"Excuse me, ma'am?" The cop raised a questioning brow at Abby, his notebook suspended in the air.

She flicked her eyes from his jaded stare to Adam's. His dark brown gaze looked at her inquisitively, but his face remained stoic and she was thankful. She hadn't intended to blurt that out. Nervously, she looked around. They had to get out of here. Dean was watching, she knew it. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and her skin prickled...she could feel it.

"I...I said I do have something missing," she stumbled, looking back at the cop. Her skin crawled at the sight of his uniform with the star blazing on his chest, but she managed to swallow back her revulsion. She needed to keep it together, if she didn't...they were all as good as dead.

"And what would that be?" the officer asked, licking the tip of his pencil and placing it on his pad.

"My purse is missing and my cloak." Reaching blindly out, she grabbed Adam's hand. His fingers entwining with hers gave her the extra bit of strength she needed as she proceeded to describe the silver clutch when all she really wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

"Was your wallet in it? Any missing identification? Credit cards?"

Abby shook her head. "No, just my cell phone."

The officer looked at her dubiously, but noted everything and turned to Adam. "Anything else, sir?"

"No, I think that's everything." Adam pulled Abby against him and she melted gratefully into his side.

"Very well, we will be in contact if we have any further questions." The officer slipped the notebook back into his pocket.

"When can I have my car removed?"

"I'm afraid I can't release it to you yet. It's still being processed and will be towed to our facility."

Adam made a disgruntled sound deep in his chest which vibrated through Abby's check, but said nothing. He merely nodded his head and started guiding her towards Erich and Jonathan who were waiting by the Mulsanne. Looking over her shoulder, she took one last look at the devastated Aston before she got into the backseat.

Jo Jo had been wrong. Dean was responsible for the fire. He left his proof on Adam's car. Abby bit down on her bottom lip to keep from screaming out in frustration. It may not have been his customary way, but there was no doubt behind the meaning of his little "note". For him, the game was on. Only this time...she glanced over at Adam's stiff profile...she wasn't alone. And she would be damned if she was going to give him the pleasure of making her run again.

Looking down at her hand completely swallowed up in his, she took a steading breath, batting down the panic that was trying to creep up around her. She wasn't alone, she reminded herself. That is if Adam would still have anything to do with her once she told him all her secrets. There was a possibility he would decide she wasn't worth the trouble. Turning her head towards the window, Abby's heart clenched painfully in her chest. She wouldn't blame him if he did decide to brush his hands free of her, but it would still hurt like hell.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" Adam's softly spoken question pulled her from her thoughts.

The mere mention of food made her stomach pitch. The sooner this was over, the better.

"No," she answered numbly.

He ran a hand through his lush hair and then over the stubble on his chin as he sighed deeply. She could see the events of the last 24 hours had been hard on him as well and guilt washed over her. It had seemed so long ago since she was in his arms. His warm lips on hers, her naked body wrapped tightly in his as he held her in his arms. Arms which could make the world disappear, leaving nothing but the two of them. It had felt so comfortable...so secure...so right. The heady bliss of the memory mingled with the real fear of him walking away and never seeing him again.

"Would you like to go visit Vivian?"

Vivian. Her brow dropped to a frown as the calling signs of a headache started and she rubbed it. Hell, she had forgotten she wanted to go visit her tonight. She blew out a breath. But, considering the circumstances, it would probably be best if she didn't. There was too much at risk. If she went to the hospital Dean was sure to follow her and she couldn't put Vivian in anymore danger. For now, it was best if she kept her distance, though it killed her to do it. Closing her eyes, she felt the all too familiar burn of tears behind her lids.

"No, I think it's best if we go home," she said, giving him a tight smile. "If that's okay with you?"

"You're wish is my command," he said throatily as he leaned down and took her mouth in a swift kiss. "I approve of you referring to it as home." His arms easily pulling her up from her side of the seat and fully into his embrace.

He tasted good and he smelled even better as she snuggled into his lap. Her fingers slid up his hard muscled arms until they reached his neck and into his hair. He shivered under her soft touch and he pulled her tighter against him. His lips ghosting the top of her head.

