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Chapter twenty-eight
AVA
Walkingintothedining room, I can’t help the way my shoulders deflate when I see Lewis sat next to my usual seat. I’m not sure where I find the energy to plaster on a smile, but it happens.
“Hi, Ava,” he says as I walk the length of the table, his eyes roaming my body. I’m only in leggings and a sweater, but he makes me feel like I’m barely covered. I supress a shudder. Lewis officially gives me the ick.
“Hi, Lewis.” I don’t know if my unease started when he over-confidently invited himself into my room the first time we met, or if it happened at breakfast the other day, but my instincts are screaming to stay away from him. He wouldn’t accept no for an answer when he asked me to breakfast. I spent the whole morning feeling uncomfortable while he went on and on about how nice it is for our families to be one, as if my father giving control of our finances to a business associate over his own wife was a good thing.
“How was your day, love?” my mum asks me, but I can’t help but flick my eyes to Stone before answering. His gaze is on me but impassive, giving nothing away. It’s not like I’m suddenly going to confess all of the shit I get at school, so it’s no wonder he’s not worried.
“It was fine, thank you. How was your trip?”
Mum tells the table about what she got up to, and I feel guilty for getting distracted, but I really cannot face this today. I can’t wait to get to Millie’s and unwind from this week. I get pulled out of my own head by Lewis leaning in way too closely, his lips touching my ear as he whispers.
“How about we go for dessert after this? Just me and you?” An involuntary shudder rolls through me, and he must think this is a good sign because he chuckles cockily, not moving away from me.
“Have you asked Cole to be your man of honour?”
I look up at Stone as Lewis finally moves away, thankfully. What did he say? Stone’s gaze is so intense, and I’m not sure what gag he’s playing this time.
“Stone, don’t start,” Lewis warns him, but Stone doesn’t even look at him.
“What? Wedding plans aren’t a family affair?”
“No, they’re not.” I can sense Lewis looking at me, but I can’t stop looking at Stone, trying to figure out what his eyes are telling me. It’s not often that they’re not filled with anger, and that’s got me more confused than his words.
“Whose wedding plans?”
“Yours. Although you might go up in flames if you wear white. Not exactly a virgin bride, are you?”
“Stone,” Foster barks. “That’s enough.”
My face heats at his insinuation in front of Mum and Foster, but my brain is finally catching on.
“I’m not having a wedding,” I spell out to him. Why on earth would he think I was?
“Happy to just sign and get it over with? Makes sense. It is a transaction, after all. As long as the wedding night is the same, eh, Lewis?”
“Stone, I’m warning you.” I haven’t heard Foster angry since I got here, and it warms me to think he’s upset at the way his son is speaking to me. My father never would’ve stood up for me against another man.
“What are you talking about?” I finally peel my eyes away from Stone to look at Lewis, who is still watching me. Then I look at my mum and Foster. No one else looks confused by whatever Stone is going on about, it’s apparently just me who has no clue. “Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?” I ask the table.
“Lewis—”
“Stone, shut the fuck up!” I screech it, but I can’t get my thoughts straight around his constant barbs. “Who’s getting married?”
Lewis straightens his shoulders before answering. “We are.”
My eyebrows feel like they meet my hairline. “Like fuck we are!”
“It was arranged by myself and your father.”
I turn my head to look at Mum for the first time. No, that can’t be right. Her face tells me that’s exactly what happened. He did it. He arranged to marry me off without even consulting me, before I’d even met the guy. And the guy is Lewis. I can’t figure out which fucked up part of this I’m freaking out about more, but I’m definitely freaking out. I can’t believe he’d do that.
“Ava? You knew about this, right? You decided to go ahead with it still…” she says slowly, and my mouth drops open, because not one part of that statement is true. All I can do is shake my head, as if this whole evening can rewind if I just refuse it. Her gaze turns to anger like I’ve never seen before. My mum doesn’t do angry; in fact, she doesn’t do much except passive. Even in the last few weeks where she’s come out of her shell, she’s still docile.
When he speaks, Foster’s voice is like ice. “Lewis? Care to explain why Ava is so shocked?”
“It’s best for both businesses,” the cocky fuck says with a shrug, like he’s talking about a deal and not a tricked marriage.
“And what about Ava?”
“She was going to be given to me anyway.” Stone, who has been surprisingly quiet since the truth came out, launches himself over the table. I scream as he gets a solid right hook to Lewis’s face, which I can tell because I’m still sitting right next to him, too shocked to move. The chair tips, taking Lewis and Stone with it. Foster stands to try and separate them both, and I meet my mum’s gaze across the table. Guilt and fear flashes across her eyes, but I can’t handle this situation any longer. I run like a coward, grabbing my keys, getting straight in my car, and heading to Millie’s. It’s not until I’m halfway there that I feel like I can breathe again.
