Page 27 of Mafia Rules

The soft closing of the door is followed by a distinct click that breaks the silence. At that moment, all I can think about is standing up from my desk, taking her in my arms, and running away from this place with her. Getting through the day feels like an overwhelming task, but it is necessary.

I open my computer to print off some notes from my last meeting with Carl, and notice an e-mail from Sasha.

Ash,

I’m sorry things didn’t go well tonight. I was sad you were so upset to see me. It’s been a while, so I hoped you would forgiveme. Maybe we can call a truce, since we must work together to close this deal. It was nice to see you. It brought back some wonderful memories.

Maybe we can catch up after our meeting?

Sasha

Fuck. I take a deep breath in and slam my laptop shut. She will not fuck with me again. I never want to be around her again, let alone have to pretend to be nice to her to close this deal.

My father loved the idea of us together and even blamed me when she cheated. His dreams of our families coming together were dashed. I’m sure he had names for our kids already planned. So far, none of his sons had children—that we knew about. A disappointment he loved to point out. Sometimes, he’d threaten to give it all to whoever had kids first, or more specifically, a boy—to carry on his name. I’ll never put that pressure on my kids with Eve.Where the fuck did that come from?

Eve doesn’t even know who I really am, and if she did, she’d run away quick. This wasn’t a life for sweet Eve. I can never give her the life she deserves.I also can’t let her go.

“Mr. McKenzie?” Stella’s voice on the intercom interrupts my thoughts.

“Yes.” Her voice is tinged with fear, making my stomach churn with nervousness. I knew what she was about to announce.

“Your father and Sasha are here,” she confirms.

16

ASH

Irush to the door and motion for Eve to sit still. If nothing else, Eve would not cater to Sasha—ever. I pull at my jacket as I hear Sasha's heels on the marble floor and swing open the door.

"Same space." A sly grin spreads across Sasha’s face.

Sasha and I had been engaged when my brothers and I acquired this building, and she picked many of the finishes. I had done nothing to change them, something I now regretted. I wish I'd taken the time to wipe out every one of her touches. She's reading something into the fact I didn't change anything.

"Too busy to update it," I grumble, looking behind her, expecting to see my father.

"He’s getting caught up with Stella. I thought we could chat for a moment before he joins us? Maybe make a plan together?” Her hand automatically reaches for my stomach, like she did when we were together three years ago.

I step back before she touches me. “There is no ‘we’ here.” My voice is low. From my periphery, I see Eve staring at her computer, but I can tell she’s not paying attention to the screen.

“I mean about your father. We had breakfast this morning, and he’s wanting a much bigger part in this deal. He doesn’t think you can close it.” Her attempt to charm me fails, and she pulls back, a hint of insult in her eyes.

“I’ll deal with my father.” I glance again behind her, hoping he’d arrived.

Sasha advances, encroaching on my personal space, and snatches my jacket, preventing me from moving. “You’re fucked if we don’t work together, Ash. Now, do you want me on your side? Or your father’s?”

This was the Sasha I remembered. Ruthless and vindictive with a sweet face. No one sees her coming till she slays you. “We can talk in my office.”

When her hand lets me go, I turn on my heels and walk back to my office, purposely avoiding Eve, until I hear Sasha approach her.

“Well, who do we have here?” Sasha's eyes scrutinize every inch of my Eve, leaving me feeling angry and on edge. I’d deliberately avoided Eve, fearing that Sasha might be tempted to interact with her.

“She’s a busy secretary,” I answer for her, motioning for Sasha to follow me. “Don’t bother her.”

Sasha pauses for a moment, as if trying to figure something out. Eve glances at me, her face confused but observant enough to know that something is wrong. I’m not usually this hostile to clients.

“Sorry, he’s in a bad mood because of me.” Sasha perches on the corner of Eve's desk, her face adorned with a sly, mischievous grin. “I do that to him.”

“Sasha, come,” I call to her like a dog, then realize my mistake as Eve’s eyes narrow, and she looks away. She knows my secret now.

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