Chapter 63

Angeline’s POV

I’ve been laying groundwork with Thorne all week, since his little assistant hasn’t been in the office to interrupt us. However, all my efforts have been in vain because he’s barely acknowledging my attempts to flirt tonight.

The platonic conversation is dry and not at all what I wanted. I glance at Ivy, who nods encouragingly.

Reaching out, I lay my hand on Thorne’s thigh, like I used to do. Most men can’t resist the touch of a beautiful woman, but to my surprise, Thorne brushes my hand off.

“Thorne, do you remember when we went to the beach and ended up stuck in that little storm shack,” I laugh. “It’s one of my favorite memories of when we were together. Even though we couldn’t get back to our bed, the storm didn’t keep us from having a good time.”

I slide my hand up Thorne’s side, leaning in and whispering in his ear, “We could have even more fun tonight.”

A rumbling growl rises from Thorne’s chest, and I pull back sharply. He’d never growled at me with such a dark, threatening aura before.

“Thorne!” Ivy gasps, her eyes wide with surprise. “Don’t treat Angeline like that! What is wrong with you?”

Thorne glances at his sister then at me before standing and clearing his throat, “I’d rather not be groped while I try to enjoy my dinner, so I will be leaving now. Ivy, we can eat together another time without the…” he glances at me and continues, “Distractions.”

Then, without giving any room for argument or protest, Thorne turns and leaves.

“Ivy!” I hiss, “What the hell is going on?”

Ivy glares at her brother’s retreating form before she turns to look at me, “He has a lover. That’s why he isn’t accepting your affection.”

“What? Since when?”

Jackson leans in, setting his glass down and speaking, “He’s been fucking with his assistant, my ex-girlfriend.”

“The human? I can’t believe that.”

“Believe it,” Ivy says with a roll of her eyes. “My brother is letting that leach seduce him and suck him dry. She somehow convinced him to let her live in his vacation house for free, and I think she even got her job because they’re sleeping together. If you want to blame someone for stealing Thorne away, you should blame Aurora.”

Everything that’s been going wrong since I returned is that human’s fault.

“Aurora is a classic gold digger,” Jackson says. “I would know because before she went after Thorne, she was with me. She goes after men with status and money.”

“And she has no shame,” Ivy adds, “She takes the men’s money and then leaves them when she has no more use for them. It’s awful, and Jackson is lucky he caught onto her tricks before she bled him dry.”

Jackson nods in agreement, and my anger rises. Humans aren’t all bad, but from the sound of this woman, she’s vile and bold. I didn’t expect it, since the two times I saw her, the human seemed kind and quiet.

However, some people are good at hiding their true selves.

“I won’t let this continue,” I tell my friends. “Aurora needs to be put in her place and reminded that Thorne is mine.”

Aurora’s POV

Sighing, I hang the phone up and lean back in my chair. I’ve finally finished the last bit of Ivy’s tasks, which I feel I shouldn’t have had to do. Though, I didn’t want to cause trouble, especially now that she’s in an irritated mood.

When she slapped the wedding to-do list on my desk earlier, I was surprised. She hasn’t talked to me in several days, so I thought she forgot. Clearly not.

“Finish all of these before lunch,” she had ordered. I had to complete the tasks between the little jobs Thorne has been giving me, but luckily, calling the florist and bakery weren’t hard tasks. Now, everything is scheduled to be delivered to the venue on the day of the wedding, and it’s just in time for lunch, too.

Before anyone can give me another task, I grab my lunch and head down to the lunch room. I’m still not sure if Ivy is using me as her personal mule because she dislikes me or if she just likes ordering me around. It’s probably both.

I’m nearly to the cafeteria when a loud, screeching voice shouts.

“You! Human!”

Turning, I come face to face with Angeline. Her face is pinched in an angry expression, and I immediately turn to get away from her. I don’t need to read her mind to understand why she’s mad at me. I’m sure it has something to do with Thorne and how he left dinner early last night to come check on me. Though, he didn’t stay, which was a little upsetting.

“I didn’t say you could leave,” Angeline hisses, grabbing my arm and hauling me back. Her surprising strength makes me stumble and drop my lunch. I struggle against her hold, but it does nothing to stop her from dragging me into a side hallway.

No one else notices, and once we’re in the hallway, we’re alone.

“Stay away from my man,” she growls. “Thorne is still mine. We may be going through a little rough patch right now, but I will get him back. Our two years together is so much more than whatever little fling you two have going on.”

I try to walk away, but she shoves me into the wall. Pain splinters in the back of my shoulders as I collide with the solid structure.

Angeline scoffs, her eyes running up and down my body before she speaks again, “Why would Thorne want meat scraps when he could have a steak?”

Her arrogant attitude is incredibly frustrating and annoying, and I snap.

“Steak? What are you, a cow?”

Angeline gasps, and it sends a little sliver of satisfaction into me, which in turn gives me confidence to continue, “Try touching grass every now and then to get a reality check, lady. I don’t care about you, and you need to stay out of my business. What’s going on between Thorne and I isn’t your concern. I suggest you worry about yourself and spend time reflecting on what caused you to lose your relationship.”

“How dare you—”

I lift a hand to stop her, “No, I’m not here to be your personal punching bag. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what you say to me because you have no power or value in my life.”

Angeline’s eyes might just pop out of her head if they get any bigger.

“I… You… You…” She stammers, no words really coming out.

I tilt my head to the side, look her up and down, and chuckle.

“Stay out of my relationship with Thorne, and we won’t have any problems here. If you don’t… well, you might get a reality check that isn’t as nice as merely touching grass.”

Leaning down, I scoop up my battered lunch and walk away with my head held high. I’m not sure what the consequences will be for offending Angeline, but it sure felt great to stand up for myself.

I need to channel my inner bitch more often.