I was enjoying breakfast on the deck when Ashley arrived. I’d gotten one of my servants to pick out a dress for her, as well as escort her to me.
Ignoring the woman, I focused on the true beauty in front of me. She was stunning.
Her long brown hair fell around her, curving her body. The dress I’d picked out molded to her curves to perfection. I liked the look and wanted to keep her to myself, so fucking badly.
She sat down, sliding out the chair and lowering herself into the seat opposite me. She’d lost the frown.
One of the women poured her a glass of water, and she thanked her.
I didn’t thank anyone who worked for me. They were here to do a job. Ashley wasn’t like me. She wasn’t like anyone at Crude Hill either. She was an angel among demons.
Her eggs were of course overcooked. She took one scoopful, and I watched closely to see if she was testing me, but she moaned in delight. “Thank you.”
“You really do like overcooked eggs.”
“Sorry. I know I should be runny all the way, but these are so much better. I think it stems from my childhood. Mom never liked to cook, but she always made me eggs.” She shrugged.
“Do you miss your mother?”
“Can we talk about something else?”
“Is your mother a sore subject?”
“More like a complicated one.”
I was curious about this woman. It was why she was with me on my yacht, eating my food. I could have any woman I wanted. A snap of my fingers, a brief description, and she’d be right here for me to take.
Ashley was pure. Not just her virginity, but in the way she acted. Even seven years after everything that had gone down, she was so open. So loyal. I couldn’t help but enjoy her.
“I can listen.”
“You want to listen to me complain about my mom?”
“Why not?”
She looked down at her food. “It’s not important. My mom was … compared to many, a saint. I loved her. I still do love her.”
“But.”
“I love the thought of her being the best she can be, but she never gave me that, ever. She was always interested in what she wanted. Not what I wanted, or anyone else.” She lifted a shoulder, then heavily dropped it. “I never wanted to go to Crude Hill. I came home from school one day to her packing everything up. Within forty-eight hours, we were in a nice house and I was enrolled into one of the meanest schools that ever existed.” She swallowed. “I was so scared. I knew bad people existed. I just didn’t realize they created a separate school and place for them all to live.” She let out a breath.
“That doesn’t tell me if you miss your mom.”
“Yes and no. I miss the chance for her to be great. I don’t miss the actual person she was.”
She was sad.
“You’re upset.”
“I don’t like spilling my past. I don’t even like thinking about it. She died due to the choices she made. She was always so selfish. There are times I get angry because I never told her just how selfish I felt she was being, but does it really matter? It’s not like she cared. She was always after a good thing. A sure thing.” She put down her knife and fork. “I’m not hungry.”
“I didn’t mean for you to lose your appetite.”
“The past is a sore subject for me. I imagine the same can be said for you. Were you born into this life?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Oh.”
“My father was a trafficker. You could say I was one of his many sons that showed great promise. He died due to a raid that went badly. I thought my father was the worst person in the world. Then I met my grandfather, and well, the rest is history.”
“You have a grandfather?”
“Had.” I put a bullet in his brain so long ago now. The moment I made a name for myself, I took over all of his businesses, made them bigger, better, and then I took everything from him, including his life. He’d broken me down, piece by piece, but I was the one who built myself back up. Not him.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Do not waste your sympathies on him. You would’ve been sold to the highest bidder. A virgin was a rare treasure indeed, but he didn’t see you as such. You would’ve been nothing more than a business deal.”
“You don’t trade in virgins?”
I avoided virgins at all costs. The irony wasn’t lost on me.
“Have you thought any more about our conversation last night?” I asked. As much as I enjoyed watching her through a camera, I’d rather have her at my side. I was a controlling man in all areas.
“I have thought about it.”
“But?”
“I, er, I … I’m not very good at this.” She took a sip of her water.