Page 32 of Love Me Always

“Then who did? Because I know it was none of us since we weren’t here last night.” Gino chuckled knowing exactly who tended to my wound.

“If you already know the answer, why ask?” I muttered as I walked towards the back door. The sun danced on the lake as it always did, the trees swaying gently in the wind. “Where is she?”

“She said she was going for a run around the lake. Don’t you see her?” Red asked.

“No, I don’t. As long as she told one of you where she’s going, that’s fine.” I sighed. “Another order, if she needs to go out of the grounds, one of you will accompany her. Understand?” I turned and asked the three men sitting before me.

“Loud and clear, Boss.” Gino nodded as the others followed his lead.

“Good. Did you up the security so she can’t find a way to sneak out?” I questioned.

“Yes,” Emmet replied.

“Good! I would rather not have a repeat performance of what happened with her father the other night.” I sipped my coffee as she came into view.

She was a vision in the morning, her ash-blonde locks were thrown into a high ponytail that swished down her barely covered back. The sweat glistened as it trickled down her toned stomach, the sunlight highlighting her in all the right places, including how her running shorts barely covered her ass. My blood boiled as I clutched the cup. Knowing the guards on duty saw her like this infuriated me.

“So, her helping you last night made things a little more amicable?” Red asked.

“If that’s what you think, then you’re deluded,” I snapped.

“What? Why?” He was clearly taken aback as he spoke.

“Because I don’t want to be fucking amicable, not that it has anything to do with you.” I snarled.

I placed my cup down on the side with a clatter as I exited the double doors that led to the garden, which cut Red off from answering. I strode over to where Anastacia was resting, her back to me as she looked out over the lake. I wasn’t the man to capture moments on camera, but if I was, then this would have been the perfect one. But as I said, I wasn’t that man.

I could feel the eyes of my men burning holes into my back, but I would not give them the satisfaction of turning around. I noticed her breathing quicken with each step I took that brought me closer to her as if she knew I was there.

Did she know?

Could she feel my presence?

“What do you want?” She spoke softly, her voice remaining firm.

“I just came to—” I began, but she cut me off.

“You came to what? Apologise? Beg for forgiveness for how you acted last night?”

“Oh, darling, I don’t apologise, and I definitely do not beg,” I replied.

“Of course you don’t,” she exclaimed. “Then we have no reason to speak to one another.” She turned to face me, her makeup-free face fucking breath-taking. My gaze was drawn to her lip, which had a faint bruise from ripping it from my teeth so quick. I closed the distance between us, and I half expected her to move back, but she didn't; she stood her ground.

"I'm going out today," she stated, and I realised her voice had an angelic tone to it, one that both infuriated me and made me desire her more even when I didn't want to.

“Take someone with you,” I ordered.

"No," she replied with a smile.

“I wasn’t asking Ana,” I groaned. “I don’t want you going out alone!” I growled.

"I know you weren't, and honestly, I don't give a flying fuck." She smiled again, and this time, it was so damn sweet it was sickening.

"Anastacia! Do as you’re fucking told!” I exclaimed.

"Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?! Don't forget who I fucking am!" she shouted as she bargedpast me, but of course,she didn't make it very far.

I spun on my heel and wrapped my injured fist around her ponytail, causing her body to collide with mine. My other hand splayed against her bare stomach just as it did in her bedroom.

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