Ashton Scott

The look on her face leaves me with no doubt as to the answer to that question. Before she can reply, I say, “I thought so.” Taking a step closer so I’m in her space, I lower my voice and say, “Back off bitch, because you do not want to be on the receiving end of me fighting for my man. And make no mistake, I may be a kind and giving person, but when you come after something that is mine, I will go to battle for it. And Ashton is mine.”

I don’t wait for whatever she has to say to that. I’m more than happy with the way her mouth is hanging open and the way her shoulders have slumped. That’s what I came here for today. She may have had the smug look of satisfaction on her face when I arrived, but I’m the one leaving with it.

60

Ashton

I enter my hotel room just after seven on Monday night. It’s been a long day at the hospital with Jack, and after not sleeping so well recently, I’m exhausted. And pissed off at my inability to get hold of people I want to speak with. These time zone differences frustrate the hell out of me sometimes. My mood isn’t helped by the distance Jack seems to be keeping from me. His doctor advised me late today that he’s almost certain he’ll be sending Jack home tomorrow, and I’m hoping once he’s back in his own surroundings, he’ll open up to me.

Stripping out of my clothes, I take a hot shower, letting the heat work its way into my aching muscles. I haven’t managed to hit the gym yet, and I don’t have time to get a session in now because I’ve got dinner scheduled with Josephine. After dinner, though, I’ll spend at least an hour there, trying to work both these kinks and my irritation out.

As I’m wrapping my towel around my waist after the shower, my father returns my call from earlier today.

“Ashton, I take it this call is to discuss the sale of the Willow Street properties.”

“It isn’t. It’s to discuss my relationship with Lorelei.”

That catches him off guard, and he turns silent for a few moments. “I thought that was over. That you’d come to your senses and were back with Cassia.”

“You thought wrong. I have no intention of ever getting back with Cassia, and every intention of marrying Lorelei.”

“You’re a fool. Cassia has a lot more to offer you than that woman.”

“She has nothing to offer me, but then, I’m not getting married for social connections. I’m not you.”

“You watch your mouth, son. I married your mother because I love her.”

“That’s bullshit and we both know it. And if you love her, you wouldn’t fuck every social-climbing bimbo out there.”

My father almost never loses his cool, and today is no different. He doesn’t react in any way other than to say, “I presume you don’t plan on selling me those Willow Street properties. I haven’t heard anything from your assistant.”

He’s changing the subject like he always does when I challenge him over something he doesn’t want to discuss. And just like every other time this has happened, I don’t waste my breath on pursuing it, because it won’t get us anywhere.

“You presume correctly.”

“Steele will back out of your development. Do you have anyone ready to replace him?”

“That’s none of your concern.” I don’t have anyone, and if Steele does back out, I’ll lose millions, but there’s no fucking way I’ll ever let my father know that.

“I have a proposition for you. If you agree to marry Cassia, I’ll walk away from Willow Street.”

With that, everything starts to fall into place as to why Cassia has become so close to my parents. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s been in on this plan with my father all along.

I grip my phone harder. “Cassia has fooled you. Whatever you think she brings to the table, I can assure you she doesn’t. And if you think I would entertain for even a second the idea of marrying a woman simply to negotiate a business deal, you don’t know me at all. I would walk away from every last cent I have before I would ever marry for that reason. And one other thing—if you ever treat Lorelei the way you treated her the other night, I will make it so you wish you hadn’t.”

Stabbing at the phone, I disconnect the call, angrier than before our conversation. That my father and my ex have been conspiring to end my relationship with Lorelei, causes the kind of fury I don’t usually experience. I can deal with the business bullshit he’s pulling, but the minute they started messing with my relationship is the minute they will both come to regret.

Unwrapping the towel from my waist, I finish drying off and throw it on the bed. I then find some clothes to wear to dinner and get dressed. Josephine will be waiting for me, but I have a phone call I need to make first.

Cassia answers almost straight away. “Hey! I’m sorry I haven’t returned your calls today. I’ve been busy with—”

“I don’t give a fuck what you’ve been busy with, Cassia. I didn’t call to discuss that.”

“Oh,” she says, and I can hear the shock in her voice. She’s not used to me talking to her like this, but she’s going to have to get used to it if she wants to keep pulling the stunts she’s been pulling. “Okay,” she continues, tentatively, “What’s up?”

“You know what’s up, so stop playing games with me. I’m calling to discuss our relationship and how it will proceed from here on out.”

“Ashton, I—”