Sierra
What is he doing here? How did he know where I was?
“What are you doing here, Ambrose?” I snap and glare at him.
“Let’s go. You know why I am here.” He replies bluntly.
“No. I am enjoying time with my new friends.”
Ambrose draws in a breath, and his jaw tightens. What has he got to be mad at? He is the one trying to ruin my fun.
“No, we are leaving.”
One of the guys I am with, Percy, I believe his name is, gets to his feet. “She said she doesn’t want to leave." He hisses.
Ambrose turns his attention to him. If looks could kill, he would be a dead man. Ambrose steps closer to him. Percy’s shoulders slump, and any confidence he has disappears. There is something about Ambrose's stare that even causes a shiver to run through me.
“This is none of your business. Sit your ass down, little boy,” Ambrose warns.
He does as he is told. I can see Percy’s friends tensing, not looking happy with Ambrose talking to their friend in such a way. Ambrose does realize there are four of them and one of him, right?
Ambrose slams his hands on the table, looking at each of them. “Don’t even think about it. I will knock all of you on your asses before you can have a chance to get one hit in,” he snarls, not backing down at all.
He really doesn’t have any fear, does he? They soon change their minds and back off.
“It is time to go. Don’t make me toss you over my shoulder and carry you out, sweetness.”
He isn’t asking. He is telling. And who the f**k is he calling sweetness?
I groan and toss my hands in the air, “Fine.”
I don’t want him causing any trouble. He has embarrassed me enough. I down the rest of my drink and jump to my feet.
Juliet reaches for my hand and looks concerned, “You don’t have to go.”
“I will be fine. I promise. He is a friend of my father, nothing to worry about,” I reply with a smile.
I don’t want her worrying about me. Yes, Ambrose is a bastard, but he wouldn’t hurt me.
“Okay, text me later.” She says.
“I will. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
I say goodbye to everyone and storm off in front of Ambrose. He is quick to catch up. He rests his hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards his car. He opens the door to allow me to climb in and closes it behind me. He soon climbs into.
“There was no need for you to embarrass me like that, Ambrose. How did you know where to find me?”
The annoyance is clear in my voice.
“Then you shouldn’t have disappeared alone and without telling me where you were going. Anything could have happened to you.”
I don’t see the big deal. I was out with some friends. It wasn’t like something would happen to me in a crowded public bar.
“There is a tracker in your cell.”
“What? What right do you have to invade my privacy like that?” I snap and fight the urge to slap him.
“How else am I supposed to make sure you are safe?”
“Not by doing that. I want it off.” I demand.
“No. It stays. You can yell and hate me all you want, but it won’t change anything.” He replies firmly.
How long do I need to put up with this bullshit? I wish my dad had taken me with him. Anywhere is better than staying with Ambrose. God help the woman who marries his crazy, possessive ass. Then again, I don’t think he will ever get married. I am sure my father could have found someone else for me to stay with him. I shake my head and stare out of the window. I swear, I would be happier in an actual prison. I would have more freedom.
The rest of the ride is silent. The second we arrive, and the car comes to a stop, I climb out and rush inside. As I enter, I am met with the guy from the photo Ambrose sent me this morning.
“So you are the one who has the boss up to high doze?” he asks.
“Yes, that is me. I am Sierra. I hope I didn’t get you into trouble, Wade?” I say innocently.
He chuckles, “We will find out soon enough.”
“I am sorry if I do.”
I mean it. I don’t have an issue with Wade, only his boss. I disappear upstairs. I jump in a quick shower and change into shorts and a tee, something more comfortable. I need food. I haven’t had anything since breakfast. I am sure I can find something. I head down to the kitchen.
I run into Wade on the way. There is no sign of Ambrose.
“Where is he?” I ask.
“In his home office. He has some meetings.”
“Oh, so you are here to babysit me?”
“Yes, ma’am. I have been warned that you are a flight risk.” He laughs.
I roll my eyes. “And Ambrose is a drama queen. Would you like something to eat?”
He shakes his head, “No, ma’am. I will have dinner with my wife when I return home.”
“Okay. Will you at least have a coffee with me and keep me company while I eat?”
Any company is better than Ambrose. Wade seems like a nice guy. He is hesitant but nods. I smile brightly, and we go to the kitchen. I make coffee for each of us and toss a salad together for me. I settle down at the breakfast bar across from Wade.
“Have you been married long? How long have you worked from Ambrose?”
It must be insufferable working for him.
“I have been married for four years. I have worked for Ambrose for six years.”
“What has he told you about my situation?”
“Everything I need to know.”
I am sure he knows more than I do.
“More than me.” I sigh.
“I am sure they have kept some details from you because it is better that way,” he says softly.
I shrug. “Maybe.”
I play with my food before finally eating it. Wade changes the topic of conversation to something more light-hearted.
“Can you not protect me rather than him? I actually like you.” I snicker.
Wade doesn’t get a chance to answer because he is rudely interrupted.
“No, so get over it,” Ambrose says as he enters the kitchen.
“I wasn’t talking to you, asshole.”
Wade seems surprised by my reaction. I know why. No one ever stands up to Ambrose, and that is why he has a God complex. He thinks he is at the top of the food chain. Not to me. I refuse to allow him to treat me the way he treats everyone else, like I am beneath him.
“Wade, you are dismissed. I will be in touch tomorrow with your next orders.”
He remains emotionless, even when speaking with the man who has worked for him for six years. He should show him some damn respect.
“Yes, sir. Sierra, it was a pleasure to meet you. I will see you soon.” Wade smiles.
“You too, Wade. Thank you for keeping me company. Enjoy the rest of your night.” I reply and smile back.
He nods and leaves. I wish he could take me with him. I focus on my food and ignore Ambrose.
“You can be nice then?” Ambrose says, getting himself a coffee and sits across from me.
“Yes, to people who I like and who are nice to me.”
“A list I am not on?”
“You will never be on that list,” I answer.
“It doesn’t matter because I really don’t care.”
If he doesn’t care, why bring it up? I finish my salad, clean up and walk away without saying another word to him. I have studying to do. I settle down on the bed, laying everything out that I need. I put my earphones in and started playing my study playlist.
It isn’t easy to concentrate because I keep thinking of my father. He wouldn’t want me to fall behind in my studies. It took me a few years to decide to go to university. I need to focus and make him proud for when he returns.
The tears begin, and I quickly wipe them away. I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths and get to work. Ambrose had better stay away for the rest of the night. I have had enough of him for one day. I have a full shift tomorrow, so I won’t need to deal with him. I am sure he will have security stationed outside my workplace for the entire shift.