Zane grunted.
Brent chuckled, finally snapping out of his sensual haze. “I’m not saying we did, but even if there were videos I wouldn’t have been the one to keep them. Nor would I let you have them.” He paused. “Besides, man, I would have been in them.”
Stash ignored him, glancing at Ally. “I’ll pay.” I really think the man was serious.
She choked on her chicken.
Brent rubbed her back until she was able to speak. “I certainly don’t have any videos.”
She and Brent found their foodrealinteresting while everyone else’s gazes snapped to me. Lord. I jumped from my chair, grabbing my plate and rushing toward the kitchen. “Who wants dessert?”
“Oh no, you don’t, missy.” Stash grabbed the back of my pj top, hauling me into his lap.
“What?” I tried to look guiltless. I didn’t want to have this conversation.
“Let her up,” Cole stated slowly, just as Brent glared.
“The videos, doll.” My face burned brighter and he inquired further, “You have them in that duffle of yours?” His eyebrows bounced up and down.
“You’re a pervert,” I told him flatly.
“Agreed,” Brent stated. “I don’t much like her on your lap, either.”
“I’ll second that,” Cole asserted, eyes going icy.
“I’m not keeping her here,” Stash joked, waving his hands in the air. “Besides, I could ignore Brent on the screen if there were two females in it.” He smiled great big and innocent. The man was too pretty. And he knew it.
I got up, declaring, “I don’t have any videos, either.” I smiled just as sweetly.
Ally was watching my face, unfortunately. Hers turned white. “She’s not joking.”
“What?” Brent asked, glancing from her to me. His eyes widened even though I was trying my darndest to look in the clear. “Where are the videos, Ember?”
I pointed toward the kitchen, walking sideways. “I’m just going to get that dessert now.”
“Ember,” Brent lunged from his chair, stomping to me. “Where are all of the fucking videos? It wasn’t just you on there, darlin’. I’m sure Ally and I would both like to know they aren’t going to be found and plastered all over the internet.” He paused, looking horrified. “You didn’t give them away when Ally left you, did you?”
Smack!
The sound echoed throughout the penthouse. Brent stood stock still as his cheek flamed red, his head now turned to the right, while I held my smarting hand. No one said a word as his head snapped back in my direction and we stared one another down. I shook in fury and Brent’s eyes were huge.
“Oh, darlin’. I’m so sorry,” Brent whispered hoarsely, trying to wrap me in his arms, but I pushed his chest hard and managed to remain a few feet from him.
“Don’t you ‘darlin’’ me Brent Christopher Terrance after youactuallyasked me that! Have you really changed so darn much?” I pointed my still working finger and held my hurt palm to my chest. “And don’t you come near me unless you like being slapped.”
“Ember, I’m sorry. It was stupid of me to say. I know you wouldn’t do anything like that, but it shocked me that you don’t have them anymore.” He looked so darn muddled it was almost endearing, but I still trembled from agitation. “What happened to them?”
I yanked on my hair. Exhaled.The truth will set you free.“He burned them. All right? He just…burned them.”
“He?” Brent questioned, his face somehow mutating to a calm that nightmares are made of.
I nodded, peering off over his shoulder. “Daddy burned them after…after…” I cleared my throat, “finding them and watching one.” I shut my eyes and rubbed my face. I had run from the bastard. He wasn’t going to beat me. “Now, I’m going to get that dessert, and we’re all going to eat it and enjoy it.” I glanced at everyone. I’m not sure what they saw. I don’t think I wanted to know. “You hear me?”
All heads nodded. Good.
***
“What timeare you guys going to be back tomorrow?” I asked Zane as we walked down the hallway. The crew had decided that tomorrow Ally and I wouldn’t attend with them. They had three members of their staff driving down with their equipment and would arrive sometime during working hours. We would be here to let them in.
