Don't Tell My Husband

's

that we had just walked into a trap as my eyes gradually changed to the low light. Nathaniel's stress was palpable nex

Two guys surrounded him; they were thugs, more like statues, immobil

eeth closed. "

el and fixed me with his frigid stare. Ava, you have to be worn o

as. Charles, we both know you are not

pret. He got closer, and the two men flanking him moved with hands on their hidden weapons. This is not a

front of me. Take up wh

takes involved." He waved, and the guys pulled Carter toward the middle of the space. Blood ma

e low and lethal. "Don't," h

ced. "You outmatched, out

h. Our path out of this was not one we could fight. Not witho

's warning hold on my arm. "You wish for control?" You

inquisitive. Tell me, Ava, e

with a firm voice despite han

g, he said, "Don't." You

ary. and you... He gestured to one of his guys, who gave Carter's gut a

ulled back with all my might. "You cannot,"

" Charles said, taunting. S

h; his body shook against mine.

w," I replied, low and despera

e to defend, fight, and destroy the man who had taken so much. But

es, downing my anxiety.

forward, his breath frigid agai

nct screaming at me to go.

is voice a low purr. "You already sh

nd rebellious: "I'm n

his soldiers. "See Nathaniel. Let u

hinking. "I will take care of it. Whatever it

athaniel, his voice was rough. Not presen

d, my skin crawled. "You see, Nath

turned to face him. "If I agree,

s some thought, t

his hold terrible tight. "No

look at him. "You have to

s voice quivering with barely regul

now,"

d unsaid words flew between us. Then he vanished as the guards

rately, predatory. "Brave words, A

all even as fear twisted in

ward, black with promise in his

ezing closer. I had become caught. I would

ice a whisper. "This i

room seemed to be closing in, the walls surrounding me, the air heavy with peril. Clutching m

y but chilly voice. You actually

ed too. "Safety, sweetheart, is only an ill

back, surprised even by the fury in my voice. You have just threats

to wince. You believe you could stand here and challenge me?

n my chest yet my voice was as cuttin

won even a slothful of me. At last he let me go, a mocking laugh breaking out on his lips. "Brave

llowing hard. "If you damage them,

me?" asked Beside me. Give yourself over as some great sac

the words were wounded. You

te himself, he leaned

undervalue me." That's your first error. Your sec

inty. He quickly covered it with another nasty smile, but I knew enough to reali

stepping back. But you wi

to find one of Charles' men staring back with a

closed. "What

g at me, then spoke. "It r

rted in rage, and for a split second I sensed fear-the o

ispered, "He escaped." "W

, angry eyes flashing

in spite of the horror snarling inside me. "I

oud crash. Chaos broke out; I knew this was our only opportunity. My pulse thumpin