Chapter 21
“My brother is enamored with her. So are you. She’s pretty, I get it.”
“Enamored? Your brother looks like he’s planning his wedding proposal. I, on the other hand, wouldn’t mind taking her for a ride on my dick. We both know your old ass can’t satisfy a young thing like her.”
Though he’s joking, I don’t miss the edge in his voice. He really does want to fuck Ash. I’d cut his dick off if he tried. As long as I pay Ash’s bills, no one is fucking her. No one.
“Oh look,” Nate says. “She’s dancing with another chick. Maybe she’s into women.”
I narrow my eyes, annoyed at the fact Perry is dancing with two girls who aren’t Ash. She’s smiling and not falling on her ass, so I leave it be for the time being.
“You trying to taunt me won’t work,” I say, meeting his stare. “May as well cut the shit now.”
He concedes and launches into another project he’s working on. I’m only half listening. My mind is on other things. Like the panties in my pocket.
“Holy shit,” Nate barks out. “She’s dancing with a Morelli.” “Nice try.”
“Man, look.” He points toward the dance floor.
Leo fucking Morelli and his entourage are crowded around my girl, keeping Perry away from her while Leo grinds on her ass from behind.
Hell to the motherfucking no.
I fly out of the booth, unable to control the rage blazing through me like an inferno. Nate calls after me, but I’m a man on a mission. I shove between two of Morelli’s guys, stalking right up to Ash.
“Time to go, Miss Elliott,” I bark out. “Now.”
Her smile falls, and her eyes grow wide. She must sense the tension rolling between Leo and me, because she starts to pull away. His fingers bite into her waist as he challenges me with a dark glare.
“Interesting seeing a Constantine slumming it around here,” Leo says, his face twisted into a sneer. “Just wait until I tell my brother. Lucian quite enjoys learning of chinks in the Constantine golden armor.”
“Let go of my assistant,” I grit out in my calmest tone. “She has work to do.”
“Is that what you’re calling your girlfriend?” He shakes his head, nuzzling her hair with his nose. “I’m not an idiot, Constantine. I’ve watched you with her all night. She’s important to you, which means she’s important to the Morellis.”
Grabbing Ash’s hand, I drag her from his grip and into my arms. The move sends her stumbling. I don’t take satisfaction in her embarrassment. I’m more worried about her life at this point. We’ve royally fucked up. This was a mistake.
“Miss Elliott is an asset to my company,” I snarl. “And you know we don’t take kindly to our assets being threatened. It’s best you find something else to fixate on, Morelli.”
His grin is vicious. “Too late. I’m all kinds of fixated on your new whore.” “Let’s go,” Ash murmurs, clinging to my chest. “Please.”
Leo Morelli won’t hesitate to spread terrible rumors about Ash that would make her life a living hell. That’s the shallow end of the spectrum. He’s capable of far, far worse than errant words. And the deeper it cuts Ash, the more he’ll enjoy it. He knows the Constantine family is off limits. If he did that to one of my sisters, we’d retaliate so hard he’d see stars. But how can I protect Ash when we’re only temporary? I want to fuck her, not ruin her life. If that means I need to set aside some of my pride, so be it.
Sliding a possessive hand to palm her ass, I meet Leo’s stare with a hard one of my own. “Perhaps we can agree on a sum to make you un-fixate.”
His dark eyes narrow. “That will take some thought and consideration. I’ll need to evaluate the worth of such a deal. Until then, you have my word my lips are sealed until we come to agreement.” He steps closer, cocking his head to the side. “Should I contact your lovely assistant to arrange the meeting later?”
“You may call my secretary Deborah and set it up,” I growl. “Don’t fuck with me, Morelli. It won’t end well.”
“Don’t worry,” Leo says with a wolfish grin. “I don’t want to steal your girl. I like ‘em older. How’s your mother anyway?”
Perry decides to show up. Fucking momma’s boy.
“What’s it to you, asshole?” Perry demands, bowing up like he could actually kick Leo Morelli’s ass. Unbelievable.
Luckily, Leo is amused. If it were Lucian, I’d be picking pieces of Perry’s skull out of my hair.
“My father says hi is all,” Leo states with a laugh. “Caroline must be so lonely these days since your father is gone.” He scratches his chin as if he’s trying to remember something. “How did he die again?”
Nate, who approached at some point, grabs Perry before he tries to tackle Leo. Morelli and his gang of thugs turn, ending our conversation and dispersing like the fucking shadows they are.
“Time to go home.” I give Ash’s ass a pat. “I’m tired.”
She tilts her head up to meet my stare. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
As frustrating as it is that I’m going to have to pay Leo an ungodly amount of money to keep him off Ash because she doesn’t know the politics of this town, I don’t take it out on her. Her naivety of our family name, and consequently the Morellis, is one of the things that has me so enamored with her.
“I know,” I grumble. “Don’t worry about Leo Morelli.” I smirk at her. “You have bigger worries like how to exit this club without falling and showing everyone your naked pussy.”
Her worry transforms into irritation. “I hate you, Win.” “Trust me, that’s better than love, Cinderelliott.” Loving a Constantine will get you killed.