Finding her sprawled on her bed with her head in a book, I throw myself face down next to her with a groan. I came the long way along the coast, but even that didn’t calm me all the way down.
“Woah, what’s up with you?”
“My father arranged for me to marry Lewis,” I mumble into the cover. There’s silence, and when I spin my face to look at her, she’s sitting up with her mouth wide open.
“What?”
“Yep. The one thing I thought he’d never do, and he did it.” It takes her a minute to process, and I give her the time, sitting up to face her.
“Not to be insensitive, but your dad is dead. Does that matter anymore?”
“I hope not, but Lewis has convinced everyone that I knew about it and still wanted to go through with it.” Her mouth drops open again, and it’s a very satisfactory reaction. “I just found out at dinner.”
“Fucking hell,” she breathes.
“I know.”
“How are you not freaking out?”
“Oh, I am. Imagine being tied to Lewis! But what do I do right now? Surely it can’t be legal, right? I’ll be twenty-one soon. Wouldn’t they need my agreement?”
“Which you’re not going to give.”
“Obviously!”
“Your dad was probably the only one who could’ve forced you to do something like that against your will.”
“Exactly.”
“So Stone thought you were betrothed to Lewis this whole time?” I nod. “What does he think now that he knows?”
“I have no idea. I left while he was pounding the shit out of Lewis.”
“Jesus.”
“Yep.”
“That explains why he’s been such a wanker,” she says with a thoughtful tone.
“Why?”
“Oh, please. that guy is so in love with you it’s sickening. A jealous alpha male? Stone to a T.”
“Stone is not in love with me. And it might explain it, but it doesn’t excuse it. Have you forgotten the hell they’ve all put me through since I started at Oakview?” I’m getting annoyed again now.
“I know, but—”
I cut her off. “I don’t want to talk about him any more anyway.”
“Okay. You know what? We need to drink to your cancelled nuptials.”
“Eurgh,” I groan, sinking into her bed further. “I kind of want to crawl into bed and not leave for a while.”
“And let Lewis win? No, we’re going out and having a great time, and maybe you’ll find your perfect guy and marry him instead.”
“Okay, let’s not get carried away.” As frustrated as I am, Millie can still make me smile, even if it’s a little one.
“Come on! We love Friday nights, and we haven’t been out in weeks.”
She’s right—Friday nights out with Millie always cheer me up. And I’m trying hard to believe my reasoning from earlier so I don’t spiral. It can’t be legal, right? This isn’t the 1900s. “Okay, fine. But I need alcohol. Now.”
“Then that is exactly what we’ll do,” she says, jumping straight up and heading to the minibar. Best friend ever. We spend longer than usual getting ready because I keep stopping to make more drinks, but eventually we’re on our way to the club. I’m wearing black leather skinny-trousers and a strapless bodice with bardot-style straps. Sky-high stilettos, a slick bun, and a black winged eyeliner complete the look.
“You look seriously hot. Stone’s going to swallow his tongue when you get back.”
I roll my eyes at her. “I hope he does, and I hope he chokes on it.”
“Mhmm.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself.” She beams and twirls, letting her short silky wrap dress flare out.
We have enough of a buzz from pre-drinking at Millie’s, so as soon as we get in to the bar, we get to dancing. I swear this place is better than therapy. As I sway my hips and close my eyes, I feel my worries draining away, even it it’s just for while the music plays. I have no idea how much time passes before Millie taps me on the arm, gesturing to the bar when I open my eyes. I shout that I’m going to the bathroom first and I’ll meet her there, and she nods before we separate. The queue for the Ladies is always never-ending, so I head to the staff bathrooms. Knowing the owner definitely has its perks. As I open the door and step out, I’m not expecting to walk straight into another body, and I stumble on my heels, falling back and only remaining upright because the wall is there. My shoulder takes the brunt of my fall and it aches. I rub it, hoping I haven’t hurt it too badly.
“Look what I found,” a familiar voice says, pushing me back against the wall. I recognise the voice instantly. He leans down to whisper into my ear. “You’re mine now.” My brain screams at me to do something—fight, scream, flee; anything—but my body doesn’t compute. I’m frozen with terror. I take a deep breath, knowing I have to do something.
