Billionaires Confusion: Love Hurts, #4

By Tilly Muir

Why are the most important things the hardest to say?. Love Hurts!

Daniel wants to protect Ashley from everything, but his family has very different plans for him. He could not imagine his life without her, but so many obstacles are being put in their way… Maybe too many.

Ashley knows she will never be able to compete with the sort of women vying for Daniels attention. Should she even bother trying?

Why must love be so confusing and painful?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tilly Muir
• Release date: Mar 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386081906

Tilly Muir

Tilly Muir is a romance writer and avid reader of all types of books, fiction and non-fiction. Her books are short romance stories and always end with a happy ever after… Eventually! When she is not writing you will find her running around after her husband or cocker spaniels.

Book preview

One

The most important thing in this world is to learn to give out love and let it come in. - Morrie Schwartz

Daniel...

Daniel roamed around the ballroom, how the hell did he explain this to Ashley. And where was she, he had searched all over, but no sign of her. He made his way to the bar.

Give me a scotch.

What type. The bartender smiled. We have several........

I don't care what type, just give me a goddam scotch. No sooner had the amber liquid hit the bottom of the tumbler he whipped it from the bartender’s hand and drained it.

He watched Ryan approach, he was practically running, concern etched on his face. Perhaps their parents had given him a talking to as well! He came to a halt in front of him, his hand reaching out and gripping Daniel's shoulder.

We need to go now. His eyes did not reach Daniel's.

Too right we need to go, but I need to find Ashley first. He scanned the room again. I can't find her anywhere.

Ryan took a deep breath. That is why we need to go; we need to follow Ash.

His brow furrowed. What are you talking about?

Ryan started moving towards the door, pulling Daniel with him. I'll explain on the way; we need to move NOW.

He sensed Ryan's concern and automatically quickened his step, allowing Ryan to move faster. By the time they reached the entrance hall they were running. Patrick and Tom were waiting outside the door, the engine revving. As soon as they jumped into the back seat the car took off.

He turned to face Ryan. Where are we going, where is Ashley? He rubbed his hand along his thigh.

Ryan met his gaze, his eyes calculating. She left a short while ago, security notified us after she went through the gate.

What the fuck, why had she left? He glared at Tom. You should be with her?

Tom's face turned scarlet, but Ryan saved him from answering. Don't take it out on him, you were supposed to be here for the night, nobody expected her to run out.

His head turned back to Ryan. What do you mean... run out?

The staff in the entrance confirmed she ran straight out the door, didn't collect her coat.

What was going on, why would she leave without talking to him. He yanked his phone from his pocket, calling up her number.

No good, she hasn't got her phone switched on, we've already tried. We can find her; we’re following the tracker on her car. Ryan swallowed. But, there is something else you need to know.

He had not seen Ryan like this before, he sensed it would be something he did not want to hear. A bead of sweat ran down his brow, it struck him as odd on such a cold night, he nodded to his brother to continue.

She's being followed.... Cody is following her.

You have got to be fucking joking. His eyes widened, how he would love to see his brothers face break into a smile, but no. He slammed his fist into his palm. How did this happen; you were following him. He spat the words at Ryan.

We were aware he followed you to the party, but there was no way he could get into the house. Security knew he was outside; they were on alert if he tried anything. She was safe in the house. He rubbed his temple. He didn't leave immediately after her, so we don't know for sure he caught up with her.

When Ryan spoke his voice was so cool and in command, he quite envied him being able to stay so remote. He reminded himself, his brother was a SEAL, he knows how to handle these situations. Could this night get any worse, after the argument with his parents he just wanted to escape with Ashley and forget about them. His eyes closed as his head rolled back, a wave of nausea rolling through his stomach, nothing must happen to her, he promised to protect her. A slight pressure on his knee, brought him back to his senses, his eyes focused on Ryan's hand then shifted to his face.

She's going to be fine, we're gaining on her....

She's stopped, Tom called out, his eyes scanning the screen in front of him. It appears to be a motel. He gave directions to Patrick.

Daniel sat forward. Why would she stop at a motel; can you tell if he is behind her?

We can't tell; we can only track her car. Ryan turned to Tom. How far away are we?

About ten minutes.

Daniel gripped the edge of the driver’s seat. Faster Patrick, put your damn foot down. He had to get to her, she was his. The thought of Cody touching her turned his blood to ice.

Two

W h... What are you doing here? Ashley caressed the heart charm on her bracelet. You need to leave; you shouldn't be here. How did you find me? What do you want? What are you going to do? Her voice rose in pitch with each question.

His mouth straightened into a hard line. Looks like you were lying to me. You seem real cozy with your rich boyfriend again. He stared down at her, his eyes cold. Did you really think I would not be able to get to you again? You need to do a lot more than simply changing your phone number to get rid of me. You and I have a connection, that is never going to change.

A wave of anger shot through her, how dare he talk as if he owned her. He was nothing, she did not need to listen to this, she needed to get out of the room, away from him. She stood slowly and took a step towards him. Danny will never give you any money, he knows all about you. She breathed in a deep steadying breath. You don't scare him.

He gave an evil snort. Pah, I don't see your precious Danny here, trying to help you. And for the record, he doesn't scare me either. His eyes narrowed. We'll see just how much money he is prepared to give me.

All color drained from her face as she stared at the door. What are you going to do.? She shuffled towards the door. Oww... That hurts. His grip on her upper arm was vice like.

You're not going anywhere. He grabbed her other arm and physically lifted her and threw her back on the bed. You are staying with me, until I receive a lot of money.

No, this cannot be happening to her, why did she run away? An even more terrifying realization washed over her, nobody knew where she was. Her eyes flew around the room, searching for anything that could help her. She zeroed in on the telephone, just out of her reach, but maybe if she shifted up the bed a bit.

Making yourself comfortable? His eyes raked over her body. This brings back some memories. You, me and a bed, perhaps we should have a replay.

A cold shudder spread through her as her memory propelled her back to that fateful day. The room was so quiet, the only sound, the pounding of her heart in her chest. Thank god she was sitting on the bed; her legs were like jelly. When she spoke her voice was barely a whisper. Please. Please don't touch me. The bed moved as he knelt beside her, his arms pushing her back forcefully. The lustful glint in his eye causing tears to pool in her own.

He swung his leg over her body and sat astride her, pinning her to the bed. Her body stiffened in shock.

"I'm intrigued to