Page 14 of The Devil’s Lair

“Your husband shot me, and you’re apologizing? You have impeccable manners.” He flashes a broad grin.

“But you were shot because of me.”

“No. Because of him.”

“Yes, but I brought that gun into your club.”

Tobias chuckles. “This could go on for a while. I’m not complaining. I enjoy a bit of banter.”

I look up and smile. “It’s all such a mess.”

“Meh. Messes have a way of working themselves out.” He pushes himself a little more upright, wincing as he does so. “How are you doing?”

Dreadful.

“I’m okay,” I say, voice small.

“My condolences for your loss.”

I huff a laugh. “It’s no loss, believe me.”

“No, I guess it isn’t.”

It suddenly occurs to me that this man has seen me naked. He’s seen my husband raping me. He’s seen the terrible scars I bear on the outside. The ones on the inside are a hundred times worse.

“How did he die?” I ask.

He glances at Isla, then back at me.

“It’s okay. She won’t follow the details. Just keep it brief.”

“My head of security took care of it.”

“Is he in trouble?” I can’t bear to think of anyone else suffering because of me. I’ve done enough damage.

“No.”

“He isn’t being charged?”

“No.”

“Lucky him,” I mutter.

“What do you mean?” Tobias’s eyes sharpen, the levity of earlier vanishing into thin air. “Have you been charged?”

I nod. “I attended court on Saturday. It was the gun, you see. Illegal firearm. I’m on bail pending my sentencing hearing in six weeks. My in-laws think it’ll be custodial.”

His lips flatten. “Your in-laws are wrong.”

“I don’t think so. My father-in-law is an MP. He knows about the law.” Tears fill my eyes, and my vision blurs. “I’m sorry. This isn’t your problem.”

Tobias leans forward slightly, studying me with an intensity that makes me want to squirm. Those eyes of his are mesmerizing. "Do you have a solicitor?"

"Not yet. I need to find one, but..." I trail off, not wanting to admit how dire my financial situation truly is.

"But?" he gently prompts.

I swallow hard. There's something about this man that makes me want to be honest, even when honesty is humiliating. "I don't have any money. Marcus controlled everything—all the accounts, the finances. I found some cash in his desk, but it's barely over a thousand pounds. I don't have access to any of his accounts or his credit cards." The words tumble out in a rush. "I need to find work except I have no qualifications, no experience, and Isla needs me. I don't know what I'm going to do."