“What is going on, Asher?” Natalie asks me.
You can’t throttle one of Ella’s best friends,I remind myself as I shoot Lucy a glare. I repeat it to myself two more times, just to be sure I remember it.
Resigned, I make a motion to follow me out of the bedroom.
“Ms. Graham?” I call out, and a second later she appears in the living room. “Would you mind setting out some food and drinks for our company? It looks like we’re going to be here for a bit.”
“Of course, sir.”
Five minutes later, we’re all sitting on the couch with refreshments set out on the coffee table, and I explain to Natale the beginning of Ella’s and my relationship.
Forty minutes after that, we’re still here because I’ve re-explained, and explained for a third time—because Lucy kept interrupting me with questions and comments—everything I can about the situation.
“And the contract is now void?” Lucy asks for the fourth time.
“Yes,” I snap. “But Ella and I are not over.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m in love with her!” I shout, my patience finally snapping. “I don’t know how to make that any more fucking clear to you Lucya Morozov! Ella and I may have started as some twisted arrangement, but within that arrangement, we fell in love.”
“And if that love fades? How will you ensure her protection? Did that idiot brother of yours bring you my terms?”
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. “He did. And I not only met them, I exceeded them.”
“I want proof.”
“Fucking hell, woman.”
The women all stare silently as I grab Ella’s phone out of the kitchen and log into her banking app.
I hold up the phone for all of them. “You can see this is Ella’s account, and only Ella’s account. I have no access to it.”
“But you just logged into it,” Lucy argues.
I bite my tongue, and my nostrils flare.You can’t throttle one of Ella’s best friends.
“I’ll make sure Ella changes her password when she’s feeling better,” I growl. I stand over Lucy and thrust the phone in her face. “Satisfied?”
“A hundred million dollars?” she whispers.
I smirk. All those millions are worth it to get this demon of a woman to quiet down.
“What?” Natalie gasps.
Natalie and Zahra stare at me with open mouths when I hold the phone closer for them to see.
“I transferred the money into her account the morning we ended the contract. The money should never be necessary since I plan to marry her and she’ll never want for anythingever again, but I also know that my lawyers will push for the fiercest prenup they can. But regardless of any of that, I want Ella to have her own safety net in case anything happens to me or between us to end our relationship. I know you think I’m some incompetent, sadistic monster, Morozov, but I’m not. I love Ella, and I will do anything to make her happy and keep her safe.”
“Well then . . . we’ll just come back when she’s awake,” Zahra says, grabbing Lucy by the elbow and hauling her to her feet. “It looks like Ella’s in good hands.”
Lucy looks like she’s going to argue, but Zahra shoots her a look that shuts her up.
Thank the lord.
I promise Natalie that I’ll call her as soon as Ella is able to stay awake for visitors and do my best to herd them to the door without looking like I’m rejoicing in their departure. I should probably offer Natalie a room, but I’m a selfish asshole, so I set her up in a five-star hotel instead. I don’t want to share Ella once she’s awake. Visits will have to be good enough for everyone.
I let out a long breath once the three of them are gone. I’m not used to having to explain myself to people, and I find it fucking tedious. And I find Lucybeyondfucking tedious. I’m already thinking of ways to make sure I’m not around when she visits. If I never saw that woman again it would be too soon. I’m glad Ella has family and friends who fiercely protect her, but Lucy just feels like cruel and unusual punishment.
