Page 64 of Asher Black (The Five Syndicates)
I read the article:
Trouble in Paradise?
by Justin Sider
Hi, ladies (and gents—we see you, too)! Asher Black’s new fiancée, Lucy Ives, 20, was finally spotted—at Carmen’s Cantina sans fiancé. This is the first time she’s been pictured since rumors spread of her engagement to self-made billionaire Asher Black, 25. Hmm… Could it be that there’s already trouble in paradise for the two lovebirds? What do you guys think? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this! But let’s be real, we know you all have your fingers crossed, hoping they don’t make it down the aisle.
I scroll down further and read a few of the most liked comments.
Alyssa (Downey, CA): Finally he’s come to his senses! Took him long enough. We all knew that he’s too good for her.
Hannah Marie (Richmond, VA): Like if you’d have Asher Black’s babies!
David (Devils Lake, ND): I’d bone. Don’t even care if she’s his sloppy seconds, too.
Aaron (El Paso, TX): Bet she has a mouth like a vacuum to match those porn star tits. Am I right or am I right?
Disgusted, I hand Asher his phone back.
Looking around, I notice Monica isn’t here, even though she’s usually with him this time of day. It’s only him and one of his main bodyguards, who’s sitting at the same table as Xavier. With matching goliath frames and serious, brooding expressions, the two of them are the picture of intimidation.
I turn back to Asher. “Where’s Monica?”
“I sent her home for the day.” At my confounded look, he adds, “Her attitude has been getting worse. She’s been getting on my last nerves. I’ll have to do something about her.”
“But you won’t.”
It would be done already if he really wants to. He’s not the type to wait around.
He sends an appraising look my way. It sends goosebumps up and down my arms. I shiver a little, causing a ghost of a smile to appear on his lips.
“I won’t,” he agrees. “It’s not a good idea to fire my long-time assistant before the vote. It won’t exactly say, ‘stable.’”
“And after?”
“As soon as it’s done, she’s gone.”
I nod, relieved. She can’t stand me, and I can’t stand her. I have a contract that requires me to be here for two more years. She doesn’t. If one of us is going, it’s her.
I think she knows it, too, and it’s causing her to be even crueler to me. She’s another Minka, only she has the power to hurt me. Speaking of Minka, I see her heading our way just as Aimee plops herself down at the table.
“Something wicked this way comes,” I say, quoting the title of the Ray Bradbury novel.
Aimee tears her stunned eyes away from Asher just as Minka settles herself in front of our table. There’s a screeching of chairs as Xavier and Asher’s guard stand up behind her. Asher gives a shake of his head at the two, and they both sit back down. Asher’s guard keeps his eyes on our table, while Xavier continues to scan the crowd.
“Minka.” Aimee’s voice is curt, but it delivers a greeting more pleasant than the situation merits.
Minka has her vulture claws out, but she isn’t focused on me or Aimee. She has her sights set on Asher, who choses that moment to wrap his arm around my shoulders. I maintain eye contact with her as I shift in my seat, snuggling closer to him until my head is resting comfortably on his shoulder.
We’re clearly putting on a good show for her, because Minka’s hands clench tightly into little balled fists. Her eyes twitch, and she just stares at us. Behind Minka, Nella’s eyes bulge. The other girl clutches tightly onto Nella’s arm, her expression one of stupefaction.
Minka changes her face into an angelic countenance. “Hey, Aimee and Lucy.” She sends a sweet smile our way. “We just wanted to say hi. We miss you in the dorms, Lucy.”
Her lies are convincing. Hell, I’d believe them if I didn’t know any better.
She eyes my shirt, her disdain clear to me as a cloudless day. “I love your new clothes. They look very expensive.” She smirks, so I prepare myself for a verbal hit. “Did you get a new job? Find a boss that pays well?”
I wince at the obvious innuendo. She just accused me of being a whore. The allegation hits a little too close to home, because while Asher isn’t paying me to fuck him, he is paying me to marry him.
