Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 42: Chapter 42

I feel like shit. A cold shower only served to make me more irritable. Unfortunately, Ed is the only person around to find out just how intolerable I can be when I'm in this mood. He and the meetings I just finished. Let's just say that Mr. Justin Thorne will be second-guessed for filling in for his brother or me ever again.
"Holy shit, you did it," Mr. Thorne comes in with what I'm guessing is the invoice Cash sent over to confirm shipment. I wave him over so he can give it to me to sign. "You look like shit, Violet."
"Thank you, Mr. Thorne. It's always a fucking pleasure to hear you say that after I just spent the entire night fixing your fuck up," I fight the urge to growl.
"I'm sorry," he laughs, falling into the seat across from me. "It's just weird to see you so-" I look up at him with a glare. "Human. I don't think I've ever actually seen you sick."
"I get sick all the time," especially here cleaning up your brother's shit. "I'm just tired. It was a long night. I had to call in some favors. You owe me big time."
"I do. Which is why I came here to ask you to next week's fundraiser,"
"Take Riley," I decline.
"Violet," he says accusingly.
"What?" I ask defensively.
"I'm asking you. This is our thing. It's been a while since we just hung out."
"I already have a date to the fundraiser," I lie.
It might be a momentary lie because, after what happened before I came into work, I'm willing to bet that Alpha Barnes would jump at the opportunity to take me anywhere.
"What?"
"Well, you've been taking Riley. I figured you would again, and I asked someone."
"The biker?"
"Arsenial Barnes," I correct him.
"You're still seeing him?" he asks just as accusingly as before.
"Yeah, I am. I'm not going to stop because he has tattoos. If anything that adds to his whole thing," it does—a lot.
"I'm sorry I asked," he says, standing up.
"What?" I ask, knowing he's upset.
"Nothing. It's just been hard to keep up with you lately," he says, straightening up to look down at me.
"Because you're distracted. I get it," I shrug.
"How much can you really like Barnes if you're not?" he shoots back.
"I don't see how my doing what I'm supposed to and seeing Mr. Barnes is a problem. It's called prioritizing."
"All I'm saying is that-"
"Ms. Wilde I have a delivery for you," Ed knocks on the door saving Mr. Thorne from whatever fuckery was going to come out of his mouth.
"What is it?"
"Umm," he hums and pushes the doors open to let the delivery guys in. They bring in several bouquets of red flowers.
"Oh, shit," I say standing up.
"They're from a Mr. Arsenial Barnes," he holds up a teddy bear with a tag around its wrists.
I'm not sure what to do as I watch the delivery guys set the adornments around my office. One of them comes over to me and offers me his tablet and stylus. I sign for them, and he bows politely before they all excuse themselves. Ed hands me the bear, and I read the tag. It just has his name on it. There's a sticker that says push me on the belly. I press the center of the bear.
"I hope you're not being mean after not sleeping all night, and that this brightens your day," his voice comes through. My wolf responds to it, and I have to push her down hard.
"Wow," Mr. Thorne says, looking around. "I'll be in my office,"
"Your invoice," I call after him. He stops at the door and spins back around. He can't even look at me. "What's wrong with you?"
"I didn't say anything," he says, snatching the papers off my desk.
"I can pretend not to notice that you're upset. I've done it a lot over the years. So, if you want to keep acting like you're not upset with me, know that I will return it in kind."
"The last time you dated someone who looked like Arsenial Barnes, he kidnapped me and put a gun in my mouth. You remember that?" he asks.
"I do. Vividly. Probably as vividly as you," I stare at him. His eyes come up to meet mine. "I've apologized for that."
"Is that why you're avoiding me? This isn't new, Vy. Ever since the fundraiser at the Venue, something's changed. Did I do something wrong?"
"We swore you would never lie to each other when we became partners. You're acting like I'm the one changing, but I've been the only one keeping that promise. You do that a lot, you know. You project. I don't have a reason to lie to you, Mr. Thorne. I've never put myself in a position to hurt you. If you have something to say to me, don't hold back."
"Violet-"
"Zander," Justin calls from outside. He tenses up and glances back at his brother.
"I'll be right out. Wait in my office," he instructs him.
"High council has been pressuring my mom to buy you out. They're putting together the money to make an offer."
"You're firing me?"
"Of course, not. This is your place, but they agreed that Justin is a Thorne and that he's more than earned his place back on the board. You're half is going to be divided up between all eight branches."
"How long have you known that?"
"Since you got back. It's why I went to see you, but your family was there and I didn't get a chance."