Calling the penthouse home had been an accidental slip of the tongue, but deep inside...she feverishly wished it was true. Logic told her she should stay away from him before he learned the truth, but it felt too damn good to let go. And not just physically. Yes, he was amazing in bed, but there was so much more to Adam Steele than what met the eye. Her hand glided over his chest, pausing over his beating heart.

There was a lot more here than he wished people to see, but...despite his rough exterior...she had felt it for herself first hand and wanted more. She never imagined she would find herself in this situation. Having avoided emotional entanglements for so long, she had not allowed herself to become too close to anyone. Yes, she thought she had loved Rodger, but now...she closed her eyes...she knew she hadn't. Not truly and not in the same way she felt about Adam. She had been upset when Rodger disappeared, but she would be crushed if Adam did the same.

There was so much balancing on his reaction to this mess that was her life. If he walked away, she would be lost. Abby cringed at the thought, her fingers tightening on his shirt as if she could hold on to his heart with her bare hands.

Adam nudged her gently, "Hey, baby. We're home."

Snuggling in briefly, she clung on for one last long moment, breathing his intoxicating scent in. Perhaps, for the last time. This was it...the time was now. Letting go, she watched him gracefully exit the car and extend his hand out to her. His gold Rolex flashed in the garage lights. That same palm he had extended those many nights ago when she sat on the street debating how to get away from him. Funny how things change. Now...she desperately wanted him to stay.

Grabbing on to his hand, she allowed him to help her. As he guided her to the elevators she noticed Jonathan following behind them. Not good, she thought. It was bad enough she had to tell Adam, let alone do it for an audience. Jonathan being that audience...made it worse.

"Don't worry, he won't be staying long," Adam said, squeezing her hand.

Her eyes jumped to his. The way he read her thoughts sometimes was unsettling.

"He happens to be standing right here and can hear you," Jonathan drawled, adjusting his tie.

"I am aware. Why do you think I said it so loudly?" Adam gave Abby a little wink and punched in the code.

"And here I thought you were trying to be tactful."

The doors skimmed open and they strolled hand and hand into the penthouse, but Abby and Adam stopped short at the sight before them. Jonathan bumping into the wall they created.

"What the hell?" Jonathan complained.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Adam growled, his body going rigid.

The tension in him reflected in the iron grip he held her hand in and Abby winced a little at the pain.

"Well, hello to you too, Adam," Jillian purred from her spot on the sofa. Swirling her glass of wine, she closed what looked like a folder in her lap.

"Jillina?" Jonathan poked his head around Adam's shoulder. "What are you doing here?" His blue eyes narrowed in disapproval.

"I got tired of waiting," she pouted prettily, setting her glass down on the table. "You said we would have lunch when you got back from your brother's, but..." she glared at Abby, "it appears you've been delayed." Turning her limpid eyes towards Jonathan, she smiled sweetly. "I thought I would come here and surprise you."

Rising off the sofa, she straightened her skin tight, midnight blue wrap dress and gracefully walked towards them in a pair of high black pumps. "What? No hugs?" she cutely asked Adam, raising her arms out to him.

"How the fuck did you get in here?" he barked as he brushed past her open armed invitation, dragging Abby along behind him and heading to the bar.

Tugging gently, but firmly, Abby managed to pull away from him and regain circulation in her hand. It seemed she wasn't the only one unhappy to see their unexpected guest. Of all the people Abby never wanted to see again, Jillian was in the top five of that list.

"I used Jonathan's emergency override key." She held up what looked like a credit card.

"How...when...," Jonathan strode over to her and snatched it out of her dangling talons. "I didn't give this to you," he said, scowling at her. The muscle in his jaw twitching.

"You will learn, little brother, Jillian is very efficient at acquiring things," Adam said drily, pouring himself a scotch and handing a bottle of orange juice to Abby.

She took it gratefully, not because she was overly thirsty, but because it gave her something to do with her hands. Which, at the moment, where itching to wrap around the blonds neck and squeeze. Instead, she twisted the cap off the orange juice viciously imagining it was her head.

