Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 40

stared at him, genuinely shocked by his nonchalance. I felt embarrassed, but most of all, I felt really weak. “Then why did you bring me here?” I snapped. “If you were hungry, I’m sure you’re capable of eating by yourself.”

“I am,” he nodded, leaning back in his chair.

I gritted my teeth, trying my best to hold it together and not cause a scene. “I was headed home with someone else, Alvise,” I said, glaring at him. “You had no right to just force me out of his car.”

Out of everything I’d said since the beginning of the conversation, that seemed to be what got his attention. His eyes hardened, and a muscle in his jaw ticked twice. “And you seem to have this crazy belief that you can tell me what to do.”

“If it involves me, I can,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

“Except you don’t,” he said calmly, but there was nothing calm in his tone. “And I would advise you to watch that fucking mouth.”

“Mr. Valerio,” I said, my tone bitter, “you want me to watch my tongue around you all the time! But why don’t you watch yours?” My heart thundered in my chest, my legs almost shaking under the table, but I fought hard to keep calm. I wasn’t going to cower in his presence now. “You speak to me in the harshest of ways… and I put up with that… I try.” I took a deep breath and exhaled, stopping my voice from shaking. “But ridiculing me at my workplace is just something I cannot put up with.”

He watched me, his eyes searching my face for a long time. “Then quit,” Alvise replied, his voice hard.

I furrowed my brows, hurt and confused. “Excuse me?”

“If you can’t put up with it…” He stroked his chin casually. “Quit.”

“Is that what you want me to do?” I asked bitterly. “Quit?”

He leaned forward, placing both hands on the table. “I don’t care what you want to do.” His tone was serious and firm, relaying the truth in his words. “I couldn’t care less.”

I sat still, genuinely surprised and hurt by his coldness and nonchalance, by the way he made it clear that I wasn’t a thought in his head..

Alvise raised a brow. “What do you think this is?” he asked, searching my face.

“What?” I snapped coldly.

He was unbothered by my tone. “Were you expecting some sort of special treatment? That I would treat you any better than the other employees?”

My face fell as I watched him, his blue eyes staring straight into me like he could read my thoughts. “No!” I snapped. “I don’t expect anything from you, Alvise.”

He shrugged, unbothered, and relaxed into his chair. “So, what the fuck is this drama about?” he asked. “Did you think you were going to come late to the meeting and I’d say nothing about it?” He shook his head once. “No, Miss Whitmore. That wasn’t going to happen.”

Cassie patted my hands playfully. “I came with my brother. Do you want to go say hi?”

I shook my head. “Oh, sorry, I can’t.” I gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m kind of in a rush right now. But, send my regards to him!” I’d not really seen Fred much since his relationship with Sierra ended, so it would be weird. And right now, I wasn’t in the mood to to put myself through any uncomfortable situation.

Cassie pouted and hugged me one more time. “Okay! I’ll catch you later!”

She turned to rush back into the restaurant but almost bumped into Alvise, who was exiting. Cassie mumbled an apology nervously, but he ignored her, his attention on me as he walked toward me, his hands tucked into his pockets.

His eyes bored into mine as he came to a stop right in front of me, his scent enveloping me all over again. I raised my head to meet his gaze. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be eating?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“I’ll take you home,” he said, then he grabbed my hand and gently tugged me toward his car. I was distracted for a second as I caught sight of Cassie still watching us from the restaurant entrance, but then she turned around and rushed back inside.

Alvise used my moment of confusion to successfully pull me toward his car before opening the door. Back to my senses, I yanked my hand away from his, ignoring the bolts of electricity his touch sent through me. “I’m not going anywhere with you!” I said, folding my arms. “You don’t take any of my coworkers home, so don’t do the same for me.”

Alvise narrowed his eyes and took a step closer and lowered his head until his breath fanned my face. “I’ve also not fucked any of your coworkers,” he said, his voice stern and firm. “So get inside the fucking car, Arabella.”