She nodded wordlessly and rose to her feet, then she slowly walked toward the door, head held high like a fucking pageant queen.
I would kill her if it would save him.
Instead, she was going to kill herself.
How the hell did I let this happen?
Where he saw strength, I’d always seen weakness.
And now I knew the truth.
We’d trusted her too soon.
Never again.
“Claire?” I called after her. “Take a few days to decide.”
“It’s decided.”
I expelled a sigh. “I was afraid you’d say that.” I walked back around to my desk and sat, folding my hands in front of my face as I spoke. “I’m extremely disappointed in you.”
She lowered her head as my assistant opened the door to escort her out. “You’ll see, Chase. You’ll see.”
Funny. I already did.
And if my son didn’t love her so damn much—I would have put a bullet between her eyes the minute she opened her fucking mouth.
“Chase?” Tank said my name as he took a seat in that same green chair. “Did you hear anything I just said?”
“Some of it,” I lied. “Just repeat the important parts. I have a busy day ahead of me.”
He snorted out a laugh as he crossed his denim-clad legs and leaned back in the chair like he had all the time in the world.
I shook my head. “Your black beanie looks ridiculous. Take it off, you aren’t in Pearl Jam.”
He frowned. “Who?”
“God, I hate Millennials.”
“I’m a Z—”
“Yeah, don’t really care.” I waved him off. “Speak.”
The chair groaned as he leaned forward. I had to hand it to Ash. With all his anger, he needed more and more sparring partners, and he’d made Tank into… well, an actual Tank. In the last year, he’d put on thirty pounds of muscle. Impressive, even for one of our associates.
It was another reason I let him stick around; he was like a walking talking body shield for my family.
“The check-in went fine…” He sighed. “Nothing strange to report on that front.” He shifted uncomfortably again in the chair like he had more information. “Are you sure it’s best we do things this way?”
“Trust me,” I said quickly. “If I saw another path, I’d take it.”
“But—”
“It’s not up for discussion.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
“And the other situation?”
“Why do I need to do this again? I mean, I semi-get that you’re trying to drive Ash into action, but if the whole moving in thing didn’t work, how the hell do you think this is going to work?”
I grinned. “I know my son.”
“Yeah, I know him too. He’s scary as fuck, and last night he looked ready to filet me while still breathing. I’m lucky to be alive, Chase, and— What the hell, man? Stop smiling like it amuses you!”
I chuckled. “It actually does. He kept eyeing the one allowed steak knife. Phoenix and I bet a thousand bucks that he was going to jump the table.”
“Awesome, gambling with my life, thanks. I’m so glad my boss thinks it’s funny that I almost died during dinner.”
Snorting, I waved him off. “Don’t be so dramatic—it was during dessert where he got really testy.”
Tank shook his head. “You’re all insane.”
“Thank you.” I moved the black folders around on my desk and pulled out Annie’s. “She seems to be thriving.”
“Thanks to your black credit card, I think any college girl would be thriving—did you see the shopping trip bills?”
I didn’t even blink. “I’m a billionaire; ask me if I care.”
“I’m a billionaire,” he mimicked in my voice, then winced. “Please don’t kill me.”
“I entertain the thought on a daily basis.”
“Good talk.” He groaned and wiped his hands down his face. “I already told the other bosses. I’m working on this whole bomb angle, but I’ve come up with nothing; the only lead goes back to her.”
I grabbed a pencil and started to tap. “Her as in…”
“Last time I said her name, you yelled and then broke a baseball bat over your knees, so I’m just going to say her.”
“She’s dead.” I pointed out. “And the bat was old.”
He held up his hands. “Whatever you say. And I know she’s dead, but her contacts clearly aren’t. The FBI believes that they’re using all of this white horse business as a scare tactic, and if they kill someone in the process awesome, it’s all smokescreens, a distraction in order to do something big.”
I thought about it for a minute then spoke. “I agree, but they’re also only targeting the second generation. Why?”
“I have a theory.” Tank lowered his voice. “You wiped out the second generation of the De Lange Family and then somehow sprouted a conscience out of your ass and saved the remaining kids. What if this is their way of doing the same to you guys? They don’t have the same resources but think about it. What would hurt you the most?”
I closed my eyes. “Losing our children.”
“Exactly.”
“Keep digging.” I stood. “And this conversation never leaves the room.”
“I remember,” he grumbled and then shot up to his feet like they were on fire and stalked out of the room, leaving me to again wonder how Phoenix did this.
So many secrets.
So many lies.
So little time until the dominoes fell.
I just hoped to God my son was strong enough to bear it.
Chapter Seven
The night has a thousand eyes. And the day but one; Yet the light of the bright world dies. With the dying sun. The mind has a thousand eyes. And the heart but one: Yet the light of a whole life dies. When love is done. —Francis Bourdillon
Annie
One Week Later, September
“I hate him, I hate him, I hate him, I hate him.” I chanted this all through my morning routine as I put on my Eagle Elite Uniform—short navy skirt, knee-high socks, white blouse, and navy jacket.
