Burn (Breathless #3)(69)

“I don’t give a f**k 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 f**k 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 f**k 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 f**k,” 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?

His mother licked her lips as the security closed in. “I need to speak to you, Ash. It’s important. It’s about your grandfather.”

“You aren’t manipulating me like you manipulate everyone else in your life. I have no interest in you or the old man. Look around, Mother. I don’t need you. I don’t need him. I’ve made a success of myself without any of you. And perhaps that’s the biggest reason you despise me so much.”

She went white, but anger glittered in her eyes. Josie’s heart ached for Ash. It didn’t matter that he’d hardened himself to his family. This was his mother! Everyone needed a mother. She could only imagine how it made him feel to know his own mother despised him.

She reached up, not knowing if it was what she should do, but she curled her fingers around Ash’s hand and then rose to stand beside him. Only he shifted so she wasn’t exactly beside him but more behind him, nestled into his side. He was protecting her even now from his mother’s judgment and vitriol. Josie just wanted him to know that she was here. Beside him. Always. He might be protective of her, but she sure as hell would protect him from whatever she could.

“Escort her out,” Ash said to the two security officers.

“I know my own way out,” she huffed, shrugging off the hand of one of the guards.

“I have no doubt of that. But then letting you walk out on your own would deprive me of the pleasure of having you thrown out,” Ash said.

He nodded toward the two security guards and they grasped his mother by the arms, one on either side, and began to lead her away.

Her shrieks of indignation filled the air. Josie flinched because every eye in the restaurant was on them. She’d even seen a few camera flashes. She had no doubt today’s incident would be all over the tabloids. Ash was one of the wealthiest men in the city. He came from money, from people with connections in society. His grandfather was a well-known figure in politics. No doubt the papers would be tripping over themselves to report the estrangement between Ash and his mother.

What if Michael saw it? Would he try to cause trouble for Ash once he realized who Ash was?

More camera flashes, this time much closer. Josie flinched away, covering her face with a hand. Ash pulled her farther behind him and then flicked his hand toward the people taking pictures. In a moment’s time, more security rushed forward, effectively shutting down the impromptu photo session.

Josie sagged into her chair. Brittany looked shell-shocked. She was pale and looked mortified as she sagged against the back of her chair. Josie’s heart went out to her.

“I’m having a girls’ night out Wednesday night,” Josie said casually. “You should go with us. It’ll be fun.”