Page 14 of Inevitable

“I’ll let the men know about the Farelli…and that Miss Adams is most definitely off limits.” He throws me a wink and hurries out the door.Asshole.

I shake my head. Then my mind starts drifting back to the woman of the hour. She has become a permanent fixture in my thoughts lately. I can’t get the hurt look on her face out of my head when I walked past her like I didn’t know her. I saw the excitement in her eyes when she first noticed me in her father’s office and the look of sadness when she realized the feeling was not reciprocated. She seemed to have had the same expectations last night.

I had last night all planned out. I would sit her down and calmly explain the situation. My plan was to make it clear that there will never be a future for us. I think I minorly succeeded at that. She was desperate for me to say or do something, anything, I think. All I could do though is stare. Ashlynn is so damn beautiful I can hardly think around her. That is dangerous as hell for me and everyone around us. I don’t need something as hugely distracting and time consuming as Ashlynn in my life. I need to get rid of her quickly before I lose my mind.

As much as I tell myself that I need to push her out of my head, I can’t help it. She really thought we would pick up where we left off. Is it really possible that she thought of me over the years like I thought of her? Doubtful. Gio had to pick her up while she was on a date for fucks sake. Although according to Gio she seemed relieved to be interrupted. I cannot imagine being on a date so bad that you are relieved to be kidnapped. I chuckle to myself at that.

Then my mind starts to drift as I think about this evening's encounter with her. I blow out an exasperated breath and take a healthy sip of my drink. What did she mean that she suffered consequences searching for me and my family? And how had that information never gotten back to me when I started having her watched? I am angry at the way that she spoke to me about how I treat my staff. I am The Don, The Boss. I can’t be the same laid-back happy kid I once was, there are expectations now. People need to fear me, respect me.

Still, I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. I know she is confused and hurt at my cold attitude towards her. If I could, I would sweep her into my arms and never let her leave them again. But I don’t want this world for her, she deserves more. Funny how I set out to make myself worthy of her, and I think I have only become less so.

But she is here for now. I had to buy some time. I couldn’t stand by anymore. So maybe it's best if she is mad at me, it will make everything easier. For some unknown reason a knot twists in my chest at the idea of her angry with me though. We need to talk, really talk without her screaming at me and where I say more than one word at a time. I get out of my seat and stride to my door opening it and leaning out.

“Marisol!” I shout. Within seconds her petite body come’s flying down the staircase towards me.

“Yes Boss?” she asks staring at my shoes.

“Tell Ashlynn to come down here immediately, I need to speak with her.” I order and then pause. She starts to scurry away when I add, “Please.”

Her head whips around and she gives me a bewildered look before nodding and making her exit. Have I really become such an asshole that my staff is shocked when I use simple manners? My mother must be rolling over in her grave. Maybe Ashlynn is right, I am sure they would be very disappointed in the man I have become.

Chapter Five

Ashlynn

The tears dried up about 20 minutes ago and the sun has just set. I have since scrubbed my face clean to remove the dried black streaks of mascara and slipped into a pair of cotton pajamas I found. I numbly stare at my reflection in the mirror as I brush my hair when I hear a voice come from the doorway.

“Ashlynn?” Marisol calls out.

I step out of the bathroom and see her standing by the door. “Hey,” I say softly. “Do you need something?”

She gives me a sympathetic look when I come closer. Clearly my efforts were wasted, and I still look like the hot mess that I feel.

“The Boss would like to see you in his office right away.”

My somber mood fades and the anger that filled me earlier returns. “Oh, he does? Well, you can tell him to go fuck himself! If he wants to see me, he can drag his conceited ass up here and tell me whatever he has to say himself. Tell him to stop being such a selfish prick, and to stop having his staff do his dirty work for him.”

She lowers her head and stares at her feet, twisting her hands nervously. “I’d really rather not,” she whispers.

My anger eases and a pang of sympathy runs through me. It isn’t this poor girl’s fault I am stuck here. Hell for all I know she could be forced here too. I nod my understanding and sigh.

“I am sorry if it gets you in trouble, but I am not going down there to see him. I can’t.”

Marisol gives me a pained smile before she turns to leave, which makes me think she very much will get in trouble for not forcing me downstairs. I hope he isn’t dumb enough to think it has anything to do with her capability but everything to do with how much I don’t want to be around the shell of a man that I use to love. Hell, that I still love, even if he isn’t in there anymore.

A few minutes pass before Luca bursts through my door. His posture is rigid, hands balled at his sides as his chest moves up and down rapidly with harsh breaths. I look up at him a little stunned by his lack of control over his emotions. Then I harden and remember how utterly pissed I am at the man before me.

“What the hell do you want?” I scoff.

His nostrils flare and eyes widen at my words, or maybe it was my tone. Either way I could really care less.

“You need to learn your place. You are in my house and you are expected to follow my orders. I will not tolerate disobedience.”

I jump out of bed so quick it makes my own head spin. I march up to him, getting so close our chests brush against each other. I try to push down the desire that swirls in my lower belly at being so close to him and focus on my anger.

“First of all, I didn’t ask to be here, so you can fuck right the hell off with that. Second, disobedience? What am I a damn dog?”

“You sure are acting like a bitch,” he says with indignation coating his words.

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