I’d had zero sleep thanks to my encounter with Ash, and when I did close my eyes, I had nightmares of being locked in a cupboard—something he wouldn’t have known actually triggered me but telling him that would be like telling a kidnapper your address.
He’d use it against me.
And I’d cry myself to sleep like I used to.
Ugh.
I grabbed my satchel and hurried down the stairs, nearly bumping into Ash as he held out a plate full of eggs, bacon, and toast.
With a wink, he leaned in and whispered, “Gluten-free.”
My eyes narrowed. “You on pills again?”
He scowled. “Can’t I make our houseguest breakfast?”
I sniffed the plate. “Did you poison it?”
“Please.” He rolled his eyes. “If I wanted to poison you, I’d use the—”
“The scary needle dart, already had this convo several times with multiple people I don’t need a recap.”
His eyes flickered to my mouth as he said. “Actually, I was going to go with the whole tasteless powder in your OJ, but the needle works too. All good options, all good options.” He handed me the plate then reached for a glass filled to the brim with OJ. “Thirsty?”
I shook my head. “I like you better angry at least then I know what to expect. When you’re happy, I think you’re either high or ready to kill me.”
“That’s confusing.” He frowned. “So when I’m mean you feel safer, when I’m nice you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop?”
My stomach growled as I eyed the plate in my hands. “M-maybe.”
“Annie.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “Just eat the damn peace offering.”
“I don’t trust any offering from you.” My stomach rumbled again. I was so starving that I was ready to eat the plate along with the food.
One of Ash�
��s eyebrows arched as he reached for the bacon and held it in front of my mouth. “Bite it, or I’ll bite you.”
“That’s—”
He shoved the bacon in my mouth the minute my lips parted. It was crispy and hot against my tongue. How did I not know he cooked? Oh right, because he’d only ever kissed me, almost had sex with me, yelled at me, and then traumatized me.
I literally knew nothing else about him other than he had anger issues and liked to kill God’s creatures.
“So?” He rocked back on his feet, his smile triumphant. “How’s it taste?”
I chewed and then shrugged. “Not sure yet.” I opened my mouth and pointed.
He actually smiled, not a smug I’m going to terrorize you later smile, but one that felt genuine, that had warmth spreading from my head all the way down to my toes as he moved closer, the plate still between us, grabbed another piece and held it in front of my mouth.
I leaned in and bit down, only to have him replace his fingers with his mouth as he tugged the bacon toward him.
One more centimeter, and we’d be kissing.
It was another mind game.
A trick.
But it was also bacon, so I held on for dear life.
Never thought I’d be playing chicken with Ash in the kitchen using bacon as our weapon, but then again, the mafia was a strange, strange world, so why not?
He inched his mouth forward, his eyes locked on mine in amusement like he knew I was starting to sweat.
I gave a hard tug with my teeth and his lips pressed against mine briefly before I jerked my head away, taking most of the bacon with me in triumph.
“Winner, winner, bacon dinner?” He didn’t take his eyes off my mouth.
I kept chewing. “Are you sure you’re not on something?”
He snorted and rolled his eyes, taking the plate with him and setting it on the breakfast bar.
I will not stare at his ass in those trousers.
I will not stare at his biceps in that ridiculous Eagle Elite sweater vest.
I will not imagine eating bacon off his eight pack.
“Why are your eyes closed?” Ash asked a few seconds later.
I quickly opened them. “No reason, just doing… math.”
“You’re not in math.” His lips pressed together in an amused smile. “Try again.”
“I was thinking.”
“Extremely hard,” he pointed out as he grabbed the orange juice and handed it to me.
I took it and then frowned as I looked down into the cup. “You’re sure it’s not poisoned?”
He took the glass with a curse, downed half the juice, and then handed it back to me. “Happy?”
“No.” I took a few sips of juice and set it on the counter by the plate. “Because now your germs are all over my OJ.”
“Germs?” Both eyebrows shot up. “That ship has fucking sailed, little girl… or have you forgotten that night in the pool? My tongue was so far down your throat it was almost between your thighs.”
“Ewwwwww.” Izzy’s voice sounded in the kitchen. “Why do I have the worst timing ever?”
“Oh please.” Ash flipped her off. “It’s not like you and Maksim were playing solitaire all those times he stayed over—he’s lucky he isn’t walking with a limp and only half his dick.”
Her eyes flickered with anger and then sadness as she stared him down and then went over to the fridge, pulling out the milk.
I almost asked her if she was okay.
Or if she wanted to talk.
But last time I even mentioned him, she threatened me, so maybe she just needed time?
God knows I needed at least a year to recover from Ash, and now I felt like I was back at square one. I half expected him to nudge me in the arm and then mess up my hair.
What was with him?
I quickly glanced back at him.
His smile was gone.
Expression blank. “What?”
“I don’t trust you.”
His smirk was drop-dead gorgeous spreading across his face like a cruel promise. “Good. You probably shouldn’t.”
Frowning, I walked past him only to have him grab my arm again and drag me toward the door.
