Chapter 24
Ava’s POV
Somehow, Hailey Sullivan caught my attention. She possessed a super sweet aura, yet I sensed a woman capable of immense, bloody violence lurking beneath the surface. Her life, her status, and her background only deepened my curiosity.
So many people within the organization were still roaming free, the real traitors of the Romanov Family, yet I felt paralyzed by confusion about what to do next. I could only hope that Fabio was working on my case because if he wasn’t, I would have to pursue it alone.
“SIR! Code Red! Like, for real Code Red!” The guy practically skidded to a halt, sweat beading on his forehead like he’d just run a marathon…. in a sauna. His eyes were so wide I could practically see his brain rattling around in there.
Dante tossed his cigarette aside, but I stepped directly in his path. “Pick up your cigarette and throw it in a trash can, not in my greenhouse.”
He scoffed. “What the…” Then, with a muttered grumble, he bent down, picked it up, and walked away with his right–hand man. The man glanced back at me, a look of confusion on his face, before following Dante out
I sighed, leaning back in my chair and closing my eyes. “Damn,” I muttered, “why is it so difficult to live among these people?” And wouldn’t you know it, thinking of the devil, he was walking into my greenhouse! “Damn it, I thought, “I have to hide!” But there was no time; he was already here.
I turned around to face him, my cheeks flushing. I even stuttered, “Oh… shit”
Then I gasped, staring at his intense expression. It was so fierce, so unpredictable – was he angry or happy? Quickly, I corrected myself, “Oh, not you! I wasn’t calling you shit I was referring to the fertilizer right in front of me.. the cow
manure
He didn’t say anything, just slowly scanned my greenhouse. It was bursting with petals, lush plants, and all sorts of flowers- overall, it was a very aesthetically girly space, and I knew it wasn’t his vibe. He was the darkest man I’d ever known, after all. “You’re building your own business, right?” he finally asked, his gaze lingering on a vibrant climbing rose.
I nodded. “Yes”
“You need to get permits,” he stated, launching into a list. “Business license, sales tax permit, zoning permit, and a health department permit.” He explained it to me as if I were completely clueless, even though I was already in the process of obtaining those documents.
Then he added. “You have to apply for them under my name so I can give you the permit.”
My eyes widened. Oh, right. He was the leader of my Ironclad’s organization, Yet all I had now was the family name. Do l really have to ask him for a fucking permit?
“I thought I had to ask the government-”
He cut me off, a hint of possessiveness in his voice. “I control the government here. So, you better use my name, and you’ll get everything you need.”
“So, what do you want me to say to them?” I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Hi, I’m Ava Romanov, and I’m applying for a business permit. Oh, and by the way, I’m practically part of the Moretti Family now. You know Fabio Moretti? Yeah, well, you have to give me this permit, or else he’ll get all huffy because he, you know, controls you and the entire government of this country..
Fabio chuckled softly, a low rumble in his chest, like I was some kind of amusing clown putting on a little show just for him. “Don’t laugh at me,” I said, my lower lip jutting out in a pout. “You kissed me today, and you didn’t even ask for my permission…. but me? Everything I do, I have to ask your permission for?”
already said yes, you can have that girly little business. That’s not a problem for me,” he said, then walked towards me, his qyes intense. “And that kiss back there… you didn’t kiss me back.”
I gasped, a sudden realization hitting me. “You have a fiancée-
Chapter 24
+8 Pearls
“I’m not in any relationship,” he interrupted. “It’s just a family bond merging. She was promised to me three years ago. We’ve been engaged for three years, and there’s still no wedding because I really don’t want to marry her” He explained it with raw frustration like he was utterly fed up with Hailey’s everything.
I nodded slowly. “Okay, we have a deal about it and I already agreed to it, but I have to be honest with you – no kissing, no touching, absolutely nothing”
He rubbed his temple, a trace of annoyance crossing his features. “How are we supposed to discourage Hailey if there’s no kissing and no touching?”
“So,” I asked, my voice surprised, you want me to act like the girl who wrecks everyone’s relationship?”
“I told you, Hailey and I have no relationship,” he insisted, “She’s obsessed with me. She’ll only stop when she sees me seriously involved with someone else… when my attention is completely focused on another woman.”
“And in these past three years,” I pressed, a touch of disbelief in my tone, “you haven’t had anyone? Not a girl? Not even a side chick?”
He answered, his gaze surprisingly direct, I only liked one girl, but she was married”
I couldn’t help the surprised laugh that escaped me. “Oh, my bad,” I said, trying to sound sympathetic but failing miserably. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
And when I saw his fiercely serious expression while he continued to stare at me, laughing. I cleared my throat and tried to act normal. “So, if this woman was married–you said was, so is she single now? Maybe you can finally pursue her instead of wasting your time on me. I’m a bad actress…”
“She hates me,” he said with a sigh.
1 mouthed a soft “Oh, and for the first time, I felt bad for him. So that’s why he’s never had a a girlfriend–the woman he likes has never liked him back. Ouch.
“Listen,” he said, his voice low and steady, like a man used to being obeyed. “You help me with this. You understand? Because you’re involved now, just like I am.”
“Right…” I said with a little sigh. “Okay, so we can kiss and touch if she sees us that’s the plan. But if she gets upset cancels the wedding soon, then I don’t have to pretend anymore, right? I won’t owe you anything after that?”
–
and
“Yeah,” he said, his hand still out. His voice was quiet, but you could tell he meant business. “So, while you’re pretending to be my girl, I’ll also be busy with that old Romanov’s assassination fifeen years ago. Just make sure your history stuff doesn’t mess up what we’re doing. Got it?”