“Dane, what the fuck?” I shout as loud as I can, hoping someone will hear. “You scared the shit out of me.” I’m managing to sound a lot more confident than I feel right now. Realising it’s someone I know is not comforting me like it should, not with Dane. “Did you follow me down here?” The pounding bass of the music filters down the hallway. Why would he be by the staff toilets?
“I thought we could chat,” he says, not answering my question. “I’ve missed you.” He runs a hand gently down my arm. He’s still way too close, and I straighten up, finally shoving at his chest and gaining a tiny bit of space between us.
“Talk about what?” I ask incredulously. “We weren’t exactly friends before, and I haven’t forgotten the bet or the way you told me.” He’s either too drunk to notice or completely ignores my tone as he leans forward and plants his hands on my hips.
“I’m sure that game was rigged, and I’ve heard all about your time at Oakview. I think I’m owed a go on the dirty little slut.” My blood runs cold as he steps closer into me. “You were such a frigid bitch at Highland, what changed?” He strokes a finger back up my arm and I shake him off, pulling it tighter to my body.
“Nothing. Don’t touch me.” I shove at his chest again, but this time he doesn’t move an inch.
“You don’t mean that.” His breath washes over me before he crushes his lips to mine, smashing them against my teeth. He grabs the hair at the nape of my neck. My scalp stings as my hair is wrenched out of its bun, and I try to push him away, but he tuts. “You’re making this more difficult than it needs to be.” Grabbing me by my upper arms, he holds me tightly and pins me against the wall with his body, kissing me before reaching up and squeezing my breast hard through my top. My heart beats so hard against my ribs it feels like I can’t breathe. I try to buck against him, but when I feel his length against my stomach, I freeze. Fuck. This is really happening. How do I get out of here?
Dane yanks the front of my top down, ripping the straps from the front of it and exposing my breasts. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I grit my teeth and refuse to cry in front of him. Do something, Ava! He grabs my other breast in a vice-like grip and I can’t help but whimper in pain. As I cry out, he takes the chance, sliding his tongue inside my mouth. I want to vomit. My mouth feels like it’s been tainted. Instinctively, I thrash against him, which finally makes him pull away. “Getting into it now, are you?” He moves his hand down, yanking at the button on my trousers, and I move the only part of my body I can right now. I bring my knee up and aim right for his dick, making him crumple to the ground as it lands perfectly. I don’t wait around, pulling my top back up as best I can to cover myself as I leave him there on the floor. Running the length of the corridor in my heels, I bump into someone else as I reach the end.
“Sorry,” I murmur, flustered, trying desperately to shove past them to get back to the main room.
“Ava? What’s wrong?” I look up in confusion at Reid trying to stop my escape.
“Reid?” My heart still pounds in my chest. “What are you doing here?” I say shakily.
“Are you okay?” he asks, looking at my hair, my shirt.
“I’m fine. I’m going home.” I duck past him, quickly swerving through the crowd to grab Millie from the bar.
“Hey, you okay?” she asks me with a small frown as she takes in my face.
“Not really.” I think the adrenaline is starting to wear off and I really want to be at home, or Foster’s, anywhere I can be alone. “I just met Dane in a darkened corridor. You can imagine how that went.” Something flashes over her face, but I’m too drunk or too out of it to decipher. “I kneed him in the balls and ran, we have to go.” I grab her hand and start to pull her towards the exit.
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Wait!” someone shouts, and I turn to see Reid again. “I’ll take you.”
“No, thank you. I don’t get into cars with people I don’t trust.”
His brow dips, and I almost feel bad, but I push it back down. I tug Millie outside, where we stand in the cold for ten minutes, pacing as we unsuccessfully try to get an Uber. Thankfully, Dane doesn’t make a reappearance.
“Come on. Don’t get pneumonia trying to prove a point.” Reid followed us out and hasn’t given up yet.
“This is California, people don’t get pneumonia here,” I reply.
“Are you staying at mine?” Millie asks. She’s my best friend, but I don’t feel like myself at the moment, and I really want to just get back and have a hot hot shower.
“Not tonight. Is that okay?”
She leans in close. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. Not yet. I just need to get out of here, away from him.
She nods silently, looking sad. I think I might’ve upset her, but I’m too overwhelmed to take the conversation any further tonight. I’m tempted to ask her to come back and stay with me, but that’s too pathetic for words. I check the app again, but there still aren’t any cars nearby, so I growl in frustration and spin to Reid.
“Fine. A lift would be great.” I’m half expecting him to refuse or laugh in my face or something, but he leads the way to his car, dropping Millie off on the way home.
