Unconditional (Masters and Mercenaries #5.5)(38)

“Grief makes people do crazy things,” Taggart said with a sigh.

“The Reids were always obsessed with their bloodlines,” Jill explained. “They expected Trevor to continue the family line. Now that he’s gone, Emily is the only one who could possibly do it. She’s the last Reid.”

“She’s not a Reid.” Ashley’s hands turned into fists. “She’s mine. Only mine because no one else wanted her. She’s a Paxon. They don’t get to take her away from me because their plans didn’t work out. God, Jill, it’s like I’m right f*cking back there and everyone is watching me, waiting for me to screw up so they can shake their heads and say they knew I was bad all along.”

“You’re not bad.” He had to reinforce that. He couldn’t let this set her back.

“I think a bunch of people would disagree with you. He was taking pictures to prove I’m a bad mom. They’ll haul me into court and say that I was out having sex when I should have been home with my baby.”

Jill reached out. “That’s not true. Ashley, she’s asleep by eight o’clock. Sanctum doesn’t even open until ten. You’re there to put her to bed. Ryan’s mom is watching over her. You get to have a life.”

Ashley shook her head. “No. I don’t. At least not now. Until this is cleared up, I need to stay home with her. I can’t give them anything to use against me.” She looked up at Keith. “I think we need to modify our contract, Sir.”

“What does that mean?” He didn’t really want to know.

She sniffled a little, tears falling. “I can’t come here for a while. I’m sorry, Ian.”

Taggart held up a hand. “I agree it would be better for you to play privately until this blows over. I have some data entry work you can do from home. You’re still on the payroll and I’ll still take care of this. Your kid is the important thing here. We’ll all support you.”

Her shoulders shook. “Thank you.”

Taggart stood up. “I’ll have Adam call when he finds something out, Keith. I’ll give you two a minute.”

He stepped out and Jill and Ryan followed after they hugged her, giving Ashley promises to stand by her.

Keith sat watching, his whole body still as though he’d just stepped on a land mine and wasn’t sure when it would go off. It would go off. The minute he stepped forward, it would blow up.

The door closed and he was left alone with Ashley, who had just lobbed a grenade his way. He couldn’t get the image of his carefully planned world being blown all to hell out of his head.

“I’m sorry to drag you into this, Sir.” She reached out a hand for him. “But I have to admit, I’m so glad you’re here.”

But she wasn’t asking him to be here. He could be here every night. That wasn’t a problem. She was asking him to be there, at her home, with her and her baby.

He sat back in his chair, trying to put off the moment that had always been coming, the moment when he showed her just how unworthy he was. He’d thought he had more time.

“I can’t.” He said the two words that meant the end of his relationship with her. “I can’t.”



Ashley could barely see him. Tears kept glossing over her vision, but unfortunately her hearing worked just fine. “What do you mean? You can’t come home with me tonight? Could we go to your place? I have to admit, I’m kind of scared that they’ll show up on my doorstep.”

He was her Dom. He was supposed to protect her, comfort her. Comfort and protection sounded damn good right now. She was sure he had a big place. She and Emily wouldn’t take up too much space.

“I can’t.” He stared at someplace just to her left, his face a blank mask.

She was brutally confused. “You just promised to help me. If it’s about the money, I can try to come up with it.”

His mouth tightened, the words grinding out. “I’ll handle the lawyer. I’ll pay for everything. I won’t let them take your kid, Ashley.”

She breathed a little easier. He’d been so good, holding her hand while they’d talked to the private investigator. He’d been a big old wall between her and the nasty world. “I can’t tell you how much I thank you for that. It’s okay if you can’t come over tonight. I’ll stay in the big house.”

He nodded, finally bringing his eyes up to her. “Good. You should. Ryan’s got a top-grade security system. He’ll take care of you.”

She knew that. She’d just wanted to spend time with him. Keith was busy. It was a Friday night, but he could easily have meetings on a Saturday. “Can I see you tomorrow night?”

He went still again, like a man who wasn’t sure what to say. He stared at her for a moment before slowly responding. “Of course. I’ll see you here at ten.”

Had he not listened to a word she’d said? “Keith, I can’t come here for a while.” It didn’t make sense. He didn’t act like a man who didn’t want to see her. “Please come over to my place. I need to see you.”

“We have a contract.”

Frustration welled. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“This is a D/s relationship, Ashley. I’m not your boyfriend. I’m your Dom. Our contract states we don’t see each other outside the club.”