Dominic grabbed my arms, pulling me toward the exit.
“You’re mine. There will be no divorce.” His voice sent chills down my spine and everything instinct I’d fought so hard to quash during the two months I’d been away returned in full force.
“What are you doing?” someone yelled from behind me.
“We’re not done,” he snarled, giving me a shove and I fell backward, hitting the ground awkwardly. I wrapped my arms around myself, watching him take off as two guys ran over.
“Are you okay,” the taller one asked.
“I am,” I answered, carefully hiding my trembling hands. “Just an ex who doesn’t understand he’s an ex.”
“Do you need us to walk you back to your seat?” the other chimed in.
I shook my head. All I wanted was to get back to Ashton as quick as possible. “No. I’m pretty sure you guys scared him away. Thank you.” I forced a smile, hoping to make it more convincing.
The tall one looked around, scanning the crowd. “If you’re sure. Can I at least walk you to your section?”
“I’m right across the concourse.”
Forgetting about the ladies room, I let them lead me across the way to my section, my eyes darting everywhere, wondering if Dominic had really left, or if he was somewhere nearby, watching me.
“Be careful,” they said and I nodded before walking through the entry and down the stairs toward my seat.
“You missed—” Ashton looked over at me and froze. “What happened?” His eyes searched mine.
“Nothing.” I linked my fingers through his. “Let’s watch the game.”
“Don’t pull that shit, Elena. Look at you—you’re shaking. Something happened and I want to know what it is.” His tone left no room for argument.
I swallowed and my voice shook as I said, “I ran into Dominic.”
“Jesus Christ.”
He lifted his hands to touch me and I couldn’t help it; I flinched.
“Fuck.”
His hands dropped to his sides but I could see the tension in his body. He took a deep breath then asked, “Are you okay?”
I shook my head.
“Okay,” he said, but his voice was so low I knew he wasn’t talking to me. “I’ve dealt with him enough to know that you don’t just run into Dominic without him saying something stupid. Want to tell me what he said?”
“He . . . umm . . .”
Ashton reached up and pushed the stray hair out of my face and behind my ear. I wasn’t entirely comfortable but I allowed it, knowing that he wouldn’t hurt me.
“Elena, it’s okay. I’m right here. I won’t let him get to you again.”
Needing the comfort, I leaned into his side. “At first he yelled at me for kissing you on screen, then he kissed me.”
Ashton was out of his seat and halfway up the stairs before I could stop him. Leaving our things by our seats, I raced after him. He beat me to the concourse.
“Ashton!”
He stood about ten feet in front of me. The reflection on his glasses from the lights above was not enough to mask the cold determination in his eyes. Needing to be close to him, I ran over and slipped my hand in his.
“Don’t leave me,” I begged. I didn’t care how desperate I sounded. I didn’t want to be alone. And I definitely didn’t want him doing anything stupid.
When he turned to me his features softened. “I won’t leave you, but I also won’t stand by and let that prick put his lips on you.”
“I told him I was filing for divorce.”
“You did?” Ashton’s face was a mixture of confusion and wonder. He paused for a second, thinking something over before he asked, “How did he take it?”
“He said he wouldn’t allow that and pushed me up against the wall near the ladies’ room.”
He ground his teeth together. “I’m going to kill that bastard when I get my hands on him.”
I was still freaked out and just wanted to push it out of my mind. Focusing on the fun we’d had would help. “It’s been a perfect day. Can we just watch the game and worry about Dominic later?”
Ashton took my face in his hands, placing the sweetest, softest kiss ever on my lips. “Okay. Let’s go.” He took my hand and walked me back to our seats. I could see the tension in his shoulders, but knew he was trying to hide it—for me.
The second we sat down, Ashton pulled out his phone. His fingers flew across the keys as he sent text after text. A few minutes later, he put it away and sighed.
“We’re getting you self-defense lessons.”
I thought about arguing, but it couldn’t hurt. Even if I never had to use the skills I’d learn, knowing that I’d be able to overpower Dominic if he ever came at me again would give me some comfort. Ashton wouldn’t be around forever. It was the smart thing to do.