59

Ava’s head was still a little foggy from the scolding fervent kiss Zane had given her when she walked over to James and the group of people he was standing with.

“Ava,” he said with a smile when he saw her walking towards them.

“Hello again,” Ava said, smiling at the other two people.

“Ava, this is Dr Linda Walsh. She has just started at the hospital. This is Mr. Cleaso, one of the biggest donors for the new surgical wing. This is Ava Cobler. She used to work for us as a nurse,” he introduced her.

“Nice to meet you,” Ava said.

“You as well, miss Cobler,” Mr Cleaso told her. She could feel his eyes rake over her body and Ava forced herself not to take a couple of steps back. Linda just looked at her like she was trying to figure out where Ava fit into a puzzle.

“Please, call me Ava,” Ava told Mr Cleaso.

“Only if you promise to call me Marcus,” he said, firing off what Ava thought was meant to be a smouldering smile. Having been around Zane and Jax, it just looked comical to Ava. But she smiled back at him.

“It would be my pleasure,” she told him.

“Where is your new boss?” James asked.

“He got stuck in a discussion about business. I got a little bored, so I had a look around,” Ava said.

“I didn’t think there would be anyone here who would be open to discuss his type of business,” James told her. Ava wanted to stamp her heel on his foot. Apparently Zane had a bad influence on her. Instead, she laughed softly.

“James, I don’t know what you think Mr. Velky does, but he is in the middle of hopefully getting some new suppliers for In Cavea Aurea. I’m sure you have heard of it,” she said.

“Yes, I have had the pleasure of dining there a couple of times,” Mr. Cleaso said.

“I never heard of it,” Linda told her.

“Have you lived in the city long?” Ava asked her.

“No, I moved here two weeks ago.”

“Then it’s understandable. In Cavea Aurea is one of the best restaurants in the city,” Mr Cleaso filled her in. “You say you are working for Mr Velky?” he asked Ava.

“Yes, that is right,” she answered.

“Excuse me, I need to powder my nose,” Linda said, clearly not interested in the conversation. She waited, as if she expected someone to object. When no one did, she walked away.

“May I ask why you left the hospital to work for Mr Velky, Ava?” Mr Cleaso asked, giving her another intense scan.

“To be honest, Marcus, the pay is just so much better, as are the hours and I get room and board. It also gave me the opportunity to try something new,” she told him.

“Sounds like you made the right decision then,” he said. “I like a woman who is open to new things.” Ava tried to hide the shiver that went down her spine, not in a good kind of way. Mr Cleaso truly made her feel uncomfortable. She was saved from his intense focus as he got a message and took out his phone to look at it. James moved closer to Ava. She thought he had noticed how uncomfortable she was and was trying to help her. Even though she didn’t like him, she appreciated the gesture. He bent down so he could whisper to her.

“Mr. Cleaso looks to be very interested in you,” he said. Ava nodded, watching the man in front of them. “Why don’t you take him to get a drink and then go up to a room with him? I can arrange the room for you.”

“What?” she hissed.

“You obviously don’t have high standards and if you show Mr. Cleaso a good time and then mention the hospital, he might raise his donation,” James told her.

“You want me to sleep with him so you can get more money?” she asked.

“You don’t have a problem sleeping with your boss, it seems like. If you can go to bed with a criminal, I don’t see why you can’t do this. This is for a good cause,” he said. Ava could only stare at him.

“You know what, James? You like placing yourself above Zane, calling him a criminal. But never once has he treated me like an object or had the idea to rent me out so he can make a quick buck,” she hissed at him.

“Oh, get over yourself Ava, just do what I tell you to do,” James told her. He reached out to grab her arm, and she took a step back. Before his hand could reach her, another hand took a firm grip around his wrist. Ava felt relief flood her system as she saw Zane standing there, looking like he was about to murder James.

“What do you think you are doing?” he asked James in a low voice which sent shiver of pleasure down Avas spine.

“Let go of me,” James told him.

“You tried to grab what is mine. I don’t allow anyone to do that, especially a lowlife like you,” Zane told him. He glanced in Mr. Cleaso’s direction. The man was engrossed in his phone and hadn’t noticed what was going on. Ava walked up to Zane and put a hand on his arm. He looked at her.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you for stepping in,” Ava said. She wasn’t going to tell him what James had suggested, not now, at least. She suspected James would end up dead in a bathroom before the night was over if she did. Zane let go of James’ wrist and placed his arm around Ava’s waist. James rubbed his wrist and glared at Zane.

“Do you know how much my hands are worth? I’m a surgeon,” he said in a voice that was full of rage.

“Fuck if I care. You try to place your hand on Ava ever again, and I’ll break every bone in both your hands. I hear there are many. You can tell me their names as I break them,” Zane told him. Before James had a chance to retort, Mr Cleaso looked up from his phone.

“Sorry about that, business. I can’t even get a night off,” he said.

“That is alright. Marcus, this is my boss, Mr. Velky. Zane, this is Mr. Cleaso. He is a donator to the hospital I used to work at,” Ava introduced them.

“Nice to meet you,” Zane said, holding out his hand. Mr. Cleaso took it and they shook hands.

“The same. I have heard interesting things about you,” Mr. Cleaso told him.

“Really, that sounds dangerous,” Zane said. The two men fell into a discussion about business, and Ava relaxed. James just stood by the side, not included in the conversation and not able to talk to Ava as Zane kept himself between them. After a while, Zane and Mr. Cleaso exchanged business cards and Mr. Cleaso gave a couple of compliments to Ava before they parted way. Zane ignored James and kissed Ava’s cheek.

“Come with me,” he told her and walked towards the back of the room. For once, Ava felt no need to be polite and say goodbye to James. She followed Zane’s example and ignored him, leaving him standing alone.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“What did he tell you? Just before I got there, that idiot said something to you that had you looking pale as a sheet. What did he say?” Zane asked as he guided her through the crowd of people.

“I’m not going to tell you until we get home,” she told him. He swore.

“That bad? I will kill him,” he hissed.

“No, you won’t, not here. You and Jax have made good progress. Don’t ruin it over him. He is definitely not worth it.”

“Angel, tell me what he told you.”

“Ask me again when we get home.”

“Do you think I care for one fucking second what these people think about me? I will burn it all to the ground if they test me,” he told her.

“I know,” she said. Zane had led Ava out into a corridor which was deserted. She wondered what they were doing there as they walked around a ninety-degree corner. Then Ava found herself pressed up against the wall, Zane’s body pressed up against hers and his lips hungerly pressing against hers.