“It’s not our place to agree or disagree. This is our assignment,” Jenkins says.
“And this really is to keep you safe,” Flores adds. “Now you’re out of harm’s way until Asher settles everything.”
“I want to speak to him.”
“Can’t just yet. He’ll contact us first. Although I did text him to let him know you’re awake. He’s relieved, by the way.”
“Relieved? That prick. You know what? Actually, I don’t want to talk to him. Why don’t you text him and tell him I said he can go fuck himself.”
Jenkins chuckles as Camila sets a bowl of some kind of potato soup in front of me. I eat it and then a second helping, famished, as Flores and Jenkins give me more useless information. It’s all I can do not to stab either of them with my butter knife.
After dinner, I walk through the house, taking everything in. If I was here with Asher on a vacation and he hadn’t drugged me and flown me across the world without my permission, I might be able to appreciate how stunning the property is. The house is large, but not massive, and is beautifully decorated. The grounds are a tropical paradise with a pool and a small lawn out back. Beyond the normal rooms for a house, there’s a gym, a sauna, a small library, a theater room, and a game room. Not to mention the loft upstairs that’s an indoor/outdoor haven. I couldn’t ask to be in a more beautiful environment if I have to be stuck somewhere for an extended period, but I’m beyond pissed that I’m here. And I’m furious that Asher made that decision for me without my consent. If I didn’t love him, I’d want to strangle him.
Even loving him, I still kind of do.
After my tour, my body is heavy and tired again, still working through the drugs in my system. I’m just about to go lie down when Jenkins’ phone rings.
“It’s Asher,” he says, passing me the phone.
I practically rip it out of his hands. “How dare you do this to me,” I hiss as soon as I bring the phone to my ear. It seems the dinner, a house tour, and the three hours it’s been since I woke have done nothing to quell my rage.
“I’m sorry, Ella. It was necessary.”
“Says who?” I huff, walking up the stairs to my bedroom for privacy.
“Says me.”
“You don’t get to make these kinds of decisions for me, Asher! That is not how relationships work!”
“I told you I would do anything to keep you safe. I meant it.”
“Drugging me and shipping me across the goddamn globe like a human package is a little over the line, don’t you think?”
“You weren’t shipped. You flew on a private plane. With two bodyguards. And a flight attendant that doubled as a nurse.”
If I weren’t so mad, I would smirk at his sarcasm. Under normal circumstances I would give him those concessions. Under normal circumstances I don’t overly mind his possessive ways. But this time, he went too far.
“You arrogant asshole. Like any of that justifies your actions.”
“When it comes to keeping you safe, nothing is over the line.”
“Yes, Asher. Some things are over the line. This was over the line!”
“I’d do it again if it means keeping you safe.”
“You would push me out of the way, out of your life, to keep me safe.”
Asher pauses so long I’m not sure if he’s still on the line. “Possibly, yes.”
“What do you mean possibly? You already did. At least for the time being, I was told.”
Asher is silent again.
My heart stammers in my chest. “Unless you mean push mefullyout of your life.”
“I . . .”
“Oh my god.”
