Chapter 49

49

The spa day was just what Ava needed. She had thought the spa would be some small facility that acted as a front for Zane’s other business. But it turned out to be one of the most famous spas in the city. Not only that, but it had been completely empty except for the staff.

“Mr. Velky has booked the spa for the day,” a sweet girl told her when Ava asked about it.

“Yeah, nothing serious about that relationship,” Gabriel teased Ava. They had the most relaxing day, being pampered and talking. Gabriel told her he had already started working on some things for Zane. Amongst other things, Ava’s suggestion for a charity. He also told her that after Ryder’s confessing his fears to Gabriel, things between them had become better. Gabriel sounded happy and in love. Ava was more than happy for him. As they left the spa, Ava felt like a new person. Her muscles felt like rubber, her hair was shiny and her skin glowed and felt smooth. They dropped Gabriel off at his apartment before going home to the mansion. Zane and Jax were putting on their jackets as Ava

walked in.

“Hi, Angel, you look relaxed,” Zane said.

“I am relaxed, she admitted and gave him a quick kiss. “Going out?”

“Yes, we will be at the club all night. I’m sorry you have to have dinner alone,” he told her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll eat with Anna and the kitchen staff. Be careful.”

“Don’t worry about us, Ava. We will just be having some business talks, some drinks and having a good time,” Jax said. with a smile. Then he looked like he remembered something and looked a little worried. “I mean, it’s business talks. You know, just negotiations,” he added. Zane gave him a disapproving look, like he was angry with him. Ava had rarely seen Zane look at his friend that way.

“Then I hope everything goes well and you have fun,” she said. She couldn’t deny she had felt a brief pang in the vicinity of her heart when she heard the way Jax had told her they would have fun. It summoned images of them sitting with other men while surrounded by women in dresses that looked more like bikinis. But Zane had all the right to do things like that, so she tried to push her feelings aside.

“I’ll call you and check in,” Zane said.

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll call you.” He insisted.

“Okay, I’ll wait for your call.” Ava nodded and gave him another light kiss before letting them go. She made her way to the kitchen and asked if they needed help with cooking. Anna refused her help, but ushered her to a chair and, as by magic, a glass of wine appeared in Ava’s hand and she sat in the kitchen gossiping with the staff while they prepared dinner. Ava learned that a couple of the regular women who came to the house were deeply disappointed that Ryder seemed to have found someone. Ava was giddy when she told them who that someone was. She ate dinner with them and then she watched a movie in the living room. As Ryder had gone with Zane and Jax, Zane had left Carlos in charge of her security. Ava and Carlos didn’t know each other as well as her usual security. But after a little coxing and a lot of sighing over her choice of movie, Ava got Carlos to join her. One movie turned into two and then three. Before Ava knew it, the clock was a little over midnight. Zane hadn’t called, and Ava felt a little uneasy about it.

“Carlos, everything is okay, right?” she asked.

“What do you mean, Miss A?”

“I mean, there haven’t been any shootings or fights or something like that,” she said.

“Not that I have heard of. You don’t need to worry, Miss A. If there would be something dangerous going on, we would know it and this place will turn into a fortress. You have seen it. You are safe here,” he reassured her.

“Thank you, Carlos. I think it’s time for bed.” Ava felt relieved Carlos had taken her question as a concern for her own wellbeing and not a need to check in on Zane. She walked up the stairs after saying good night and hesitated. Maybe Zane just had been too busy to call. Maybe he was with another woman. Ava didn’t know and wasn’t sure she wanted to. But she didn’t think she could sleep in his room, what if he brought someone else back? For the first time since her first week in the mansion, she walked into her own room and got ready for bed. She lay in bed, watching her phone. It was almost two o’clock and Zane hadn’t called. It was okey; she had told him he didn’t need to call. But he had insisted. Why had he insisted if he wasn’t going to call? Ava tried to shut out the thoughts that were becoming borderline obsessive. She eventually fell asleep.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Ava was awoken by the angry voice. It took her a minute to calm her racing heart and realise it was Zane that stood by her bed, glaring at her.

“Zane?”

“I said, what the fuck are you doing?” he asked again.

“Um, sleeping. What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Why are you sleeping in this place?”

“In this place? In my room?” she asked. Her brain was still in sleep mode and she was trying to figure out why Zane

was so upset.

“Fuck, Ava. You do not sleep here. Come with me,” he told her, turned around and headed towards the door. Ava scrambled to get out of bed and follow him. He walked into his own bedroom, and Ava followed. He stopped at his bed. and pointed at it. “Get in.” The words sounded like a growl. Ava hurried to get into bed. Zane bent down over her and gripped her throat. “This is where you sleep. If I don’t find you here when you are supposed to be sleeping, I will find you and I will make sure you remember where you are supposed to be. Do I make myself clear?” he said in a low voice.

“Yes, Zane.”

“Good.” he said and kissed her hard. “Now, go back to sleep. I’ll join you in a little bit,” he then told her in a softer

voice.

“Okay. Did you have a good evening?” she asked as she made herself comfortable in the familiar bed. Zane grunted and made a face.

“It was complicated,” he said as he removed his clothes.

“I’m sorry.” Ava told him as she watched him.

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“It’s not your fault, Angel. I’m sorry I didn’t get to call you.”

“It’s okay,” she said, not wanting to let him know how much it had upset her. He nodded and went into the bathroom. Ava was almost asleep again when she felt the bed dip under his weight a while later. Out of instinct, she moved towards him and she felt his arms wrap around her as he kissed her head.

“Sleep tight, Angel,” he mumbled. In her almost sleep state, Ava admitted to herself that she was in love with the man besides her. She also knew she didn’t want to end up like the woman who had come by a while ago. Ava would try to enjoy her time with Zane, but still keep a wall around her heart as best she could and keep reminding herself the feelings were one–sided and temporary. She would just have to try to pick up the pieces of her heart when it was over.

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