Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 118410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 592(@200wpm)___ 474(@250wpm)___ 395(@300wpm)
Her eyes were filled with awe as she brought her hand up and placed a finger on her lips. At her reaction, I felt myself softening even further.
For years, I had lived in the darkness with no emotions. I had remained unfeeling.
Yet, with one look from Ayla, I felt everything.
And that scared me.
Whenever I felt something for Ayla, Alfredo’s voice resonated in my head. I would never forget the words he said to my mother.
The best way to bring a man down is by his weakness.
What I said to Maddie was the truth. This was not about me. It was about Ayla and what was right for her.
I let her go, and she blinked in surprise when I took a step back, forcing her to let go of me.
“We need to get back,” I said, turning around, refusing to look at her confused expression.
“Okay,” she whispered, her small voice hinting her sadness.
Both of us were silent on our way back to the mansion. As we got closer, the sound of the rushing water started to fade until we didn’t hear it anymore. Breaking away from the forest, I took a deep breath as we walked into the back garden.
Ayla was right behind me, her steps so close she almost tripped herself over my feet. When we walked inside, I slowed down and turned toward her.
She stopped too and grabbed onto the hem of her dress nervously. “I’ll see you later,” I muttered. Ayla nodded and then walked away without saying anything.
I felt my eyebrows furrow in confusion when I saw her walking toward the kitchen. Quickly moving forward, I grabbed her elbow, halting her movement.
She gasped in shock and swiveled around, facing me with wide eyes. “Where are you going?” I demanded, letting go of her arm.
“To the kitchen,” Ayla replied.
Crossing my arms across my chest, I leveled her with a stare. “Why?”
She cocked her head to the side, as if debating what to tell me. “To help Maddie and Lena.”
“You are supposed to be resting, Ayla. No work for you.”
“But I have been resting for three days now. I can work. I feel okay.”
“No,” I said.
“But it’s boring. I want to help.”
“No, Ayla. You are going upstairs to rest.”
“But—”
“No. Stop arguing.”
Her mouth snapped shut and she cowered. The beautiful smile disappeared.
I didn’t like her sad expression.
Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair and looked away. Fuck.
“Fine. You can go. Just don’t overwork yourself. You don’t want to tear those stitches,” I said.
But it was worth it when I turned around to see her staring at me with twinkling green eyes, and then a breathtaking smile spread across her lips.
“Thank you,” she said before turning around and quickly walking away. I stayed frozen, my eyes glued on her retreating back.
Fuck. I was losing it.
***
The rest of the day was spent avoiding Ayla. I stayed locked in my office and then went to the gym to vent my frustration on the punching bag.
Leaning against the wall, I tried to catch my breath.
“You are going to kill us one day,” Viktor said.
“You are too stubborn to die,” I told him, breathless.
“Well, I have to agree on that.” He shrugged.
I pushed away from the wall and walked to the bench, grabbing a towel. “Are Artur and Phoenix coming back tomorrow?” I asked, rubbing the towel over my face.
“They are supposed to report back. We are going to Mark’s tomorrow,” Nikolay replied from his position at the door.
“Any news about the clubs?” I asked.
Nikolay shook his head. “No. Mark said he will give us the details when we meet.”
Since Alberto took over, he’d made it his mission to take over my clubs. So far, he had been unsuccessful, but everyone was taking extra precautions. Mark was one of my top managers, handling over ten clubs, brothels, and underground rings.
Nodding toward Nikolay and Viktor, I left the gym. It was late at night, and most of the lights were off.
After Ayla had played the piano and gone to her room, I couldn’t go to sleep. I stayed seated for some time, staring at nothingness and feeling frustrated at myself. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I went downstairs and spent more time in the gym.
When I went back up again, I stopped in front of my bedroom. Instead of going in, I turned to the left and stared at Ayla’s door.
I knew it was late and that she’d be sleeping, but I still couldn’t stop myself. I took several steps forward, walking past the piano room, until I was in front of her room. Placing my hand over the knob, I slowly twisted it and opened the door.
The room was dark. Only the small lamp beside her bed was on, barely illuminating the room. Walking deeper inside, I came to a stop beside Ayla. She was on her side, curled into a ball with the comforter up to her waist. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even as she slept soundly.