Page 55 of Mafia Rules

“He left me. I asked him not to go.” Every time I close my eyes, I see that look on his face. I hear the slam of the door and the silence that followed, confirming he is done with me.

“He’d have to go, Eve. All of my brothers can’t say no to Daddy. It’s in their blood.” She drapes her arm around my shoulders. “Ash loves you.”

That might have been the case before I asked Ash to obey me. “We said some harsh words, and the look on his face…He hates me.”

“So things got a little heated. Let’s have some space to blow off some steam. Once you talk to him again, everything will get sorted.” Grace gets on the floor, carefully gathering the crumpled clothes into tops and pants. “Now, let’s put these all back.”

“Grace. It’s over. That much I’m sure of.” I let out the last of a sob, determined to not let myself fall apart until I was out of here.

“I don’t believe that. I know how much he cares for you. You’re special to him, and Ash doesn’t fall easily.” She continues folding my clothes neatly and unpacking my bag.

“Sasha wants him…”

“Sasha will never have him.” She interrupts me. “There’s a lot of grim history there.”

“They loved each other once. What if that rekindles?” I ask, my voice trembles with a desperation I hate, hoping Grace could shed some light on their history that Ash wouldn’t.

“Would never happen.” Grace shakes her head. “And she’d love to get under your skin because she can see how Ash cares for you.”

“Our argument…was bad.” Even if what she says is true, our fight was explosive. “I don’t think we can come back from it.”

“Couples fight all the time. That doesn’t mean it’s over. Has he called or texted since he left?”

“I blocked him.” Lowering my head, the heat rises in my face, the impact of my mistake to be determined. I hate how stubborn I can be.

“Unblock him. He’s probably worried sick.” Grace picks up my phone from the nightstand and hands it to me. “How will you work it out if he can’t reach you?”

“I’m sure Sasha has him busy.” I reached for my phone, half expecting to see his name despite blocking him.

“You’re being silly now,” Grace says, settling beside me on the floor. “Ask me. Anything about him and Sasha. It sounds like he explained nothing about them to you. If he did, you wouldn’t feel so insecure.”

“How long were they together for?” I twist the fabric of my sleeve, a million unanswered questions battling for attention in my mind.

“Four years. Next. And get some juicy ones in there, too.” She smiles, trying to make me feel more comfortable.

“Were they going to get married?” I knew the answer, but I hope Grace's explanation would be more detailed and insightful than Ash's.

“Yes, towards the end, of course. But I’m not even sure he gave her a ring. And if I remember rights, it was more the father’s planning it and not for love.”

I nod, not thinking about that aspect of it. “She has this power over him.” I pause, gathering the right words for my emotional state. “He’s a different person around her.”

“She hurt and humiliated him. I don’t think he knows how to be civil around her, and I know because he told me he doesn’t want Sasha around you because he doesn’t trust her.” Grace reaches for my arm. “Ash will always protect you.”

“I don’t know what to think. The look on his face when he left this room.” I shiver. There was an unfamiliar coldness in his eyes, like those of a stranger.

“Ash had a lot of trauma growing up. Our father wasn’t nice to the older boys – no, he terrorized them. And as men, they turn into those little boys when he’s around. All looking for his approval.” Grace plays with the corners of my t-shirt she folded. “You’re good for Ash, and he knows that. He’s smiling again.”

“I don’t know what to do…or think.” My legs ache as I shift my weight on them, gazing up at the photo Ash had of us on his wall.

“I know what you’re going to do.” A glint of mystery sparkles in Grace’s eyes.

“What?”

“I’m going to find out where Daddy sent them, and you’re going to go see him.” Grace stands up abruptly, phone clutched in her hand, fingers flying across the screen in a furious text. “I’ll help you pack, and I have a dress that would be a dream on you!”

“I don’t…” I mutter.

“You’re going to go get Ash. He can get mad at me, but I know he’ll melt when he sees you. That boy has a terrible temper, but it’s short-lived.” She giggles as if remembering something about him.

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