CHAPTER <b>0019 </b>


    Meadow’s POV


    The doors had just slid open, and walking so casually through them, was ric Ashford, wearing a ck suit that would’ve made my mouth water if my tongue didn’t feel so dry.


    He looked terrifyingly calm and controlled. And the smirk ying at the edge of his lips was anything but casual.


    It was calcted. Dangerously calcted.


    Nova, who had been gearing up for another rant, visibly froze in her spot.


    “Ho–ly shit,” Nova whispered under her breath. “Those fucking inte pictures did not do him justice.”


    I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. I was too busy trying to decode the look in ric’s eye. He wasn’t smiling -he never smiled, but he wasn’t unreadable either. His gazended on me and my stomach twisted.


    “Hello, Nova,” he said, nodding in her direction.


    Nova blinked, looking every bit as mesmerized as I was. “Uh. Hi.”


    “I appreciate you being here with her,” he added politely, stretching his hand out to her.


    <b>Nova </b>didn’t hesitate to take his hand, and I couldn’t help but watch the handshake closely. All that went through my mind was how he must have felt to touch someone without feeling anything. That had to be frustrating as hell.


    “<b>And </b>I appreciate you calling me. Really,” she replied.


    I failed to mention that part about ric to Nova as well, but that was because that wasn’t my story to tell <b>or </b>my <b>secret to </b>share.


    ric nced at me again, his jaw clenching. I had a feeling that he was royally pissed at me.


    There was a long beat of silence as Nova looked between ric and me, squinting a little like she was sensing something in the <b>air </b>that she didn’t want to be a part of.


    “O…kay,” she drawled. <b>“</b>I’m gonna, uh… <b>get </b>some coffee. Meadow, you want anything? No?”


    I shook my head, not trusting my voice.


    Nova gave ric one <bst </b>sideways nce before slipping out through the same doors that he’d just walked through.


    And then it was just us.


    The silence became even heavier. Thicker.


    ric didn’t <b>move </b>closer. He just stood there, hands shoved into his pockets as he regarded me.


    “I-<b>“</b>I started, but my voice cracked.


    “Don’t<b>,</b><b>” </b>he said firmly<b>, </b>cutting me off.


    I flinched slightly, and ric took a step closer to me, his eyes narrowing. “They won’t touch <b>you </b>again,”


    he muttered. “You’re safe.”


    That… that was weird.


    I hadn’t known ric for a long time, but I could tell that he loved to be in control. His presencemanded it. And me leaving the house without informing him had to have messed with something.


    I swallowed. “How did you know where I was?” I asked the one question that had been nagging at the


    back of my mind since I woke up.


    ric took a few more steps closer until he was directly beside the bed. So close, yet so faraway.


    Was it weird that I wanted him to touch me? To hold me and tell me that everything was going to be okay


    and that what happened to me wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened?


    To tell me that even though my twin sister nearly beat me to a pulp, I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t-


    “I told you, Meadow,” ric stated with a slight tilt of his head. “I make it a point to know everything


    about my employees. And it was easy to guess when I noticed your phone on the bed and discovered that


    <b>you </b>were on a call with him.”


    <b>‘</b><b>It </b>wasn’t Tyler,‘ I wanted to say. But then, something else clicked.


    Something that should have clicked since I was at Tyler’s apartment.


    ‘Tyler got a big promotion at work today<b>,</b><b>‘ </b>Juniper had told me. ‘Isn’t that amazing?‘


    Tyler worked in ric’spany. And if there was anyone who would’ve given him a big promotion, it would be-


    “You promoted him<b>?</b><b>” </b><b>My </b>voice was barely above a whisper as something thick lodged itself in my throat. “Tyler. You… gave him a promotion?<b>” </b>


    I couldn’t fucking believe this.


    ric didn’t respond, he just watched me carefully. And frankly, his vague muteness was starting to piss me off.


    I sat up straighter<b>, </b>my heart pounding hard against my chest. “You said you wanted revenge for me,” I grit out. “That you’d help me ruin him. And then you go ahead and-”


    <b>“</b>Meadow<i>.</i><i>” </i>


    “-give him a higher position?<b>” </b>I snapped. “Are you insane?”


    He smirked. “If there’s anyone who should be asking that question, it should be me. No?”


    I scoffed, and ric ignored me. “And besides, you haven’t even expressed <b>your </b>desire for revenge.”


    He reached for my hair, twirling it gently around his fingers. “All I’ve done is talk, and all <b>you’ve </b>done is


    listen. You said you didn’t care about revenge, didn’t you?”


    My jaw ticked and I looked away.


    My desire for revenge? Maybe it had been buried deep inside the rational part of me. But right now? <b>It </b>


    burned.


    I didn’t say a word in response, and ric took a seat next to me. Right on the bed.


    And then, he reached for my chin, turning me to face him, causing a shiver to run down my spine at the glint of worry in his eyes.


    “I never said revenge would be quick, Meadow,” he said gently.


    <b>“</b>You made it sound like you’d take him down quick<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    He didn’t take his eyes away from mine as he spoke. “That would defeat the entire purpose of revenge, wouldn’t it?” His hand moved to my neck. <b>“</b>I’ll take him down, piece by piece, if you let me.”


    I hated how calm he was. Howpletely in control he seemed. It made me feel crazy for feeling so


    emotional. Like I was the one who was missing something obvious.


    <b>“</b><b>I </b>want to trust you<i>,</i>” I whispered, shaking my head.


    “That will be a wise choice to make, Meadow. It’s all I’m asking.” He let out a warm, minty breath that fanned my face. “<b>You </b>know I’ll take care of you better than anyone ever has. Last night was a slip–up on my part<b>, </b>and I’m going <b>to </b>regret not doing more for a long fucking time.”


    I <b>didn’t </b>respond. I couldn’t<b>. </b>Not with the way my brain was spinning.


    ric rose to his feet<b>. </b>“I have <b>to </b>get to the office. I’d take you home right now, but something tells me you and your friend have a lot of catching up to do.”


    “Thank you… for contacting her,<b>” </b>I said. And I meant it wholeheartedly.


    ric mouth twitched. “West will be here until you’re ready to go.”


    “Wait,” I muttered <b>as </b>something urred to me. “What happened to Juniper? I know I saw your bodyguard … hit her.”


    “Right,” ric smirked. “Your sister won’t be a problem anymore. Or at least for a little while,” he added when my brows drew together.


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    My stomach roiled. “What do you mean by that?<b>” </b>


    What did he do to her?


    There’s was a glint in ric’s eye that drove me mad with curiosity.


    “I had her evaluated,” he finally said. “Had the test tailored for her <b>to </b>fail.<b>” </b>


    A chill ran down my spine.


    “What test?” I asked, dreading the answer already.


    ric smiled then, cold and precise. “Psychological. She’s been admitted for treatment…for now.”


    Oh my… oh my god.


    ric turned then, walking out the door, not turning back even once to nce at me. And all I did was stare after him, wide–eyed.


    What the hell had he done to Juniper?