Mafia Rules (Mafia King #1)

6. ASH

6

ASH

W e entered the private dining room fifteen minutes late because of the traffic. They barely notice with Eve by my side. The red dress hugged her curves in all the right places. My cock takes particular notice of her waist and perfect ass. I can't even explain the effect she has on me.

"This is Eve, my new secretary." My hand instinctively goes to the small of her back in protection mode. She wasn’t used to people like my brothers—like me. Suddenly, I start to regret not keeping her a secret for longer, until I knew she could handle us. My brothers stand as we approach the table. "Ford, Lane, and Hardy." My brothers all had the McKenzie dark-brown hair and a particular charm with the ladies. They were easy to manipulate with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Eve," Hardy speaks first and sits on her right side. He reached for her hand as she sat down. "May I pour you some wine?"

She glances at me with those sweet green eyes, like a puppy looking for my approval, whispering, "I don't drink. Not that I have anything against it. I just never liked the taste."

"That sounds like a challenge," I whisper in her ear, noticing the red crystal earrings I bought on her lobes matching the flush of her cheeks.

Hardy glances at one server standing behind our table. He quickly brings over a Renato Ratti Barolo Serradenari, pours a glass for Eve, and then stands back, waiting for her approval.

"He's waiting for you to drink," I whisper, not wanting to embarrass her in front of my brothers. I assume she has no clue. It was clear she didn't grow up wealthy, but she had class. She captivates everyone's attention simply by being present—and she seems oblivious that she has this power.

"Oh." Her cheeks flush as she brings the glass to her lips, taking a sip. She coughs, trying to clear her throat before she reaches for her water. It is a dry wine, and she was clearly not expecting that. “It’s delicious.”

“Thank you.” I wave the server away, hiding my amusement at her lack of drinking skills. I’d find something she likes later.

“The update,” Ford is the first to ask. I glance around at Lane and Hardy, and their disinterested expressions make it clear that they are less than thrilled about this project and being here.

I grab my briefcase, take out the presentation packs, and hand them to Eve to hand out to the group. “I’m on track, but need a little more time—”

“You’ve had enough time, Ashton,” Ford interrupts, taking a pack from Eve and dropping it on the table.

“Chill out, Ford,” says Hardy, the oldest of my brothers and the one most likely to get our father's power—unless he gives it to Ford. “Let him talk.”

“The casino needs to clean up their business before we take it over. We can’t set a deadline for that. Page eight.” I flip my book open to that page.

“How much business do they need to clean up?” Lane asks. Despite being the second oldest brother, he was a new addition to the family. Our father has only known about him for the past five years, or so he says.

“It’s not our place to ask, but we need a squeaky-clean casino.” I glance at Eve, who is engrossed in the presentation packet, unable to hide her curiosity. Maybe it was a bad idea to bring her.

“Should this be a closed meeting?” Ford asks, looking directly at Eve.

“She’s my right hand on this.” I sit in my seat, my senses heightened and ready for whatever he says next about Eve. The thought of anyone being rude or mean to her makes my chest tighten, and my breath comes in short, shallow gasps.

“She’s fine,” Hardy says, his eyes roaming boldly over her body.

“I need to give something concrete to Dad.” Ford's neck turns a bright shade of red, a telltale sign of his flustered state.

“You know you’re the only fucking one that calls him Dad.” Hardy rolls his eyes and hauls out a cigar to light. He offers one to Eve.

“No, thank you, Hardy, I mean, sir.” Her gaze drops to the table, her chest rising and falling with each awkward breath.

“Long time since anyone called me sir.” With a relaxed posture, Hardy leisurely lights his cigar, wisps of smoke trailing into the air.

“Bet it wasn’t at a table either,” Lane teases Hardy, clearly at Eve’s expense.

“Back to the proposal…” I say, but out of the corner of my eye, I see Eve tugging on the sleeve of her dress, covering a bruise. What the…? The mere thought of someone touching Eve sets me off with anger and interrupts my thoughts. I fixate on her, torn between preserving her innocence and being haunted by the possibility of someone mistreating her.

“Ash?” Ford's voice interrupts my thoughts.

I reach over to Eve, placing my hand over her sleeve, where the bruise is. She shudders and pulls away from me as if I’ve hurt her. Our eyes meet, and her cheeks redden even more. She knows I know her secret. “Excuse us,” I say, standing up and taking Eve’s hand. “I need to confirm something with Eve first.”

I take her hand and escort her out of the room, ignoring my brother's objections. I turn down a hallway and stop where we can dip behind a door, out of view and earshot of anyone.

“Ash, I know nothing about the project,” she utters.

“Who did it?” I press her back against the wall. My hand lifts her chin so our eyes connect. She looks away, stumbling over her words, unable to form a coherent sentence. “I need a name, Eve.” My hand holds her chin, and my thumb caresses the softness of her plump lower lip.

“It’s over,” she says, a large breath leaving her body. Her eyes shimmer as tears threaten to fall. “I left him.”

“Is that when he did this?” I let go of her chin and with a gentle pull, her sleeve slides up, exposing her arm that is marred with deep, angry bruises.

“Yes.” She hangs her head, unwilling to meet my eyes.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Eve.” I take her into my arms and hold her fragile body flush to mine. My heart pounds fiercely in my chest. It takes all my strength not to leave right now and find this guy. “He’ll never touch you again. I promise.”

Eve’s body slumps into mine and shakes as she sobs. Seeing her like this makes my stomach churn with anger. I gently move her tousled hair to the side, revealing her delicate, ivory neck, and instinctively lean in, pressing my lips on her. She smells of sweet flowers with a hint of vanilla.

“Ash.” She pulls away as soon as my lips touch. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I don’t want you to pity me.” She places the palms of her hands firmly on my chest, and I lean into them as she tries to push me away from her.

“I don’t pity you, Eve. But I’ll fuckin’ murder anyone that touches you.” I didn’t want to scare her, but being calm in these situations was never my thing. Brute force is my go-to.

“This is my issue to handle, Ash.” She stops trying to push me off when she realizes I’m not going anywhere. Her hands rest on my stomach, keeping me inches from her.

“You don’t have to handle anything.” I move her hands up my body, savoring her touch until they reach my lips. She lets out an almost-silent sigh, slightly shaking her head.

“Ash…” she mouths, just as I gently kiss each tip of her fingers.

“You’ll never hurt again.” I can't help but get lost in the silky texture of her long, purple hair. With a gentle pull, her face comes into view, radiating beauty. I close the gap between our lips—

“We should get back.” She takes advantage of my weak moment and pushes me back far enough to escape the prison I held her in, then turns the doorknob. “They’ll be wondering where we are.”

I put my hand on the door, stopping it from opening fully. “I don’t care about them, Eve. I need a name. We don’t leave until I get it.”

“No.” The contradiction between the meekness in her eyes and the forceful tone of her voice intrigues me. I didn’t dare laugh, in case she thought I didn’t take her seriously. It didn’t help that it made my cock come to life, wondering if she was forceful in bed—the only place I’d let her push me around.

As soon as my hand is off the door, she swiftly opens it and storms out, her fiery purple hair trailing behind her. I stay behind momentarily, concealing the smile that creeps across my face and the undeniable arousal I feel.