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  She frowns. “But why not merge before I turn twenty-one?”

  Hayden’s lips twist. “It’s stipulated in the will that your father can vote in your name until you’re of age, but only on matters that don’t involve a shift of power among the company. He can’t sell or merge, not until you inherit and sign off on it.”

  Ash looks amazed by this new turn of events, and then her eyes clear. “Why not just forge my signature when the time comes? I know you’re both capable of it.”

  “If you sign off on anything that big, two lawyers that your grandfather hired must be present to bear witness. It’s stipulated in the will, so we have no choice but to follow the guidelines.”

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?”

  Hayden’s lip curls. “And have you get the notion in your head that you want to be involved in the business? I think not.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to defend Ash, but she’s learning information that had been withheld from her. Certain things about her past are probably beginning to make more sense.

  Slowly, her lips curve into an amused smile. “The lawyers can’t be bought.”

  Hayden’s lips tighten.

  “You guys should have just told me instead of trying to mold me into someone that I’m not. Involving myself in the company is the absolute last thing that I would want,” she tells him.

  He looks at her with annoyance. “You’ve been difficult from the very start.”

  “So you thought trapping me in a marriage would force me to do everything your way?”

  “Face it, you need looking after,” he says in a patronizing tone.

  “The hell she does,” I cut in, no longer able to silently listen to him treat her like she can’t string together an intelligent thought, much less two.

  Hayden gives me a cursory look.

  “I’ll sign away whatever you and my father want. I don’t want the company. I just want my own life, Hayden,” Ash says.

  “You’re not signing a damn thing,” I bite out. Ash looks at me with confusion, but I’m done listening to what Hayden has to say. “Let her go. Now.”

  Beside me, Colt takes a threatening step forward—his intentions clear. Either Hayden willingly lets her go, or he’ll make him.

  Hayden reluctantly releases Ash, and I’m certain she’s going to have bruises in the morning.

  She rushes to me, and I quickly wrap my arms protectively around her. Colt also steps closer to us, guaranteeing that Hayden won’t be touching her again.

  I focus my attention on Hayden. “This is what’s going to happen. You’re going to leave, and if you come back with reinforcements and whatever legalities your money can buy, we will be gone. Secondly, by the time you find us, you’ll find that Ash is no longer a Delegrave, but a Lock.” As the words leave my mouth, they feel right. So damn right. “As my wife, you won’t be going near her, because I will be her family. The family she deserves,” I finish. Ash has gone completely still in my arms, but I’m currently more concerned with Hayden.

  He stares at me. “You can’t be serious.”

  “She deserves more than you assholes could ever give her. As for her shares, your lawyers can contact ours. Now get the fuck out of our home.”

  Thirty-one

  Ashton

  I watch Hayden’s jaw clench, and then he stiffly turns and opens the front door, leaving. When he’s out of sight, I slowly turn to face Channing, my eyes focusing on his bare chest since he’s not wearing a shirt. He’s only wearing pajama pants, and it’s obvious he’d been in bed when I’d arrived with Hayden.

  Is this really happening? I’m trying to process it all, but the only thing I can comprehend is that Channing said he’d marry me. I’m almost afraid to look up into his eyes for fear that this is all a dream.

  Channing leans down to peer at me, his warm hands settling on my bare shoulders. In the corner of my eye, I spy Colt slipping away to give us privacy. “Fuck your job,” he says calmly. “I love you more.”

  My eyes lift, and I search his gaze and see nothing but honesty in their gray depths.

  “I don’t know when the fuck you stole my heart, but you’ve got it.” His eyes burn into mine. “Ash, take my name,” he pleads. “They can’t touch you then. Not ever. We’ll work out our differences, and while we do that, the marriage will be just in name only. When and if you’re ready, we’ll make it real.”

  I can’t believe he’s saying this. “You’d do that for me?”

  “I’d do anything for you.”

  “But marrying me…”

  “Feels right,” he finishes firmly. “There’s no doubt, Ash. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t certain. We can do this, you and me. It didn’t hit me until I saw Hayden just how close I was to losing you.”

  “Channing, this is too fast,” I say softly. One of us needs to remain levelheaded after what had just gone down.

  “Way too fast,” he agrees. “Which is why you’ll take my name, but we’ll continue to live in separate rooms. We’ll work on getting to know each other better and finding a way to make our relationship work. The rest can come later.”

  “But what if you meet someone else—”

  “There is no one else,” he says, cutting me off. “I’ve had three years of meeting women, and I admit, there’s been plenty. But none of them made me look twice at them. You’re it, Ash.”

  For the first time, real hope begins to bloom in my chest. “I was only working at the club until my new job starts in a few weeks,” I reveal. It’s time to clear the air about everything.

  Channing goes still. “You’re going to quit?”

  I nod with a smile. “But after tonight, I’m done,” I say with a shudder as I think of Matt allowing Hayden to remove me from the club. “I’m never going back.”

  Channing draws me to his chest, hugging me tightly. “Thank you,” he whispers.

  “Channing?”

  “Hmm?”

