Mafia Rules (Mafia King #1)

27. EVE

27

EVE

T he morning slipped away as we lounged in bed, savoring each other's embrace without a care in the world. Ash washed me in the shower, not letting me touch him, all his attention on my body. I take a deep breath, wishing we could always be like that.

“Sweetheart,” Ash calls out to me.

“Yes.” As I walk through his condo, I can feel the soft carpet under my bare feet, wearing only his oversized T-shirt.

“Looks like my brother is coming over, unfortunately.” Ash stands in front of the large window in his living room, wearing only his gray sweatpants.

My mouth waters at the thought of reaching my hand inside of them, making him hard. He has the body of a fucking god. As I approach him, my hands glide over his strong shoulders, tracing the intricate designs of the tattoos on his muscular arms. “I love your tattoos.”

“Would you ever get any?” His face is inquisitive like he’s never considered me having tattoos.

“Maybe, I don’t know.” I hug him, my hands slipping under his sweatpants in the back.

“I’d be your bad habit if you did.” He dramatically kisses my neck, making loud noises as he does.

“Ash!” I chuckle at his antics, realizing that only I am privy to this playful side of him.

He slaps my ass. “Go get dressed, love. My brother can’t see you like this.”

“Do they know? About us?” I look up at him, my hands still roaming his body, waiting for his answer.

“Hardy does.” Ash’s demeanor becomes serious, almost like he didn’t want anyone to know I was his.

“What does he think about it?”

“He’s a lover.” Ash’s smile suggests there’s more to that story. “Now go get dressed, love; I’ll fuck him up if he sees you like this. For real.” He gently pushes me in the direction of the bedroom.

I dash to the bedroom when I hear the elevator ding. I turn the corner just in time before it opens.

Back in his bedroom, I’m reminded of his comment about his condo having enough room for my stuff and wonder if he’s serious about it. I picture my things next to his, what he would be like to live with, and how much he’d let me fuck him.

I dig through my bag for some clothes of my own to wear. I haul out some jeans and a sweater, pulling my hair back in a ponytail. I add some powder to my face, mascara, and lip gloss.

I step into his walk-in closet. He has more clothes than Macy and I combined. I run my hand along his suits, wondering if Sasha’s clothes once hung here. I shake my head; I can’t let her control our relationship. From now on, she would not occupy any space in my mind.

I put my dirty clothes in my bag, slide it under the bed, and head out to see the boys in the living room.

“That’s all good in theory,” Hardy says, holding his staple drink as I enter.

“Hi.” I wave awkwardly, unsure how to act around Hardy and what he really thought about me and Ash being together.

“Well, Ms. Eve. It’s a pleasure to see you here. I don’t know how you put up with him, but he's a nicer guy these days.”

“Or so you think, because you’re drinking too much because our father is around.” Ash laughs, drinking his smoothie.

“Could be some of that too.” A chuckle escapes Hardy's lips as he teases himself.

My words fail me as I stand there, a soft smile on my face. Despite his kind appearance, there was a hint of darkness in Hardy that I couldn't ignore.

“How did you two come to meet?” Hardy focuses his attention on me.

My eyes shift to Ash, silently pleading for him to take the lead with the story. My lying skills are lacking.

“Eve. You tell this story best.” Ash's sly grin is accompanied by a playful wink directed at me.

“Umm, well, a job interview.” Unsure of Hardy's intentions, I observe the exchange between the brothers, questioning if he was toying with me and privy to the dirty details. I mean, they were brothers.

“Yes, she arrived a little early.” Ash baits me with more details and pauses while my face turns slightly red. “She had a great interview.”

“Have you worked in an office before?” Hardy asks.

“No. but I’ve done some admin-type stuff,” I add.

“Well, that’s all you need for a great interview.” Hardy savored the last sip of his drink before placing the empty glass back on the table.

“Your thoughts on Sasha?” Hardy asks, looking at Ash and laughing.

“Don’t answer that,” Ash says in a harsher tone, his arm reaching across me as if protecting me from Hardy.

“I fuckin’ hate her too,” Hardy says to Ash. “You know why Dad brought her on. Just to fuck you.”

