I gritted my teeth. “You know that’s not what I meant. Leave this thing with pop stars, corrupt managers, and criminals alone. I’m sure you’ll get your chance at another big story.”
“If I leave this alone, then I might as well quit journalism.”
“Ava…”
“Goodbye, Lincoln.”
“You won’t get far without me. I’m going to cancel that meeting with the insider. The one close to Phoenix.”
She glared so hard at me, I should have exploded. “Are you serious?”
I steeled myself against the hurt and disbelief dancing across her face. “Forget the goddamn story.”
She wrenched out of my hold. “I’ll find another source.”
“Ava—”
The door she stomped through slammed shut.
“Fuck!”
I ran both hands through my hair. What did I do now? I couldn’t throw her over my shoulder and take her backto Massachusetts, where she’d be safe from fuckingDorian Vauxhall.Not only had I failed to protect her, but I’d also failed miserably at earning her forgiveness.
“So… how did it go?”
I glanced at Alex, whose face took up my phone screen, with a scowl.
He nodded. “Enough said.”
“If she resented me before, sheloathesthe very air I breathe now,” I sighed and gulped down my drink.
“Sorry, man. I kind of feel like this is my fault.”
“No. I asked you to help. I wanted to win Ava over, you know? Show her I could use my connections to help her. I knew the whole thing was risky, but I wasn’t expecting Dorian Vauxhall.”
Alex peered at the screen, studying me intently. “Linc, I know damn well you’re not afraid of some Hollywood gangsters.”
“I’m not.” I took another gulp. “I’m terrified for Ava. I can navigate just fine in the underbelly of this town, Alex. But I want her nowhere near those people or their mess. She’s…”
“Fierce and is going to continue without you,” Alex said.
“Dammit,” I groaned, massaging my forehead. “I know.”
“You might as well get on board, man.”
“I know.”
Alex chuckled. “You get used to it—running behind a stubborn, independent, courageous woman. You learn to go with the flow and protect her in any way you can.”
“Speaking from experience?” I asked.
His lips twisted wryly. “Olivia has gotten it into her head to take downanothercorrupt biomedical company. I think I created a monster after I helped her take down the last one.She’s determined to clean up Boston, one biomedical criminal at a time.”
I smiled. His wife kept him on his toes, alright. Knowing Alex, he probably enjoyed every minute of it.
“I’m sure you’re concerned about her, though, as I am for Ava.”
He blew out a breath and leaned back in his office chair. “I worry about her safety, of course. But I’d never refuse to support her with something important to her. Besides, the way she looks at me in the end, when I’ve loyally stood in her corner, is worth the stress.”
