Page 18 of Inevitable

“The Boss just has one rule.” I raise a brow expectantly. “No contacting your father,” she says causing me to scoff.

“I am pretty sure it is his fault one way or another of why I am stuck here so that is not a problem. I have nothing to say to that man.”

She nods her head and hands the bag to me. I guess this is some sort of peace offering from Luca, I am not going to question it. I pry it open to see that everything is still in there from my date with Andrew. Oh my gosh I totally forgot about all of that. He was going to propose to me. The poor guy is delusional if he thinks I would ever marry him.

I grab out my phone and find it dead. Of course. But I also see a phone charger is in my bag that wasn’t there before. I plug my phone in and once it finally turns on it buzzes to life with notifications for 5 minutes straight before it stops.

Oh geez. 15 missed calls and 20 text messages from Kiki, 5 missed calls and 9 text messages from Ian and 2 text messages from Andrew. Surprisingly enough nothing from Camila. Guess she is hoping I don’t want to work there anymore and doesn’t want to question it.

I read Andrew’s first since there are less of them and they both ask what happened and if I am safe. I am sure his ego is bruised at being ditched at dinner, can’t say I am too upset about that part. Then I open Ian’s and see texts that get more concerned with each. He even went as far as to assume that I was not showing up at work to avoid him. Finally, I open Kiki’s string and see an onslaught of frantic messages asking me where I am, if I am ok and that she went to my house and my father said I no longer live there and to call her immediately.

I pull out my phone and dial Kiki. It rings twice before she answers.

“Where the hell have you been! I have been worried sick! Are you okay? Where are you now?”

I chuckle at her endless questions. “I’m sorry Kiki, I was only given my phone just now. I didn’t have a way to reach you.”

“Where are you?” She asks again urgently.

I sigh. “At Luca Mariano’s.”

“Wait what? Really? You ran in to him or something?”

“Not exactly,” I say.

I then proceed to tell her everything that I know. Which doesn’t extend too far from something was up with my father and him and I am here for the time being. Also, that he is now apparently a Mob Boss. Oh yeah and he still makes my heartbeat like a jack hammer even if I want to hit him with a pickup truck.

“Whoa, that is crazy,” she says when I am finished.

“Yep,” I say resigned.

“So, is he still as hot as you remember?”

I let out a dry laugh at that, of course that is her first question. “Hotter. He may be an asshole but that whole dark and dangerous thing he has going for him only makes him sexier.”

“Damn girl, you are in trouble.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

Chapter Eight

Ashlynn

The following days drag, and I have now officially been here a week. How long is he going to keep me locked up here? He said for a while but what does that mean? A month? A couple? I don’t even want to think about it being longer. And what did he mean that first night when he said he was my best option? Option for what?

All of my meals have been brought up to my room and I have been able to eat occasionally. I just finished dinner and have thrown on a pair of pajamas for the night when someone knocks at my door. Must be a guard coming to take my plates away.

“Come in,” I shout.

Luca strides in, though his usual confident strut is missing. His hands are buried in his slack pockets and his shoulders are hunched ever so slightly. When I look at him his eyes look reserved, almost uncertain. Just like the night we admitted feelings for each other almost 8 years ago. The sight and memory combined make my heart clench and I have a hard time raising my guard.

“Ashlynn, how are you?” He asks.

“As well as can be. You?”

He nods his head. “Just fine, thank you.”

An awkward silence stretches between us for a moment before I speak up. “Thank you for bringing my phone and purse. I really appreciate it.”

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