“I might need you to step in.” Ash says.

Hardy sits back in his chair, inhaling deeply, his lack of response hanging in the air. His gaze casually wanders over to me, and our eyes meet, and then back to Ash. “I will.”

Ash nods in agreement, a small smile playing on his lips, seemingly surprised by Hardy's unexpected agreement. "I appreciate it."

“I’m not doing it for you. I’ll do it for her. She’s the best thing that’s happened to you.” Hardy nods to me.

Ash nods his head, looking my way. “She’s is.” His hand squeezes my knee.

As I smiled back at them, I couldn't help but notice the contrast between their intimidating reputation as Mafia members and their friendly demeanor. It almost made me think it was all rumors.

“Can you give us a moment, Eve? We need to discuss some things that I don’t want you involved in.”

I nod, thankful for being able to retreat. I felt safe with Ash, but he acts differently when other people are around. He’s not entirely my Ash.

Ash

I watch Eve leave the room and wait until she’s out of earshot. “She doesn’t understand.”

“How could she, Ash.” Hardy laughs. “Our family is fucked up.”

I nod my head, but it was more than that. Eve was sweet and pure. She’d never understand how we live our lives. “I need you to be the middleman because she doesn’t want me near Sasha. And I don’t want Sasha near her.”

“Sasha is already zoned in on her.” Hardy shakes his head, knowing what that means.

“She knows about me and Eve?”

“Everyone that was at that fucking table knows. The way Eve looks at you. I’m fucking envious, but you know Sasha’s fucked up. Keep them apart,” Hardy advises.

I stand up and walk over to the right to ensure Eve is not listening. “Dad is pushing this getaway with Sasha. He’s texted me several times to confirm dates with him.”

“Lane is pissed.” That seems to bring Hardy joy, as he chuckles, “He’s scared you and Sasha will get married, and he won’t be the favorite anymore.”

“Fucking Lane.” I shake my head. “If he didn’t look so much like Dad, I’d make him take a DNA test.”

“But seriously, Eve’s a sweetheart. She’s no match for Sasha,” Hardy says.

“I’m trying, but she wants to be at every meeting now.”

My phone vibrates, interrupting our conversation. I didn’t need to look to see who it was. I ignore it, and Hardy’s phone vibrates next.

“Sasha. Does she have a camera in here?” Hardy's laughter fills the room as he glances around.

“I’m not looking at mine. She can wait,” I say.

Hardy pulls out his phone. “Well, you may want to have a look. She’s on her way over.”

“Here?” My heart races as I clumsily check her message to me. Sure enough, it was a warning she’s on her way to discuss business. “Fuck.”

“Put some fucking clothes on and slip Eve out the back, brother.” Hardy stands up and pats me on the back, grabbing his coat.

“Where are you going?”

“The fuck out of here.” Hardy walks toward the door, stumbling as he moves forward.

“You’re drunk? It’s not even noon.” I help him up. I was aware of Hardy's drinking habits, but it seems more excessive of late.

“It’s one of those days.” Hardy pushes the elevator button.

“You said you would be my middleman,” I remind him, canceling the elevator.

“Just don’t let her up here.” Hardy pushes the button again.

“I never changed the code.” A heavy sigh escapes me, and I feel a wave of stupidity wash over me like a cold shower.

“From when she lived here before?” Hardy narrows his eyes, trying to comprehend how I could be so dumb.

“I know. She left, and I couldn’t be bothered.”

“Everything okay?” With a concerned look, Eve stands off to the side.

“I just drank too much.” Hardy presses his back firmly against the wall for support, his words slurring.

The elevator door dings, and Eve looks at me. “Who’s that?” she asks. The door opens, and Sasha steps out.

“Is this our going away party, babe?” Before I could react, Sasha wraps her arm around me and presses a kiss to my cheek.

“Ash, what’s going on?” A wave of red spreads across Eve's face, and her brows furrow.

I push Sasha off of me, but I’m not quick enough.

“Oh, he didn’t tell you? We are leaving for a little getaway.” Sasha smiles evilly at Eve.