Page 11 of Mafia Rules

“So what’s this big secret you both have?” Hardy asks.

I look back, but he’s still not there. “Ash is better to explain.” I grab my presentation pack and pretend it’s the most exciting thing in the room. As the brothers make idle conversation around me, a knot forms in my stomach, a sense of discomfort settling in at being alone with them too long.Where was Ash?

“There he is.” Lane lifts his glass in acknowledgment as Ash rejoins the table.

“Sorry, phone call.” Ash looks at me with a playful smile.

“Phone call?” I repeat, leaning into him.

“Don’t worry.” He winks as if he's celebrating a victory.

“Why would I worry?” I whisper, desperately hoping the brothers are oblivious to the tension between us.

“We need to keep going. I have dinner plans.” Ash glances down at his phone, checking the time.

“A working dinner?” I ask. A rush of heat floods my cheeks at the mere idea of Ash with someone else. I slam my napkin on the table absentmindedly, inadvertently catching everyone’s attention.

“We can discuss that later.” Ash is back in business mode. He’s flipping through his papers and rambling on to his brothers. The thoughts in my head drowned out their voices. How can I be sojealous of this man? I’ve only known of his existence for a mere twenty-four hours.

“Eve?” Ash’s hand touches mine.

“Yes?” I break out of my thoughts and return to the table. All four of them are focusing their attention on me.

“Can you read the numbers on page six?” A low, rumbling tone escapes Ash’s lips, a troubled expression etched on his face. His hand squeezes mine under the table.

“Um... Yes.” With a shiver, I flip through the book, feeling coldness linger where Ash's hand used to be. I ramble off the numbers, encouraged by their responses. From now on, this was work. I didn’t care if he had the body of a god and made my insides melt into wetness with one sly look. He was used to having many women, and I wasn’t into that kind of guy. I’d work for him until I had enough money for my own place, and then I’d find a proper job.

“We need to keep this client at arm's length,” Lane says, and all brothers nod in agreement.

“I’ll continue to be the contact. No one else needs to meet them,” Ash adds.

“You sure?” Hardy asks.

“It’s best that way, for everyone.” Ash makes eye contact with me as I try to decode his brother's concerns.

“I can keep Dad off your back till next month, but I can’t guarantee anything past that,” Ford says.

“He’s off fucking that redhead.” Hardy laughs.

“Hardy.” Ash's voice serves as a warning.

“Sorry, Eve. A little too much sauce.” Hardy picks up his wineglass in acknowledgment, then finishes it.

We wrap up our meeting, and I stay at the table as Ash sees his brothers off. I tried to stay focused on professionalism, but I zoned in and out during the meal, as the warmth of Ash’s body holding mine was all I could think about besides the feeling ofbeing his possession that he wanted to protect.I can’t let him treat me like this.

“Eve.” Ash’s hand rubs the small of my back, and I let him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I move away, picking up all the packets his brothers left behind on the table, concealing the potential tears waiting to fall at another thought of him and another woman.

“What’s wrong?” Concern etches Ash's face, creasing his brow.

“Nothing.” Anger seeps into my voice, and I can't help but acknowledge my slightly childish behavior. “We need to get back to the office.”

“I know the boss. He’s pretty lenient.” He smirks, trying to lighten the mood. “Now tell me, what has you bothered?” He steps behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing me firmly into his body.

“We can’t.” I push against the table to escape, but he doesn’t budge. A server enters to clean, sees us, then quickly retreats, closing the door behind him.

“We’re alone.” Ash’s voice is in my ear, his hands moving up and down my stomach, squeezing slightly, careful not to touch anything he could get in trouble for.

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