Page 15 of Inevitable

The crack that sounds in the air makes the room fall completely silent. My hand is still raised, and his cheek is now reddening. I honestly don’t even remember hitting him. The red mist settled in and I can’t remember what happened after that. Apparently, I slapped Luca. Good, he deserves that and more.

His face is frozen in shock. I am sure he can’t even remember a time someone he wasn’t at war with raised a hand to him, though right now it sure feels like we are at war with each other. The shock slowly dissipates and all that is left is pure, undiluted anger. His hands twitch and I wait for the returning blow, some kind of retaliation. I raise my chin to prepare myself. I am used to repercussions for my actions and whatever he throws at me, hitting him was worth it.

I think he can read my thoughts though because just as quickly as the anger had set in, it’s gone and only curiosity remains. Who would have known one man could feel so many emotions so quickly?

He stares at me for a moment longer before he turns his back and quickly strides out of my door and slams it shut with a resounding thud. I stand there more than a little confused. That’s it? I slap a Mob Boss and he storms away like a toddler? No punishment? Maybe he is taking a moment to think of something truly awful. Whatever, I don’t care anymore. He can try to hurt me, break me. Seeing him like this, so distant to me, his disdain barely restrained hurts more than anything he could ever come up with. And you can’t break something that is already broken.

-

The next day no one bothers me, and I stay holed up in my room the entire time. Marisol knocked on my door for breakfast, lunch and dinner but I refused them all and sent her away. I am not being so dramatic as to go on a hunger strike. I simply can’t stomach the thought of eating right now. As tough as I am trying to be, I am right back to being the weak little 16-year-old girl he left all those years ago. He has so much power over me and my emotions and I am sure he knows it too. The fact that he can treat me, and my heart so carelessly back then and now doesn’t even make me mad anymore. I am sad.

It is now about 11PM and I know that skipping all my meals for the day was a dumb choice. I need to force myself to eat. I don’t know what Luca has planned for me, but I need to be prepared for anything and have my strength. Besides, maybe I can snoop a bit and find a way out of here. I have to ask myself if my father’s home is really better than being held captive here though? I don’t really know the answer to that, so I push it away for now.

I slip on a pair of slippers from the closet and peek out the door. I notice there is not a guard at the door anymore, I wonder when that stopped? I slowly creep downstairs and through the foyer. I haven’t seen anyone so far which seems a little odd. Shouldn’t there be people, I don’t know patrolling or something? I shrug and keep moving quietly through the house as I get my bearings about me.

I get to a set of doors to the side of the entry way and hear murmured voices. Before I have a chance to duck out of a sight a beautiful woman saunters out of a large set of doors. She has long chestnut hair with perfectly bronzed skin and a satin red dress that displays a super model worthy body. Her red lipstick is smudged and her hair slightly mussed.

Her large green eyes land on me as they trail an assessing gaze over me. I feel incredibly naked and judged under her scrutiny. Sorry I left my Versace dress at home while I was being kidnapped. I internally roll my eyes but remain silent.

She flicks her eyes back up to mine and a cruel grin graces her lips. “You lost sweetie? My man is incredibly busy, and I don’t think he appreciates servants wandering around his home when they should be working.”

Her words are sharp and tear through me. Her man? Is she Luca’s girlfriend?

“I am not a servant,” I say as I raise my chin, trying to appear more unaffected than I really am by her presence.

“Ah, a hooker perhaps?” Her hateful eyes rake over me quickly again. “I must say you might want to dress a little better next time. But no need to bother him, he has been plenty satisfied for the night. Trust me,” she says with an evil glint and a wink.

I ball my fists at my sides to make sure I don’t slap this bitch. “Not a hooker,” I grit through my teeth.

She shrugs like she is bored with this conversation already. “Whatever, I got to run. If you know what is good for you, you’ll stay away from him though. One mustn’t touch what isn’t theirs, hmm?”

I open my mouth to tell this woman exactly what I think of her when the doors creak open and Luca steps out. I look and see that lipstick is trailed across his neck and his normally crisp linen shirt is rumpled. I guess that answers my questions. I feel like my heart just dropped from my chest and slammed into the bottom of my stomach.

His hard gaze lands on the woman, a dark look passing across his face. “Colette what are you-” He stops when he sees me, and his eyes widen only slightly. “Ashlynn, do you need something?” His tone is surprisingly gentle considering our last encounter.

I shake my head angrily. I don’t know what I expected. For him to guard his heart as carefully as I guarded mine for all those years? Holding out for me? Waiting for me? I am such an idiot.

“No. Just getting to know your girlfriend. I am sorry to interrupt.”

Luca shakes his head. “No, you-”

“Are actually interrupting. Run along sweetie,” Colette interjects and shoos me away.

I scoff and walk back towards my room with as much dignity as I can, which admittedly is not much. When I make it to my room I run for my bed and burry myself before I let the tears free fall. God, since when did I become such a basket case? I rarely ever cry but Luca Mariano can send me into sobs without saying more than a few words.

I just want to go home. Even if home is hell, I want my old life back. I want Kiki and work and away from Luca. I fall asleep that night hungry, heartbroken and completely alone.

Chapter Six

Luca

“Get the fuck out you crazy bitch!” I sneer. I have Colette’s arm in a death grip as I drag her ass through the house and out the door.

“Luca, baby! What is wrong with you? I always come over on Monday nights. First you push me away in your office and now you are kicking me out? Is it that frumpy slut that was lurking outside of your office?” She shouts.

White hot anger flashes through me and in an instant I have her by the throat, pinned against the wall. Her eyes are wide as she desperately tries to grasp my hand that is closed around her. She is whimpering and making strangled noises of sheer panic. I shake her once and she quiets instantly. Slowly I lean close to her ear, my voice steady and lethal as I speak.

“Do not speak ill of Ashlynn, ever. Now, listen to me very carefully. You are nothing to me. You were a way to pass time. I no longer have a use or want for you. You will leave, and never come back. If you take one step on to this property ever again, I will kill you. Do you understand me?”

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