Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

You're just mad. You never respond well when I do something you don't like. Don't be this way.

Come on Ava, what are your friends going to say?

Delete text message, delete text message, delete text message. I thought about calling my phone company and asking them to block his number, but that seemed like effort and I just didn't have the energy right now.

I sat on the floor and stared at the blank spot on my wall where a picture of Chad and I used to hang. The only sign that something had ever been there was the small hole where the tack had been to hold the frame. Other than that, it was as if the two of us had never existed.

The frame now lay empty on my desk, the picture torn to tiny shreds in the bottom of my waste basket. It had felt good to destroy something, but ruining the picture had only taken moments and then the desolation set back in. I had destroyed as many pictures as I could get my hands on.

He cheated.

I couldn't understand how it had happened. Two days ago, we were planning a trip down to the city to look for rings. Now, I was picking up everything he had ever given me, which was actually surprisingly little, and putting it out on the curb. I couldn't believe that he had betrayed me. With Charity.

“Ava? You in there?” Dad asked, knocking gently on my bedroom door. I sighed and wiped fresh tears off my cheeks.

“Yeah, come on in.”

The door slowly opened and my dad peeked his head inside. He was a big man, but the way he chewed his lip made him look like a small boy. I knew he had heard me crying and had come to investigate. The downside to still living with my father instead of having my own place.

“What's wrong, sweetie?” he asked, sitting down at my desk. He ran a big hand through his graying hair and studied me. “Who do I need to go kill for my baby girl?”

I almost smiled. “Chad.”

“Done. He's a dead man,” Dad announced. When I didn't respond, he leaned forward, his glasses catching the last of the day's light. “What happened? You two have a fight?”

“I caught him cheating.” The words were fire in my mouth. Each one burned just a little bit more.

Dad stayed silent for a moment before leaving the chair to join me on the floor. “I'm sorry, Ava. I really am.” I could tell he was fighting the impulse to go bury Chad.

“It was with Charity.”

“The waitress?” He frowned, tightening his fists and looking dangerous. Then he just looked tired. “That explains why he always insisted we eat there. I hate that restaurant. They never put enough salt on the fries.”

“I can't believe I was so stupid...”

“No, no, Ava,” Dad scolded me gently. He put his arm around me. I felt a little bit better. At least I had one man in my life I could depend on. “He's the stupid one. I can't say that I ever particularly liked him, but I knew how you felt about him. I'll fire him first thing in the morning.”

“You can't, Dad,” I informed him. I wished to heaven he could. I wanted that son-of-a-bitch as far away from me as possible. I groaned. I was going to have to see him at work. “He hasn't done anything wrong as far as his job goes.”

“I'll ask your aunt. Heaven knows she can find fault in anything,” Dad offered. He gave me a squeeze.

“She won't do it,” I told him, wishing he could just squeeze the ache out of me. “He's her best auctioneer. Especially with the job coming up, she won't do it.”

Dad sighed. He knew I was right. Up until now, Chad and I had been the perfect couple to take over the business when Dad and Aunt Jenny retired. Not any more. Everything I had planned on was now gone. I had no idea what was going to happen next.

“So, I'm not allowed to commit murder, and you won't let me fire him...” Dad mused, trying to make me smile. “Can I at least demote him to a crappy desk?”

I gave my best approximation of a laugh. “The smallest one. Away from the window.”

“Done,” Dad promised. I sniffled and he wrapped his other arm around me. “I wish I could make you feel better. I hate seeing you upset.”

“I'm still tempted on letting you murder him,” I replied. He chuckled and I rested my head against his big chest. “It's not fair, Dad. I had such good news and now it's all ruined.”

“You can tell me the good news,” he offered.

I fiddled with a strand of hair, playing with the dark red tress like a toy. Dad had once claimed the same shade, but now his was a distinguished silver. I sighed. Maybe telling Dad the good news would make me feel better, or at least distract me from the soul crushing betrayal that had me pinned to the floor.

“I got a phone call at the office today,” I started. Dad nodded. He and his sister were the proud owners of Fairchild Auctions and Appraisals. Dad and I did all the appraisals while my aunt handled the auction side. “It was from Sebastian Belrose's assistant.”