Arrogant bastard thought he had me. I leaned back in the chair and waited for all of it to play out in front of me. As long as the idiot didn’t figure out the real reason why Elena was currently in my care, I would be walking out of there in no time.
“Want to tell me why you kidnapped Mrs. Tolley in the first place?” he asked, not looking up from his paper, waiting to write down whatever I said for later.
“I didn’t.” It happened to be the only answer he would get out of me, until either Elena or my lawyer showed up.
“You told us exactly where to find her, and yet you say you didn’t kidnap her.”
“Exactly.”
The door swung opened and Arthur, my father’s lawyer, stepped through. “That’s enough of the questions. I’m Mr. Colburn, Mr. Hawes’s attorney. From what I understand, he’s given you the information to prove he is innocent. At this time, he will not answer any more questions until you stop treating him like the accused and instead realize that he’s actually the victim.”
The detective clenched his jaw, but made no attempt to correct Arthur, instead, leaving the room, the door crashing into its frame as he slammed it behind him.
Arthur took the chair next to me. “What the fuck happened, Ashton? Your father is ready to storm the place.”
“I take it Dad’s here?”
“You could say that. I’m not the only lawyer he brought. Now do you want to tell me what the fuck happened so I can go out there and calm him down, before he makes any of this worse on either of you?”
“The soon-to-be ex-husband of the woman I’m seeing claims I kidnapped her.”
“Elena?”
I nodded, curious as to how Arthur knew that.
“Don’t look surprised. Your father told me all about her. Now let me go out there and calm him down.”
Before he had a chance to stand, screaming could be heard from the main lobby and it happened to be the only voice I wanted to hear.
CHAPTER 27
Elena
“From the top,” Alan called from somewhere near the back. “Vince, remember where we made the changes to the blocking.”
We’d been rehearsing the same number for the last three days when Alan decided that the scene didn’t work and we needed to start from scratch. My feet were sore from all the dancing, not to mention my throat was scratchy. At some point Alan would need to give up and give us a break.
The intro to the music started and I counted the beats. I was the first to come in. I heard my cue and started to sing. Suddenly, the door was flung open, the heavy metal handle crashing against the wall and startling everyone in the room. Six police officers ran through the door, guns drawn.
Alan jumped from his seat and into the aisle, his hands raised. “I’m not sure what’s happened, but I think you have the wrong place.”
The one in the front took a step forward, calling out, “Elena Tolley?” and all heads, excluding those of the police officers, snapped in my direction.
“I’m Elena Tolley,” my voice squeaked out.
He holstered his gun and came toward me. “You’ll have to come with us, ma’am.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and stood stock-still. “I’m not going anywhere with anyone until someone explains what is going on.”
“Ma’am, we have Ashton Hawes in custody. He is being questioned regarding your disappearance. Kidnapping,” he clarified.
My eyes practically popped out of my head. “You what?” I yelled.
Alan ran up onto the stage. “You arrested Ashton?” he asked, a bit more calmly than me.
Why in the hell would they think that Ashton kidnapped me? I was only clueless for a fleeting moment because the answer slapped me in the face.
Dominic.
Asshole was still finding ways to ruin my life.
“Officer, I can assure you Ashton did not kidnap me. I’m with him of my own free will.”
The officers looked at me like I was crazy, probably thinking I was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. The ridiculous thing about it was that the jerk parading around their station, most likely with his head held high, had caused me more damage than anyone could imagine.
“Are you sure you’re okay, ma’am?”
“I promise, I’m fine.” I knew I could fix this whole mess when I got to the station. Taking a deep breath, I tried to force myself to relax. “Give me a second to grab my things and I’ll come with you.” I gave a curt nod and headed off stage.
Alan followed me to the back dressing rooms. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I shook my head. “No, I needed to stand up to my soon-to-be ex-husband sooner or later.” I lay my arm on his. “Keep working. I’ll fix this mess and be back tomorrow.”
He pulled me into a hug. “I’m glad he sent you to me. Take care of him tonight—he’s going to be pissed.”
“I will.”
I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran around to come out of the audience door instead of the stage door. The officers were still there waiting. “Let’s go,” I said, leading the way to the doors.
We walked out to find the place surrounded by even more cars. Members of EMS came running up to me with a stretcher.
“Are you all right, ma’am?” one of them asked, reaching out to take my hand and lead me to the ambulance.
I snatched my arm out of his reach. “I’m fine. I wasn’t kidnapped, simply being tortured by my estranged husband.” I looked around at all of them, standing there. “Now will someone please take me to the station so we can clear this all up?”
“Sorry, Mrs. Tolley,” one of the officers from inside said as he approached. “Please, come with me and we’ll take you there.”
I followed him to one of the unmarked cars. Taking my hand, he helped me in, before climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine. The entire drive over my blood boiled, all of the things I ever wanted to say to the arrogant jerk running through my head. There would be no holding back this time. The minute the cop stopped in front of the station and opened my door, I pushed past him and took the steps two at a time. I pushed open the door and was searching for someone to talk to about getting Ashton released when his voice slithered over me.
“Elena, my lovely wife.”
My head snapped in his direction. His words were meant for the ears of the detectives.
I knew better.
Hatred burned bright in his eyes and when he stepped in front of me and took my hands like he was making sure I was okay, I felt his fingers tighten, squeezing my hands uncomfortably, a sly smile playing at the edges of his mouth. I tried to pull out of his grasp but he was stronger and pulled me to him, keeping me close so that my front was pressed against his. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, over my own arms, preventing me from moving, and with his chin resting on my shoulder, his mouth dropped to my ear.
“If you think for one second I’m letting you divorce me, you have another think coming. Now smile, say thank you, and get your fat ass in the fucking car.”
Some of my old insecurities rose up but I pushed them back as best I could. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Malcolm being held back by Miller. He gave me a nod and I let it fly.
Pushing free, I spoke to Dominic, my voice raised so everyone around could hear. “Get your goddamn hands off me. I’m not your lovely wife, as you conveniently choose to put it, considering we’re surrounded by police officers. I’m your soon-to-be ex-wife because you don’t know how to treat a woman.” I jabbed my finger into his chest, working myself into a fine rage. “You’ve spent every day of the last five years tearing me down. I thought I was worthless; that no one would ever want me. You made me think that I was only worthy of being a fucktoy to you. Your problem is that I found someone else; a man who treats me better than you could ever imagine. A man who makes me come over and over again as I scream his name.”