  I pull back and look up at him. “You really love me?” I ask with awe. I don’t think anyone’s ever said those words to me before.

  He smiles, and I can see in his eyes that he means every word. “Yeah, I do.”

  My heart skips a beat, and now my body is wired with hope and something else. Something so strong that I know it can only mean one thing. “I love you, too.”

  His head lowers, and his lips press against mine in a tender kiss before he pulls back, and something shifts in his gaze. “You shouldn’t give them your shares, Ash. After everything they’ve put you through, let them squirm and pay for what they want.”

  “I can’t believe my grandfather left most of the company to me,” I say with disbelief.

  “He must have loved you.”

  I shake my head, frowning. “No, I barely remember him. He died when I was six. But what I do know is there was a big rift between my dad and him. You see, my grandfather is the one who built the company, but I know my father and grandfather never really saw eye to eye.” I sigh and look at Channing. “I’m just a pawn in their battle of wills, even after death. The only reason I inherited the fifty-five percent was so that my father would have to scramble to do things his own way with the company.”

  Channing’s expression turns grim. “He sentenced you to a miserable childhood and a controlled future.”

  I nod in agreement.

  Hs eyes search mine. “It’s your decision, I won’t make you do anything you don’t want. I just hate to see you give up those shares so easily.”

  “I need some time to think upon it, but I think you’re right. As much as I hate my family, the money would help with my future. With our future,” I correct.

  Channing frowns. “Do you think we have to worry about him coming back with the police?”

  “Yes, we do. Do you have any idea how much those shares are worth? We’re talking millions.”

  Channing’s eyes widen. “Shit,” he says hoarsely. “We need to leave. Right now.”

  “Can I change fir
st?” I tease.

  His eyes slide over me as he’s reminded that I’m not wearing much of anything. “Absolutely.” He looks at me questioningly. “Las Vegas?” he asks softly.

  A huge grin begins to form on my face. “Definitely.”

  The front door opens, startling us. Channing immediately pushes me protectively behind his back while I try to peer around him.

  Gabe has arrived home. He hasn’t seen us yet, and instead, he’s staring at the knife in the door as he slowly closes it. When he turns around, he spies us. “What the hell happened here? Isn’t that Colt’s knife?”

  Channing relaxes, and he draws me closer to his side so I’m not behind him, but I’m still somewhat sheltered because of my lack of clothing. “You missed the excitement.”

  “That’s obvious.” Gabe’s eyes flicker to me, noting my skimpy attire. Much to my surprise, he frowns with concern. “Are you okay?”

  “I am, thank you.”

  “The Lock family is growing by one,” Channing tells him.

  Gabe stares at him with confusion. “Come again?”

  “Ashton’s taking my name. We need to pack, so come on up and we’ll fill you in,” Channing tells him.

  Epilogue

  Ashton

  I laugh as Channing insists on carrying me over the threshold of our hotel room. He turns and kicks the door closed with his foot before carefully depositing me on my feet.

  We’d just gotten married at a little chapel, and now we’re going to spend a few days in Vegas to sightsee. We’ve both agreed it’s not going to technically be our honeymoon since we’re not considering this a real marriage—at least not yet. But we do need some time to unwind from everything that’s happened.

  Channing grins at me, taking in my casual tank and shorts. “You’re the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen.”

  I snicker and eye his khaki shorts and tee. “So glad we dressed up.”

  “Next time.” He turns and walks to the suitcase we’d left sitting on the table, and he unzips it and pulls out a small box. He walks back to me and opens it, pulling out a delicate silver necklace. “Your ring?” he asks lightly.

  I slip the simple silver band from my left ring finger and hand it to him.

  He slides it onto the necklace, and I automatically turn so that he can fasten it around my neck. “When we’re ready, we’ll do it the right way,” he tells me when I turn back to face him. “We’ll have a real engagement, then the wedding—a real one, and we’ll renew our vows.”

  I nod, thinking over the plans that we’d discussed earlier. When we go back to Riverside, we want everything to go back to the way it was before Hayden arrived. I’ll begin my job at the salon, and Channing will go back to his busy schedule. Somewhere along the way, we’ll hire a team of lawyers because of the extent of how costly the shares will be. We’ll work on getting everything settled so that we can officially put my parents and Hayden behind us.

  Eventually, I will no longer have to ever worry about my finances. However, after some serious thinking, I’ve decided to give more than half to charities, and the rest I’ll keep. Even though I’ll have more than enough money to live a life of luxury, I’m going to ignore it and pretend it’s not there. Someday, it’ll be used for a house, Channing’s business venture, and hopefully one day our kids’ college funds. I’ve gained my independence, and I’ve learned what life is truly about. It’s not about money or material things. It’s about those that you surround yourself with. It’s about the people that you just can’t live without.

  Honestly, my life is absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing—not even my dyslexia. In a way, it led me to Channing. And along the way, I found myself.

  Gabe and Harper’s story Blackout is available at Amazon.com. Please take a moment and consider leaving a review. It’s very much appreciated!! For further updates on the Revolving Door series, you can visit www.facebook.com/DaniMatthews,author.