that young starlet?”
“I read about it, yes, but he was acquitted some time ago.”
“Damn right he was, because Jude would never hurt a woman.” Just talking about the accusation had Denny bristling with fury all over again. “Elton Pascal is the murderous bastard who killed both her and Jude’s driver at the same time. The sick fuck has an affinity for homemade bombs.”
Ashley reached for Denny’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He could not be dispassionate when it came to this topic.
Denny calmed, saying in a more controlled tone, “Elton hates Jude and anyone who knows Jude. He had some of his goons work over May’s brother, Tim, who I reckon you’ll meet at the wedding.”
“Lucky you,” Ashley said.
Denny slanted her a look. “Tim’s working on changing, girl, so cut him some slack.”
Not likely. She didn’t tell Denny that the last few times she’d seen Tim, he’d come on to her, and it really creeped her out. He was such a weasel. But again, for May, she tolerated him.
“Anyway,” Denny continued, “Elton had thought to use Tim to get to Jude, but his plans backfired. They caught one of Elton’s henchmen, who spilled his guts on Elton’s involvement in the bombing, and now the cops from Hollywood, where it happened, the local police, and the ATF all want him for questioning.”
“This is unbelievable,” Quinton muttered, watching Ashley with growing concern.
“They should have had Elton by now, but he’s disappeared, and it seems no one can find him. Until he’s behind bars, our little hedgehog here needs to show more caution.”
Ashley tried to slug Denny in the shoulder, but with hardly any movement at all, he dodged the blow and she ended up sprawled over his lap.
“Easy, now.” Grinning like a loon, he dragged her upright again. “Was it the hedgehog remark?”
Mortified, she shrugged off his hands, smoothed her hair out of her face, and reseated herself. “Listen up, Gramps—”
He laughed, then pulled her into a bear hug that squeezed all the breath out of her lungs. In the next second, with Ashley still snuggled up to his side, his gaze pinned Quinton to the spot. “Ashley recognized Elton having dinner here in town. She called Jude, and like dominoes, it all fell apart for him.”
“So I know how to use a phone,” Ashley murmured. “You might as well call me Superwoman.”
Quinton still watched her, now with purpose as well as amazement.
Denny put his elbows on the table and leaned in. “So. What’s up between you two?”
It needed only this. “Back off, Denny.” Again she took her own seat.
“I’m just lookin’ out for you. For all you know, Elton could have hired him.”
Such an active imagination. “Since he’s as rich as Elton, that’s not likely.”
“Really?” Denny sized up Quinton in a long perusal. “What business are you in?”
“Consulting.”
“On what?”
“Everything. I show businesses how to make more money by cutting out unnecessary expenses, maximizing for efficient human capital composition, and at the same time providing better benefits to employees.”
Denny blinked. “Helluva mouthful.”
“I’ve rehearsed it.” Quinton’s lazy smile showed loads of confidence. “Basically it means that my employees help clients to determine problem areas through employee interviews, computer analysis and projection, competitor comparisons, market research, and historical trend research.”
“And you own this business?”
“With my uncle, but I’m the CEO and major stockholder. We have a couple hundred employees and multiple locations.” With satisfaction, he added, “And I’m not working for Elton.”
Denny’s fingers tapped on the tabletop. “I might do a background check anyway.”
Ashley groaned.
Quinton merely stared him down. “I might do the same.” His eyes narrowed in what Ashley now recognized as determination. “For a mere friend, you’re awfully involved in her welfare.”
Denny’s jaw tightened. “Now don’t go speculating on things, boy. I won’t like it.”
“And I don’t like being threatened.”
Both men rose from their seats, but damn it, Ashley didn’t want Quinton mauled before she could enjoy him.
She elbowed Denny in the ribs. “Don’t even think it.” He was so involved in his intimidation tactics that she caught him off guard and he stumbled.
“Brat,” Denny complained, rubbing where her pointed elbow had landed.
“Bully,” she countered right back.
Quinton looked from one to the other before coming to some private conclusion. “All right, children, play nice.”
Denny huffed at him, but Quinton extended his hand as an olive branch. “I like Ashley,” he admitted, and even though she’d already heard it, Ashley’s heart fluttered. “I’ve asked her out but she keeps turning me down.”
Denny took his hand. “Yep, that’s our Ashley. Stubborn to the bone.”
“I finally managed to finagle an invitation to the wedding as her escort, but I had no idea it was Jude Jamison’s wedding. I’ll understand if the security is tight and you’d rather no strangers be there.”
Odd, how the idea that he might not accompany her deflated Ashley. She didn’t want to go alone. “Denny,” she said with cool insistence, “tell him that it’s fine.”
Denny grudgingly did just that. “If she vouches for you, then I’m sure you’re okay. Ashley’s no dummy. Just pigheaded and prickly and strong enough to carry around a mighty big chip on her shoulder.”
“I noticed.” Quinton turned to her while digging a business card out of his pocket. “Here’s my number. Call anytime, okay?”
“I’ll be busy.”
He gave a sigh of annoyance. “Come on, Ash, you’ve worn that line out. How busy can one woman be?”
Denny opened his mouth, but Ashley slapped her hand over it. “Busy enough, okay?”
Quinton quirked a brow. “More secrets, huh?”
Denny, with his mouth still covered, managed a shrug.
Left-handed, Ashley tucked the card away in her back pocket. “Don’t push your luck, Murphy.”
Openly pleased with the exchange,
