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He blustered. “I-I can’t get that kind of money so quickly!”
“You can and you will,” I said calmly. “I’m sure if you really try, you can do it. Maybe dig into those deep pockets of yours. This is for a good cause, after all.”
Weston stared at me, his eyes wide. I turned on my heels, wrapped an arm around Ash’s waist, and escorted him out of the office. Once we were back at the elevators, Ash frowned up at me.
“What was he talking about?”
“Hmm?” I pressed the button before opening the folder to examine the paperwork again.
“That man. He said you would… stomp his wife’s head in,” Ash said, appalled. “You wouldn’t do that. Right?”
I glanced down at him. “Weren’t you just critiquing me for not being more bloodthirsty?”
“Yeah, but not like that,” he muttered. “I mean, what did his wife do? That seems unfair.”
“What did you do?” I asked right back, neither confirming nor denying what I’d said. “Your father sold you, and you did nothing. Didn’t get the money, didn’t spend it, didn’t dodge the collectors. Life isn’t fair.”
Ash’s frown deepened. “I know that.”
He stepped into the elevator. I stole a peek at him as we descended to the floor below. The look on his face was a mix between contemplation and irritation. My heart did flip-flops. I tried to ignore it.
“Is there a problem?” I asked.
Ash shook his head. “No.”
I stopped him when he tried to step out of the elevator into the lobby. He bumped into my arm and stared up at me.
“Is there a problem?” I asked again.
“Hey, I’m trying to use the elevator,” a man complained.
I turned on him so quickly he shot back. He held up both his hands as if to ward me off. I immediately forgot about him and turned back to Ash.
“I said no,” he answered. “I just thought… you wouldn’t be like the rest of them.”
“The rest of who?”
“Every man I’ve ever met in my life.”
My chest caved.What the hell is that supposed to mean?Ash wouldn’t look at me, his eyes downcast as he toyed with the sleeve of his shirt. I leaned in, closing the space between us.
“I’ve got news for you, kid. I’m no different than any monster you’ve ever met.” I pressed my lips against his ear. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because you fuck me, I need your permission to exist. If you don’t like who I am, find a different way to pay your debt and leave. I could always drop you off at the brothel and let you work it off there.”
When I pulled back, Ash’s eyes were wide. I watched a flicker of emotion pass over his face before he turned on his heels and rushed out of the elevator. He practically ran to the car as I stared after him, my fist clenched at my side.
Fuck! Shouldn’t have said that, huh?
“About time.”
I grabbed the stranger as he tried to walk past me and slammed his face into the elevator wall. He cried out, holding his nose as blood dripped from it. I pinned him, my hand around his throat.
“Some people really need to learn some fucking manners, you know?” I fixed his collar as I pulled my hand away. “Next time you decide to rush someone, remember some of us are—” I twirled a finger near my ear. “Fucking cuckoo. Okay? Okay, good chat!”
I slammed my hand against his chest. The man dropped, choking as he tried to cower away from me. I stepped past him, let the elevator doors slide closed, and went after Ash. Of course, by the time I stepped outside, he was right by the car, his arms wrapped around himself. I stared at him.
What do I say?
“Ash.”
