Ambushed by M.E. McAndrews
Chapter 15
Austin
the crisp morning air carrying with it the faint scent of freshly fallen dew. The sky is a deep shade of blue, gradually changing to bright orange as the sun rises higher in the sky. The trees are silhouetted against the horizon, and an aura of stillness and peace wraps the house. Yet, despite the tranquil atmosphere, my mind is alive with thoughts of her.
It’s almost five o’clock in the morning. Poor thing probably didn’t get any sleep last night. A ghost of a grin tugs at my lips as I recall that the music didn’t get turned off until three in the morning.
Good.
I traipse up the steps to the front door. It's time to set my plan in motion. I pound on the door.
I wait a moment, Then I pound again. This time, harder. The sound echoes through the yard.
“One second,” her scratchy voice calls out from the other side of the door.
The shuffling of footsteps comes from inside as Olivia makes her way to the door. When she opens it, she looks tired, her hair disheveled, and her eyes bleary. She rubs her face and closes her eyes for a moment before eyeing me.
“What the hell?”
“Sorry, did I wake you up?” I ask.
A terrible scowl forms on her lips.
Before I can speak another word, she pushes the door, attempting to slam it in my face. But I am quick. My hand shoots out to stop it. I push back against the door, forcing it open. “Can I come in?” I ask, my voice firm. “I need to talk to you.”
Olivia shakes her head, her eyes blazing with anger. “No,” she says. “I don't want to talk to you. Not now, not ever.”
I frown, examining the interior of her house. I can't help but observe the state of the place, but I’m not surprised. The inside doesn’t look any better than the outside. The interior paint is peeling, and matches the rotting wood, the sagging roof, and the boarded-up windows of the exterior. The yard is overgrown with weeds and shrubs choking out what once might have been a beautiful garden. This house is clearly falling apart, a shadow of its former self. It's a shame, really. It must have been a wonderful home at one point, but now it's a teardown sitting on my ideal plot of land.
“You know, you really should take better care of this place,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “It's a dump.”
Olivia's eyes narrow, her hands tightening into fists. “Get out of here, Austin,” she says, her voice low and dangerous. “Just leave me alone.” She pushes against the door, trying to shut it, but I'm much stronger than her.
“I don't want to see you here.”
“Don't be so rude.”
“You want rude?” She replies. “How about Fuck you?” She struggles once again, pressing against the door with all of her tiny frame, but I stand my ground and keep my hand on the door, my eyes locked on hers.
“I'm not leaving until we talk,” I say. “You know I don't give up so easily.”
“I don't care,” she spits, gritting her teeth. “There's nothing you can say that will make me change my mind. Just go.”
“Fine. This is the last time I'll do you a favor, Olivia.”
“Favor my ass.”
I push forward, forcing the door open, watching her as she tries to stop me, but it's too late. I have the control, and step into her house, closing the door behind me. I shrug and hold my hands up in a sign of surrender. “I know you don't want to talk, but I'm not leaving until you hear me out,” I say, my voice calm.
She glares at me and I can tell she wants to lash back. But she knows I'm right, so she stands there, silently fuming.
“Make it fast,” she snaps. I watch as she turns her back to me and walks toward the kitchen. I can't help but watch the way her body moves, her hips swaying. She's quite beautiful, in her own way. When I first met her, I was certain that I'd want to fuck her. But time has taught me better. I was wrong. So very wrong.
I take one last glance around the room. There is an old couch in the corner, and an armchair next to it. Several books sit on the wooden coffee table, along with a few pieces of cheesy art and a lamp. The air is stuffy and smells of must.
It's a mess, just like the rest of her life.
I follow her to the kitchen. When I reach her, she's sitting at the table, a half-empty cup of coffee in front of her. She doesn’t look up when I enter the room. She looks so pathetic, sitting there. I almost feel sorry for the poor thing.
“What do you want Austin?”
I meander to the coffeemaker, rummaging through the cabinets until I find a lone coffee mug with stains and a chipped edge. It's got something about being World’s Best Husband. She really is a sap, isn't she?
I pour myself a cup of coffee and take a sip. Damn, she likes this shit strong.
“I have something for you.” I reach into my pocket, pulling out a check and holding it out to her. “Take it,” I say, my voice confident. “This will all be over. No more fighting, no more arguing. Just take the damn check.”
“What's this?” Her eyes flicker down to it, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
“It's for the house. And the property. All you have to do is sign a few papers, and it's yours. We'll both be rid of each other, and life can go back to normal.”
She looks at the check, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“Are you serious?” she asks, her voice incredulous.
“Dead serious. Just take the money, Livvy. You'll be set for life. No more worrying about bills, no more struggling to make ends meet.”
But she doesn't take the check. Instead, she crumples it up and throws it at me. “I don't want your money,” she says, her voice full of anger. “There's no way you can buy me off like that.”
It's almost a turn on, seeing her get riled. What she needs is to get laid. Maybe she'll chill out then. But as I take in her disgruntled expression, her hands on her hips, I'm reminded of why she's such a major turn off for me. Her sharp tongue, her quick temper, the way she always seems to be so indignant.
“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice rising. “I'm offering you a life-changing amount of money. What more could you want?”
“I don't want anything from you,” she says, her eyes flashing with determination. “I don't want your money; I don't want your pity. I just want you to get out of my house!”
“Enough with the drama,” I say, raising my voice. “Take the damn money, Olivia. Just do it. Take it before your life becomes a living hell.”
“Is that a threat?” she asks, her eyes narrow.
“Of course not.”
“Then what is it?”
“It's more like advice. Or a warning,” I say, meandering toward her. “You need to be smart, Olivia.”
She shakes her head, her eyes blazing with anger. “You know what you need, Austin? To take your money and shove it up your ass.”
As childish as it is, I can't help but be pleased when she says that. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You just don't understand how things work, do you, Olivia?”
“If I were you, I'd get the hell out of this house. Right now.”
I tower over her frame, staring down at her. Her anger is getting the better of her, and I'm loving every minute of it. “Or what?” I ask, my lips turning up into a smile. “You'll hurt me?”
She shoves me hard, her hands on my chest. I stagger backward, reeling from the strength of her blow. She may be tiny, but she’s stronger than she looks. But she really doesn't realize who she's messing with. I won't put up with this kind of treatment. Not anymore. I can't.
I reach out and grab her by the wrist, stopping her from doing something she might regret. Then I look her in the eye, my voice low and determined. “Olivia,” I say in warning. “This is the last time I'm going to offer you this deal. So, decide. The money or a living hell. Your choice.”
She struggles visibly; her face growing pale as her limbs tremble.
“Why are you doing this to me?” she whimpers softly.
“I told you. I always get what I want.”
“You don't scare me.”
“That's too bad. I thought you were smarter than that.”
“Let go of me, Austin.” She pulls again, and this time I let go.
“Thanks for the coffee, Livvy.” I put down the chipped mug and turn toward the door, stopping to turn back and face her. “Hope you have a wonderful day at work.”
“Screw you.”
“We could negotiate that, too.” I flash her a smile and wink as I turn and walk out the door.