Page 145 of Ruthless Heir

There is, however, no Josh.

He’s in his room. I can hear him. From past experience I know that means he’s retired for the night and doesn’t want to be disturbed. If I knock he won’t answer, and if I try to force my way in he just won’t speak to me.

Josh can be such an asshole at times. I know he stayed away all day to cool off and most likely so we wouldn’t have the conversation I want to have, but I wish he would talk to me.

I open the food and see it’s one portion of sweet and sour chicken and chow mein, just for me.

If he bought some for himself, he’s eating it in his room.

Fine. I’ll just eat out here. Maybe I’ll catch him if he emerges to go to the bathroom or into the kitchen for water.

But two hours pass without him coming out. I wait and eat, and I wait some more until my eyes are closing.

It’s after midnight now and all I hear is silence.

Reluctantly, I head back to bed.

The next morning I wake at eleven. Super late for me.

A quick scan of the suite tells me Josh isn’t here. He’s gone again and I can’t even call him.

My deadline is eight p.m. That’s when I’m leaving.

If he’s away all day like yesterday, well…

Well, it will break my heart, because I’m leaving anyway.

I shower and change. While I’m drying my hair I hear the front door open and I feel relieved that Josh is back.

Good, now maybe we can talk.

I quickly put my hair up into a bun and walk out to the lounge but I stop mid stride when my gaze lands on Vito Morales.

The loan shark from L.A. who Asher paid off and made him promise to never contact me again.

My heart slows, my lungs collapse, my skin shivers.

What the hell is he doing here?

“Miss St. John, we meet again,” he booms in a hearty voice, slicking his greasy black hair back.

“Why? Why are we meeting again?”What the hell is happening?

“A little bird brought it to my attention that I should have demanded more money from you.” He taps his chest. “I wasinclined to believe they were absolutely right when they told me whose arm you’d latched on to.A billionaire. Asher Le Blanche.” He holds up a copy of theNew York Chroniclewhich has a picture of Asher and me at the Astoria, taken weeks ago.

Oh my God, this isn’t happening.

“You were paid what you were owed. Even the interest.”

“But I want more. I was good to you. I gave you time and I’m sure you know that time is money. I need compensation for that.”

“No. Get out now before I call the police.” I’m trembling and I can’t hide it. He can see how terrified I am.

“I don’t think so, angel face.” He laughs in that deep gravelly tone that sounds like rocks moving around in his throat.

“Neither do I.” Nolan steps out from the bathroom, shocking me further. I’m so shocked any air left in my lungs evaporates. “I know you had something to do with Asher’s findings on me, so I did a little digging on my own and found your friend here.”

Oh. Fuck.Nolan is the fucking bird Vito was talking about. “You asshole.”

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