Page 34 of Inevitable

“Do you want to talk about it?” I probe.

She lets out a shuddering breath before she speaks. “I caught my date screwing my best friend in our limo.”

I am shocked, I can’t even mask it. Who would be stupid enough to cheat on a girl like Ashlynn? The shock wears off quickly and soon I am furious. Who the fuck does that little prick think he is? I have always had an irrational protective streak when it comes to Ashlynn. It has never really come out, except for me having to bite my tongue extra hard when her dad talks down to her. But now? Seeing all of the effort she went through for this guy and to get treated like that? I want to make him eat his teeth, take Ashlynn away and finally claim her as mine.

“That is fucking awful. You deserve so much better than that Ashlynn.” Oh shit, did I just say that out loud?

She looks at me like she can’t believe I said it either. Then her eyes soften, and a hint of a smile plays at her lips. Interesting. I have caught the looks she has sent me before, just like I am sure she has seen the way I look at her. I just honestly never thought I stood a shot in hell with her. She is so beautiful and sweet and…perfect.

“It isn’t like we were dating or anything. It just hurts to be disrespected like that. I swear I have the worst luck with guys. The only ones that ever show any interest in me always turn out to be jerks. I wish I could find someone that actually likes me, not just wants to get into my pants or use me for my family’s wealth.”

“Maybe you just aren’t looking in the right places,” I suggest.

Shit, another thing I probably shouldn’t have said out loud. But she tilts her head slightly and her eyes twinkle with interest. Maybe it is my wishful thinking, but I could have sworn she just moved a little closer to me. Maybe I should tell her what I am thinking, no filter. I decide to make a bold move and scoot even closer to her. She gives me a sweet smile that damn near melts my heart.

“Where should I be looking, Luca?” She asks, a pink blush tingeing her cheeks.

God she is too sweet, too pure. Too good for me that’s for sure. I have resisted her for so long because I knew I could never be enough for her. But the look in her eyes tells me she isn’t thinking that. Maybe I am just an easy rebound right now, maybe I don’t care. I lean in slowly, giving her plenty of opportunity to pull away. But she doesn’t. Her pupils dilate as she watches me. I stop when I get a hair's width away from her plump lips. My breath skates across her skin as I speak gently.

“Right in front of you,” I whisper.

The next second I slide my hand to cup the side of her face and bring her lips to meet mine. Her velvety lips graze mine softly at first and I relish the feeling of them pressed against mine. The instant our mouths brush something inside of me breaks. I think it was my resolve because I know in this moment that I was always meant to kiss this girl. She was always meant to be in my arms, and if I have it my way we will never stop.

I smile at the memory and place a tender kiss across her lips. All I want to do is lay in this bed, hold her in my arms and never let go. But I have to focus on the efforts being made downstairs. I reluctantly leave her after instructing Marisol to stay by her side and get me if absolutely anything happens.

On the hour I start to receive phone calls from each crew with the same message from all. The Farelli are nowhere to be found. The cockroaches have scurried to the far corners of the earth without a trace. But we will find them, and when we do, they will be annihilated.

Chapter Thirteen

Ashlynn

I try to open my eyes, but they are so heavy. My eyelids feel like they are made of lead. I try again and this time they begin to comply. My eyes begin to focus, and I see that it is bright, I groan at the light.

I hear a ruffling noise beside me and look to see Luca lying next to me in my bed, watching me with an anxious look on his face. No wait, this is not my bed. Am I in his room? I have never seen it before so I can’t be sure, but if I had to guess.

“Angel,” he breathes, relief evident in his tone. “How are you feeling?”

He reaches out and runs his fingers through my hair just like he used to. Did I travel back in time or something?

“Y-you just called me Angel,” my voice cracks and croaks as I try to speak.

He holds out a cup with a straw and I drink like I haven’t had a sip of water in years. He gives me a soft smile as he brushes a strand of hair away from my face.

“Of course, I did. You are my Angel.”

His voice is uncharacteristically sweet, I didn’t think he was capable of being this way anymore. He leans over and kisses my forehead. I give him a confused look. What the hell happened to him? It’s like his personality switched and he is back to the old Luca.

I go to sit up and hiss in pain when I try to lean forward. Luca rushes to help me and I relax in his touch. I look to see that my entire left side of my chest is covered in white bandage. I look up into Luca’s concerned eyes.

“What happened?”

His brows dip and his lips purse slightly. “You don’t remember?” He asks.

I shake my head. “The last thing I remember was getting those greasy burgers and…”

And then just like a door being opened, memories of the attack flood my mind. The searing pain in my chest accompanied by Luca’s horrified look, men shouting, a man's dead eyes looking into mine. I look in to those familiar honey eyes, as tears begin to trail down my cheeks.

“Oh my god,” I choke out. “We were attacked. I was shot.”

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