Page 40 of Ruthless Intent

“No. I want to know how you know about Scott.”

“If you don’t sit down, I’m taking everything off the table that makes this decision more palatable for you. I’ll still get what I want, and I’ll destroy your mother in the process.” The pleasant way he delivers the words chills my blood.

“What do you want?” I don’t sit down.

His quiet sigh moves his shoulders. His head lifts, and dark eyes meet mine. “I told you. I want you for fourteen months. I’m amenable to staying silent about your mother to make it easier for you to agree, but trust me when I say that it really doesn’t matter. I’ll get you, either way. It’s simply a case of one way causing less in the way of rumors. So sit down and decide what you want to eat.”

“I want to go home.”

“That isn’t an available option tonight. You’ll sit here. You’ll smile. You’ll laugh. You’ll look like you’re having a good time. And when we finally leave, you’ll behave as though you can’t wait to see me again.”

“And if I don’t?”

This time his sigh is irritable. “You’re not that stupid, Ashley. You know what happens if you don’t.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ZAIN

I lean forward so I can reach my back pocket and take out the envelope I’d offered to her earlier.

“You got off lightly earlier. I had no intention of giving you a second chance to make a decision. So this is it. Sit down or walk out. Every choice you make has a consequence. It’s up to you to decide which one you’d rather live with. Just be aware that you’re drawing attention to yourself, and for someone who has spent years hiding from who you are, I don’t imagine that’s something you want.”

I count to three in my head, and mask a triumphant smile when she slowly lowers herself back to her seat.

“That’s better. You’re going to need to learn that it’s much easier to do things my way.” I place the envelope on the table between us. “Like I said earlier, this is the contract I’m proposing. Read through it.”

The server arrives then with our drinks. She pours a glass of wine and hands it to me. I shake my head.

“I don’t drink.”

“Oh! I’m sorry, sir.” She turns and offers Ashley the glass.

“Thank you.” Ashley sets it down on the table.

“You’re supposed to sample it, and confirm that you like it,” I point out, my voice dry. It might have been a while since I’ve been out to a restaurant, but I’m fairly sure that hasn’t changed.

Her cheeks turn bright red, and she snatches the glass back up to take a sip.

“It’s fine. Thank you.”

The server nods and places the bottle in the center of the table. “Are you ready to order?”

“I am. I’m not sure about Ashley. Do you know what you want?”

She flips open the menu and scans over it. “Are you getting an appetizer?”

“Sure. I’ll have the arancini appetizer, followed by ravioli di aragosta. Ashley?”

She clears her throat. “Funghi gorgonzola for my appetizer, please. And I’ll have the penne al forno. Thank you.”

“Great. I’ll be back soon.”

As soon as she’s gone, I tap the envelope. Her gaze drops down to it.

“I’m going to assume that by not leaving, you’re going to sign this. But you should read it so you understand exactly what is going to happen.”

“What if I don’t agree with something in it?”

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