Page 51 of Inevitable

I giggle and give him a quick peck. “You aren’t too bad yourself my love.”

He gives me a devastating smirk that has me rubbing my thighs together for some much-needed friction. Luca seems to notice my reaction and tosses me a sultry wink before pulling back and grabbing a box off of the table. When he hands it to me, I furrow my brows in confusion. I slowly lift the lid and gasp when I see what is inside.

“Luca!”

He softly chuckles and removes the dazzling diamond necklace and matching earrings, bringing them up to me as he fastens the necklace while I put on the earrings. They are so extravagant I have no doubt they cost at least a quarter of a million dollars. Does he really have this much money?

I touch the necklace once it is secure and look up to him. “My love, it’s beautiful. But I can’t. This is too much.”

He rolls his eyes like my objection is ridiculous. “I knew you would say that if I tried to buy you anything. These were my mother’s. My father bought her this set for their anniversary when we started living here. I know she would be honored to know you have them. Please,” he adds as he gives me a sweet smile and hopeful eyes. How could I ever say no to this man?

“They are beautiful, I will always treasure them. Thank you.”

“Good,” he smiles, placing a kiss to my temple as we head for the cars. “But you are going to have to get over the whole gift thing, Angel. I am a very wealthy man, what good is all the money in the world if I can’t spoil my woman?”

I shake my head and sigh before I kiss his cheek. I grew up with lavish things and one thing I have learned is a life like that is only surface deep. Everything I want from Luca is nothing that he could ever buy, and he knows that. But growing up with as little as he did, I guess materialistic things are highly desired in his mind.

He holds out his arm for me and I loop mine through as he walks us out to the car. Once I am inside, he slides into the back with me while Michael and Freddy get in the front. As we are driving down the road Luca turns to me.

“So, Michael and Freddy will be sticking close to us all night. They are going to be the ones to get you out of there safely when things go down. I want you to do exactly what they say no matter what okay?”

“Yeah,” I say looking out the window. I don’t like this bait and switch thing. Something feels off and I can’t help but think it won’t go as smoothly as Luca thinks.

“Angel, I’m serious. No matter what you see or what happens you will be going with them. I know you. You have a bleeding heart, but I assure you no one in that room is as important as you.”

I twist my face up at that. I know that he is only saying it because he loves me, but it doesn’t settle well with me that he so easily disregards every other person’s life in comparison to mine, most of all his.

When we pull up to the entrance I tense. Luca seems to notice instantly as he reaches over and grabs my hand, placing a gentle kiss on the back before sliding out of the car and helping me out. When we step out there are paparazzi going wild asking questions, trying to get Luca or my attention but we stare straight ahead and walk in as if they weren’t even there.

The ballroom is extravagant. It’s decked out in luxurious gold and plush white decor. Luca said the plates were $20,000 a piece so the décor fits well. It’s more done up than any event I have ever attended before.

We head to find our table and almost immediately I spot my father. His eyes are trained on us like a hawk. I feel Luca’s body tense next to mine and it must mean he has seen him too. I try to pull Luca away, but my father is already heading for us. Not one to shy from confrontation, Luca takes my hand and drags me forward with him.

“I thought he wasn’t supposed to come within 1000 feet from me?” I whisper nervously.

“Don’t worry Angel. He will never hurt you again.”

I let out a slow breath and lift my head slightly, attempting to portray confidence that I do not possess.

“Ashlynn,” my father greets coldly.

This man has done horrible things to me in my life, seen me as more of an object than an actual human being. Hell, he tried to sell me off! Twice! He may be a father by blood but not by heart.

“William,” I reply, matching the icy tone he provided me.

Now that I am no longer under his thumb it feels freeing to treat him with the indifference I have received for years. His eyes narrow at my use of his name and he sneers at Luca.

“So, looks like you have turned my own daughter against me? Is that the only way to gain her affections, you worthless trash.”

Luca barks out a confident, powerful laugh and shakes his head at my father like he is a disobedient child. This clearly catches my father off guard because for the first time in my life he looks unsure of himself for a moment before he quickly fixes his face back in to a sneer.

“You have done plenty to turn her against you yourself William. Need I remind you who you are speaking to? I would tread very carefully with how you regard me from now on. I am known to have a bit of a temper these days.”

Luca gives a predatory smirk at his last remark which only makes my father’s face contort more with rage. He knows Luca is too powerful for him to touch, too dangerous.

“You are nothing but a thug and one day that is going to get you locked up or killed. I am personally hoping for the latter.”

My father’s bravado is so hollow his words hardly hold any merit but nonetheless it’s disrespect, and that is not something Luca will tolerate. Before he has time to reply a slimy voice chimes in.

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