“And what, pray tell, is it that I’m doing?” Ash drawled.
He hadn’t moved his arm from Josie and in fact he’d tightened his hold around her shoulders. She could feel his fingers digging into her arm, but she made no move to get him to loosen it. She doubted he even realized how painful his hold was. It was her only indication of how his mother’s impromptu visit was affecting him.
No matter what he might say about his mother, it still hurt him that she was so . . . bitchy.
His mother’s eyes narrowed, fury spitting from the green eyes she shared with her children.
“Using Brittany to get back at me for some imagined slight. Really, Ash. Putting her to work in your hotel? How vulgar and common is that? Do you get a good laugh out of watching her work? Does it make you happy to know how it makes me feel?”
Ash sat forward like a shot, his face dark, anger gleaming in his eyes. Brittany cast a worried look in Josie’s direction, but at least it didn’t reflect hurt. She hadn’t believed her mother’s accusation. Josie gave her a look of support and sympathy, letting her know that she didn’t believe it any more than Brittany did.
“I don’t give a fuck how it makes you feel,” Ash gritted out. “All I care about is how Brittany feels. But don’t take my word for it, Mother dear. Ask her yourself. Ask her if she feels like I’m making a fool of her by giving her a real job where she gets paid a real salary for doing real work.”
His mother never turned to look at Brittany. But Brittany spoke up, her tone even and unaffected.
“I asked him for a job. He gave me what I asked for. Now please go, Mother. You’re making a spectacle of yourself and that’s one thing you’ve always hated.”
Fury sparked in the older woman’s eyes. Josie was surprised that steam didn’t rise from her ears. And then her gaze settled on Josie, almost as if she was looking for a new victim. Josie fidgeted uncomfortably underneath her gaze but refused to react. She kept her expression serene and unbothered.
“Is this your latest whore, Ash? How dare you take my daughter to lunch with you and your latest piece of ass.”
Brittany gasped, her face turning red. Horror reflected in her eyes as she stared at Ash.
Ash stood, the clatter loud as he pushed back his chair. Then he motioned for security who were already hovering on the fringes.
“Escort this woman out,” he said in a frigid tone. “Furthermore, she is never to be allowed back on the premises of any of my properties. You photograph her and distribute it along with her name. The person who allows her back will be terminated immediately.”
His mother’s face went white with shock. And then color invaded as embarrassment took over. She glanced right and then left, dismayed when she saw a security person on either side.
“Get out,” Ash said, enunciating each word. “Stay away from Brittany and stay away from me. And stay the fuck away from Josie. She will be my wife and the mother of my children. I’ll not allow any disrespect to be shown to her. Ever. Now get the fuck out of my sight. And tell dear old dad and the old man that Brittany and I are out. We have no desire to be a part of the family.”
“Ash, wait,” his mother begged. “I need to talk to you. Please. I let my temper get the best of me, but I came here today to speak to you. I didn’t even know Brittany would be here. I was just caught off guard. But there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“And I don’t give a fuck,” he said coldly. “I have no interest in anything you have to say.”
Josie sat there, stunned by what Ash had said. His wife? Mother of his children? Holy shit but that was deep! They’d only known each other a very short time. He’d said nothing to her about marriage and babies. Not that she had anything against either, but shouldn’t he have at least mentioned it to her before he blabbed it in a public restaurant?