"Oh, I am very good at procuring things," she said with a sly smile. "And it's a very good thing I did." She walked over to the folder she had left on the couch and scooped it up. Carrying it over to Adam, she plopped in on the table and gave Abby a cold calculating once over.

Beeshey woman, Abby thought pulling her eyes away from the cool gaze of Jillian's. She looked at the folder and then up at Adam who had become frozen. His jaw clenched as the little muscle next to his eye jerked.

"Where did you get that?" he asked softly, but his voice was harsh. Sounding like ground glass.

Jillian shrugged. "Out of your desk."

Jonathan jerked Jillian by the elbow and turned her roughly towards him. "What were you doing in his desk?" he snapped.

"I got bored waiting for you." She looked up at him and batted her long lashes. "I was looking for the remote control thingie for the TV."

The guiltlessness she was overly portraying was making Abby want to vomit. She had no doubt that whatever was in that file folder, Jillian had intentionally ferreted it out. If the woman had an ounce of innocence in her, she would have pawned it a long time ago. Probably for the blood of a child to keep her young, Abby snorted to herself.

"Get. Out. Now." Adam snarled, his features remaining hard and foreboding.

Abby shivered, glad those menacing amber eyes were not directed at her, though Jillian didn't seem to be effected. In fact, she seemed to only get angry.

"Why is she allowed into the great Adam Steele's sanctuary, but I never was?" Jillian hissed, yanking herself away from Jonathan.

"Jillian," Jonathan warned, his blue eyes crackling threateningly as he moved to pull her back to him, but she avoided his touch.

"No," she snapped at him. "I want to know. Tell me, Adam. Why?"

"Because she is my girlfriend and you...never were," Adam said flatly.

"Ah...well...isn't that sweet," she sneered. Turning away from everyone, she walked over to her wine and drowned the rest of it in one long swallow. When she was finished, she looked at the glass and Abby felt a twinge of déjà vu. "Yes...so sweet," she muttered to the glass.

"Enough, Jillian. Let's go. Now," Jonathan snapped, striding towards the elevator. "You are already in trouble, do not make it worse by making me repeat myself."

The steadiness of his glittering blue gaze, made Abby uneasy. The arrogant, self-assured power emanating from them had her shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Gone was the teasing Jonathan, in his place stood a man she didn't recognize and one she didn't want to.

Slowly, Jillian set the glass on the coffee table. "Of course, darling." Gathering up her things, she started to walk over to him, but stopped midway. "Oh, but one thing." Rotating on her heel, she faced Adam. "I may not have been your girlfriend, but at least I never lied to you." Pointing a long lacquered nail at the folder, she smiled evilly. "And at least I wasn't married while I was with you. Tell me Adam, how does it feel to know you are fucking someone's wife?"

With that, she strode to the elevator Jonathan was holding open. "That's two, love," he said softly and Jillian paled slightly. Not taking his eyes off her, Jonathan pushed the button and they disappeared.

What the hell was that about? Whose wife was he fucking? A barrage of questions bombarded Abby's mind. Her breathing quickened and her heartbeat too fast in her chest as jealousy and confusion twisted her gut. Though she hated Jillian with a passion and the thought of Adam having been intimate with her made her physically ill, she was right about one thing. Jillian was brutally honest. Had he been with someone else this entire time he had been with her?

Shakily she lifted the orange juice to her lips and took a drink to ease her suddenly dry mouth. Turning, she looked up at him only to be shocked at the furious scowl on his face. Directed at her.

"You're married?" he hissed, holding up a marriage certificate.

Glancing up at the paper, Abby spewed orange juice across the counter as she gasped in horror.

Author's Note:

Hello my darlings!

Well...I didn't think I would get it done, but by some miracle I managed to finish this chapter. I still have lots of things on my "life list" to get done, but I hope to eventually get caught back up with everything.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Bending Steele and I wanted to thank you for not only reading, but for being so patient waiting for the update. If you liked it, hopefully you'll give it a vote.

I hope to have the next chapter soon. When? I am not sure. Right now with my schedule I am shooting to get each book updated at least every other week. So if you don't see any updates here, please feel free to check out my other works...When Roses Collide, FANGED and Steal You Away.

Sincerely,

K