Chapter 110

The car halted at a red light. From the backseat, Ashton said, ‘Make a left turn.’ ‘But boss, our destination’s to the right.’ ‘Left. Make a detour.’ The driver obeyed without further comment. They turned onto Garrison Lane, three blocks from Nyx Collective’s office. The car slowed, crawling through a street lined with outdoor cafés, post-lunch strollers and errand boys on scooters wobbling under coffee trays. Ashton had meant only to drop in and say hello. Well. If he was being honest with himself, he also wanted to check out her workplace, survey the male population, identify and quietly eliminate any potential threats. He trusted Mirabelle to stick to their contract clauses, but he also knew he wasn’t the only man with eyes in his head. Then he saw her. And the plan changed. She wasn’t alone. A man stood in front of her on the pavement, both hands on her shoulders, face tight with concern. He said something. Mirabelle’s back was to Ashton; he couldn’t catch her reply. The man droppe