Page 50 of Ruthless Intent

ASHLEY

My alarm goes off at six-thirty. I wish it could say it woke me, but I barely slept and I’m staring at the ceiling when it shatters the silence. I’d escaped my mom’s questions about my date with Zain by claiming a headache and going to bed, where I tossed and turned all night long.

I’m not looking forward to meeting him for breakfast, and I’ve spent all night trying to think of a way out of it and come up with nothing.

I signed a contract that gives him control of my life for fourteen months. I signed it without letting any kind of legal representation look it over.

Why? Why would I do something so stupid?

The answer is simple. Because so far everything he’s said has been true. And I can’t guarantee that his claim about my mom going to prison is false.

If he’s as innocent as he claims, which I don’t believe, that means it would be just as easy to convince people that my mom had something to do with the deaths. And there’s no way she would survive being sent to prison. He’s right about that. And I’m not going to be responsible for making that happen.

My alarm chimes again, and groaning, I roll out of bed. I need to take a shower, and maybe drink a gallon of coffee before he gets here. I want to have a clear head to deal with whatever else he plans to do.

I catch sight of myself in the mirror as I walk toward the door. My skin is pale, and there are dark circles under my eyes. There’s no way anyone is going to believe I’ve fallen in love with the man I’m meeting and want to rush into marrying him after only a couple of days.

What have you done?

Maybe he’ll have changed his mind this morning, and will listen to reason.

And maybe a dragon will fly past my window and lead me to his hoard of gold.

By eight o’clock, I’m showered, dressed, and standing outside the front door. I don’t want him to knock, or come inside, or speak to my mom. As soon as I see the car coming along the road, I hurry down the steps and wait on the sidewalk.

The passenger window slides down when the car comes to a stop.

“Are you running away or waiting for me?” His dry tone irritates me.

He knows damn well I’m waiting for him, so instead of answering, I open the door and climb into the passenger seat.

“Good morning, Ashley.” There’s that tone in his voice again when he says my name. It makes my heart jump, and I don’t like it.

“There’s no one here to impress.” I clip the seatbelt into place.

“Manners cost nothing.”

“Says the man forcing me into a fake relationship.”

“Revenge has nothing to do with manners.”

“Is that all this is? Revenge?”

“If you haven’t figured that out yet, you’re not as bright as I was giving you credit for.”

“Where are we going?” I ignore his comment.

“The Snack Shack on the waterfront.”

A place that will get a lot of foot traffic as it’s close to the beach.

The parking lot is already filling up by the time we arrive, and Zain finds a spot around the back. His hand rests against my back as we make our way to the entrance of the diner, and the heat from his palm burns through my T-shirt. It’s a move that I’m quickly associating as his method of choice to keep me moving in the direction he wants me to.

Once inside, he directs me to a table near the windows. I slide onto the bench seat, while he sits opposite me. A server appears seconds later, coffee pot in hand.

“Can I get you guys something to drink?”

“Water for me. Coffee, cream, one sugar for her,” Zain says before I can speak. “Can we also get pancakes with maple syrup and blueberries, and one of your breakfast specials?”

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