“Bye, Iz!”
“See ya!”
I dug my heels in the ground, but it was no use. “What are you doing? Let me go!”
“You have class, I have class, we’re saving the environment, get in.” He gave me a little shove toward his BMW i8; I nearly got taken out by the suicide door as it stretched vertically dangerously close to my head.
I was too busy gaping at the door to realize that he was already in the car waiting for me to get in with an annoyed look. “You need to eye fuck the car any longer, or can we go?”
I shot him a nasty look and ducked inside the car, careful not to flash him. My skirt was a bit too short for a sports car.
When I thought it was safe enough to plop down on the leather seat, I did just that, causing my skirt to fly up and my butt to kiss the leather. So basically, it felt like I was almost naked against the seat.
Hopefully, Ash didn’t notice.
It wasn’t like he paid attention to me much anyway, and I was just waiting for this cease-fire to end—I mean, it was Ash; he’d fight the wind if he could. Any reason to yell, to draw his sword, the King of Eagle Elite was grumpy and mean. Trusting him would be my own stupid fault.
It would be the final nail in my coffin.
Utter obliteration of what was left of my heart.
He cranked up the music so loud it would be impossible to have a normal conversation—not that I was complaining—and he weaved in and out of traffic so fast my stomach started to roll.
I hated it.
Hated him.
This was a game, wasn’t it?
He was nice.
And then, aloof.
What was he going to be like at University?
Would he give me a ride back home?
All the things that stressed me out as we finally pulled up to the black iron gate that led to Eagle Elite. It slowly creaked open, and Ash finally turned down whatever heavy metal music he’d been listening to and slowed the car to the twenty-five mile an hour speed limit as we crept closer to campus.
“Rules,” he said without looking at me.
I frowned but kept my eyes straight ahead. “I’m listening…”
“I’ll take you to and from class every day. I’m going to need to search your bag morning, noon, and night.”
I clenched my teeth. “What? Now I’m a spy?”
“This is how I protect you and everyone else, Annie, so pay attention.” He turned the car into one of the front spots near the registration building and cut the engine. “Rule number two, or is it three?”
I sighed in agitation. “Three.”
“Just making sure you’re paying attention.” His voice held no humor, only a cold detachment that hadn’t been there this morning when he made me breakfast. Why had he been so nice? And why was he mean now? “No guys that haven’t been vetted, I don’t really care who you let see you naked as long as I have a background check on them, but if I find out that you’ve been with Tank in any way romantically, you’ll be punished.”
“Punished,” I repeated. “Who says you get any say in who I date? You’re not my dad, you’re not even family—”
He held up his hand.
I hated that I immediately responded to it like I’d been trained to submit to the jackass just like all the other associates.
“Fine, if you want something with Tank, then it’s your heart that’s going to be broken. In fact…” He chuckled under his breath. “Wow, right on time.”
“What?” I stole a glance at Ash, but he was looking straight ahead.
Frowning, I followed the direction of his gaze and nearly threw up.
It was Tank, and he was making out with some random girl with long red hair, her hands clung to the lapels of his jacket, and he looked ready to swallow her whole
.
“Wasn’t he just flirting with you last night?” Ash just had to ask.
“We’re friends.” I ignored the swell of emotion and betrayal in my throat as I forced a smile at Ash. “Any more rules, or can I go to class now?”
“Last rule.” His grin was cruel. “At home, I’ll tolerate you—but here? You don’t look at me in the eyes, you don’t approach me, you don’t hang out with me. Here we’re enemies. Got it?”
“Fine.” My voice was shaky.
“Oh, and Annie?” Ash unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned over the console. “I need you to understand one thing…” His fingers trailed my jawline delicately; I was too pissed and terrified to pull away. “Break any of my rules… and I will fucking destroy you.”
How could a man so beautiful be so cruel?
“I hate you,” I whispered.
“Finally, something we can agree on.” He pulled back. “Now get the hell out of my car.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice as I opened the stupid fancy door and attempted to get out without flashing anyone. I stomped through the parking lot past Tank, who probably wouldn’t notice anyway since he was too busy swallowing some random girl’s face, and made my way to the Science building.
And that was how it started.
My first semester back at Eagle Elite, I was already trying to keep the tears in as I ducked my head and tried to do anything not to be noticed.
It worked for about three minutes, and then I heard Tank calling out my name. I gripped my satchel with my fingertips, pulling it higher on my shoulder, and kept on walking.
Because he knew.
He knew he was my rock.
He knew I liked him.
And I’d just seen him kissing another girl—devouring her. And I’d stupidly told myself that coming back to Chicago wouldn’t be so bad as long as I had one friend.
Just. One.
“Hey, wait up.” Tank grabbed my hand and turned me around.
With a sigh, I waited as his fingers left my shoulder, pulling away a bit at the jacket uniform. “What?”
“He being an ass to you?” Tank actually grinned; his lips were wet from her kiss, his stance casual like he’d just been ordering fries at McDonald’s.
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