Page 102 of Untamed Sinner

Ashford smiles. "Mr. Hendricks."

"Ashford."

His gaze slides to Mandy again. "So you found her. I wasn’t sure you’d be able to."

Mandy smiles sweetly. "Apparently I'm terrible at hiding."

His smile disappears.

I almost feel bad leaving her with him. The man doesn’t know what he’s in for.

Ashford looks at me. "I was told you were good."

I nod. "I am."

"And discreet."

I tip my head. "When required."

His eyes narrow slightly, as if he thought I’d bow to him. He pulls out his phone. “I’ll transfer the remainder of the balance to you.”

I wait, hands relaxed at my sides, until Ashford shows me the transaction receipt on his screen.

He puts his phone away. “We’re settled. You can leave now.”

Every muscle in my body locks. I knew this moment was coming. Planned for it. Built everything around it.

Doesn’t make it any easier.

I look at Mandy. She meets my eyes—no fear, no hesitation. Just trust.

In me.

Christ.

I want to put my body between hers and Ashford’s. To take her home and lock every fucking door between her and the rest of the world.

Instead, I have to do the one thing that goes against every instinct I have where she’s concerned—leave her.

So I hold her gaze for one more second.

Then I turn my back on her.

70

MANDY

Well, so far, everything is going according to plan—which is probably the most alarming thing that's happened all day.

The room Ashford leads me to is exactly what I expected: expensive, sterile, and designed to intimidate. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook manicured grounds. Leather furniture that costs more than most people's cars. Art on the walls that screams I have money and you don't.

Ashford stands near the window, hands in his pockets, studying me like I'm a particularly interesting specimen he's considering adding to his collection. I wonder what he sees. I know it’s not the six inches of sharpened steel holding my hair in place, waiting to piece his black heart.

I hate him. Not the hot, immediate hatred I felt for Turner and the men like him—the ones who bought and sold women like livestock. This is colder. It’s the hatred you reserve for men who think they're untouchable because they've never been touched.

All I need is for him to get close enough and this will be done and I can go home to Hendricks. He’s too far away, all the way across the room.

"You’re not what I expected,” he says finally.