“Good, I finally made my point.” He bent forward, grabbing a handful of clothes—uncaring if they were mine or not—and threw them at my chest. “Get dressed, then get out. If you ever come near my family again, your father will be the first one to pay.”
He didn’t bother turning his back, nor did he leave the room. His eyes pierced through me, challenging me to say something else. I knew he wouldn’t give me the respect of privacy, so I knew there was no sense in asking.
God, this had to be what a walk of shame felt like. I never thought I’d experience it. And that fucker Byron let his daddy do his dirty work. He hadn’t seemed like the type at all.
Jesus fucking Christ. I certainly picked winners.
“Trust me, you have nothing I haven't seen before.” There was no warmth in his tone, but his leering eyes didn’t ease me. Pervert.
Keeping the covers tightly around me, I shifted off the bed and padded to the bathroom, the long sheet trailing behind me. The moment I shut the door, I locked it. Without wasting any time, I dressed.
I thought last night was amazing. Incredible. Unique.
To wake up to something like this was a slap in the face. Flames bloomed in my chest. Anger buzzed in my ears.
The moment I was dressed, I yanked the door open. Senator Ashford was still in the same spot.
I stomped through the room toward the exit door. “Fuck you and your son, Senator Ashford,” I snarled.
Then slammed the door behind me so hard the entire floor shook.
Chapter10
Byron
Carrying two cups of coffee from the coffee shop locals raved about, I strode back to the hotel. The day started fucking amazing. I hadn’t felt so relaxed in a very long time. My cell phone was switched off, and I wouldn’t mind leaving it off. Permanently.
Fuck it, maybe I’d even entertain an early retirement. We had plenty of money, enough to last us several lifetimes.
Grinning like a young fool, I opened the door of the hotel room and my steps faltered as my eyes traveled over the space. The bed was empty, sheets crumpled, and the scent of crisp apples lingered in the air. But there was also a strong air-freshener scent.
“Odette?” My voice bounced off the walls, but no reply came.
I prowled through the room and made my way into the bathroom. Empty. But her scent was everywhere in the room and the bathroom, drowning my senses. I wanted her again. I wanted to kiss her, fuck her, laugh with her. And she was nowhere to be found. Almost as if she was never here. Except for her Hermès scarf that lay discarded on the carpet.
Why did she leave? My eyes darted to the clock. She told me she had an afternoon shift today, but maybe there was an emergency and she had to cover for someone.
Just as I was about to resolve to go to the hospital and see her, a knock on the door sounded. My heart made a weird flip. I strode out of the bathroom expecting to see Odette and instead came face-to-face with my father.
“Byron.” There was a smugness about him and my annoyance flared.
“What are you doing here?” The words flew out of my mouth. I didn’t want to see him right now. I could go without seeing him for a century and not miss him.
He shot me that familiar cold glare that I grew up with. He excelled at making everyone around him—especially my mother, when she was alive—feel worthless. Except, the tables had turned. My mother bested him. All her fortune was tied to her children, and now, it was us who were his superiors. Without us, he’d be easily bankrupt.
He made his way to the love-seat, which only hours ago, I had fucked Odette bent over it. He flopped his ass on it, and I wanted to bark at him to get the fuck away from it.
Crossing his legs, he said, “I want to know why you sent Nicki away.”
I made my way to the desk and leaned against it, watching my father. He seemed nervous, sweating like a pig.
“I didn’t invite her,” I deadpanned. “So I sent her packing.”
He waved like it was nothing. “You two are going to get married and—”
I narrowed my eyes on my father. “I willnevermarry her.”
“She’s from good stock,” he started, like he was talking about a cow. Although when it came to Nicki, the comparison wasn’t far off. “Her family has connections and wealth.”