop forward and rubbed my palm over my face. “He’s an abusive asshole, Lance. We can finalize the statement today and put it out there in the morning. Whatever you think I should say, I’ll say. I shouldn’t have lost my cool, but he threatened me. Then he called her a whore. I just…”

“I get it, Dash,” he reiterated firmly. “Seriously, I understand. I don’t blame you. If there had been audio, then I wouldn’t even suggest you make a statement, but without it, there’s a possibility he’ll turn the tables on you and we can’t prove otherwise.”

“Check our security footage. The way he was ranting, one of the cameras might’ve caught something. Just in case. I’ll make the statement anyway, but you’re right. We need to be prepared. He did say that he’s going to become a problem for me if I don’t leave her alone and I’m not going to do that.”

“Nor should you,” he said, leaning back in his chair as he stared at me. “He really said that, though? He’ll become a problem for you if you don’t leave her alone.”

“Yep, she told me he was possessive and controlling, but this was the first time I saw his true nature for myself. They’re divorced, but he still thinks he owns her. He seems to think it’s only a matter of time before she goes back to him.”

“Shit.” Lance frowned. “You don’t think he’s dangerous, do you?”

“He’s definitely dangerous. I just don’t know in what sense. I doubt he’ll show up at her apartment with a weapon, if that’s what you’re asking, but there are a lot of things he can do to hurt her that don’t involve physical harm.”

He grimaced. “What about you? He did say he’d become a problem for you if you didn’t leave her alone. Do you think he’ll show up at your apartment with a weapon? If he wants to hurt you now too, it’s something you should consider.”

“My building’s security should be good enough,” I said. “Hers, though, not so much. Maybe I should ask her to move in with me.”

“Maybe, but that’s a recipe for disaster. You guys are just starting out. You’ve come a long way, but moving in together will be permanent. It’s not like there’s a manhunt for Ethan and it’s only until he’s found. Legally, he’s done nothing wrong. In fact, you could be arrested before he is.”

“Fuck. That’s true. If I get arrested, I’ll sort it out. I’m not so worried about that, but I don’t want to force her hand. If she ever moves in with me, I’d rather it be because she wants to than because we’re afraid of what her ex will do.”

“Exactly.” He shot me a small smile. “I’m glad you understand. You really have grown since you’ve been with her. It’s good. It’s a good thing.”

I nodded, but I hadn’t told him everything that had happened out there earlier. If I had, he wouldn’t have been smiling at me. It was between me and Ethan, though. It had nothing to do with Lance or anyone else, but I hadn’t just shoved him.

“That whore may not⁠—”

That was as far as he’d gotten in his sentence before I had him against a wall, but while we were there, I whispered a threat of my own. “Don’t say another word. If you want a war, we can do that, but I will ruin your perfect face if you ever say another word about her.”

I shook off the memory, but I’d meant what I’d said. I’d go to war with him if that was what he wanted. Ethan was well off, but his family didn’t come close to mine. I had more resources, more connections, and a better reputation.

His had taken a definite knock during the divorce, when Serenity had told the truth about what he’d done to her behind closed doors. While I knew she’d barely scratched the surface in those papers, what had come out had been enough to taint him.