Page 30 of Inevitable

“I just want what is best for you. I am worried. You know how much I care about you.” He huffs out a humorless laugh and shakes his messy red hair. “Actually, you don’t. Ashlynn, I have been wanting to tell you this for a while now but have never really known how. Then you just up and disappeared and I was so scared that I would never see you again, so scared I would never get the chance to tell you. Ashlynn I lo-”

“Time to go,” Luca snaps as he steps into the room.

Obviously, he was eavesdropping and wanted to interrupt before Ian professed his love for me. I hate myself for thinking it, but I am kind of relieved. I love Ian as a friend but there are 0 romantic feelings there and never will be.

I nod and look to see Ian’s face flushed with anger as he glares at Luca.

“We are in the middle of a conversation here. Can you give us a minute?” Ian sneers as he pulls my hand towards him.Oh shit.

Before I can blink, Luca has Ian pinned against the wall by his throat. His hand is clamped tightly around his throat as Ian frantically groans and kicks, trying to get away from Luca.

Luca murmurs something into Ian’s ear, making him whimper as a tear slips down his cheek. Then I see the gun that is pushed into Ian’s ribcage. I rush towards them and pull on Luca’s arm desperately.

“Please don’t hurt him Luca. Please. He is my friend. He didn’t mean anything, he is sorry. Right Ian?” I say as I turn my eyes towards his pleading.

Ian nods quickly as his gaze goes back and forth between Luca and I. Luca however is only staring at me as he seems to be contemplating something. His eyes narrow for a moment before he throws Ian to the floor, towering over him.

“Spineless,” he mutters before he takes my arm and drags me out the door.

“Luca,” I grit through clenched teeth.

He ignores me as he continues walking quickly through the office and to the elevator. His men are in tow and the whole office is staring at us with wide eyes and mouths open.

“Luca,” I say a little louder this time. Still, he ignores me as he drags me in to the elevator. “Luca!” I shout.

“What?” He snarls. Before I can respond he pushes me up against the cool metal wall of the elevator and cages me in with his arms on either side of my head. His face so close to mine that our noses brush.

I try not to let his aggressive movements startle me too much, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t caught off guard.

“Wha-what the hell was all of that? He is my friend! You can’t just treat people like that!”

His eyes narrow at me for a moment. “Sure, I can.”

“No, you can’t. You could have hurt him, you could have-”

“Killed him? Yeah, I tried. You interrupted and begged me not to,” he says as he rolls his eyes. “Maybe next time he won’t touch what isn’t his.”

“I am not a piece of property. I belong to no one!” I bark.

His mouth tips up into a small grin as a condescending look takes over his face. “Please don’t fool yourself Ashlynn. You have always been mine; you always will be too. I will be happy to relay that message to anyone who needs the reminder.”

I sputter for a moment as I try to think of what to say to that. The erratic thumping of my heart proves that I liked his words way more than I should have.

“Then stop pushing me away! If you want me, then have me. If you don’t then drop the possessive asshole act! Jealousy is very unbecoming of you,” I sneer.

Luca’s eyes narrow in slits as he watches me carefully for a few moments before he leans in slightly.

“If you think for one moment that I feel threatened by that poor excuse of a man, you are sorely mistaken. We both know who plagues your thoughts when you are lonely at night. As for my feelings for you, believe me when I say it takes near all my self-restraint just to be in your presence.”

His breath fans across my skin instantly making me dizzy. All of the sudden, I can’t even remember what we were fighting about, all I can focus on is his full lips just centimeters away from mine. Before I can even think of what to say or do next, he pulls away abruptly and the doors slide open. Luca strides out quickly as if nothing happened and I am left standing there dumbfounded. I need to get laid or something, my hormones are out of control.

As soon as we get settled in the car, we take off again. I sit silently with my arms crossed before I speak up. “I am still mad at you.”

He nods and lets out a soft sigh. “For what it’s worth, I don’t even recollect grabbing him. It was a reaction.”

“A reaction to…?”

“Another man touching you. Seeing it makes me sick,” he says sincerely.

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