CHAPTER 132

“But you said . . .”

“What did I say, baby?”

She huffed in a breath, expelling it long over her lips. “You said it wasn’t like that. That I have a choice. That you wouldn’t do something I didn’t want.”

He sighed patiently, his gaze boring into her face. “Baby, it’s done. You don’t get a choice because the choice has already been made. And I’m not going to apologize for not discussing it with you beforehand. It was my choice to make. You belong to me. Told you from the start that I take that very seriously. That means I protect you. I do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe and well cared for.”

“Would I have ever known if I hadn’t run into him?” she whispered.

Ash immediately shook his head. Unapologetic. Gaze steady. Unwavering.

“No. Not something I’d ever want you to know or even think about. I’m pissed because you had to see him at all.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to shake off the buzzing in her ears. This was crazy, wasn’t it? Ash had taken a huge risk. Fo