Betrothed To An Alpha? I Don't Think So!
Chapter 17: Do. Not. Interfere

Chapter 17: Do. Not. Interfere

"Now take your hands off me," Evelyn demanded.

Preston’s shoulders bounced in quick enraged breathing. He lowered his gaze to the floor, chuckling under his breath. "A simple will, and all of a sudden, you think you mean anything." He shook his head. "You don’t get it, Evelyn, do you? You are nothing more than a stepping stone for me, Brandon, and Lyra. That is your only purpose in life, to be beneath us, never amounting to a thing."

A cruel grin tugged at his lips.

"Keep running your mouth, keep testing me, Evelyn. But don’t forget who I am, the kind of person I am. Don’t think that you can just take what’s mine and I’ll let you get away with it. I’ll do anything, and I mean anything, Evelyn. Don’t play this game with me."

And he let go of her, turning and storming off with fists balled so much his knuckles turned white.

Evelyn breathed out softly, reaching and rubbing around her neck.

"Happy now, Dad?" she muttered to herself. "Everyone’s after my life because of your stupid corporation. Why did you have to go and give it to me? You’ve never even cared for me. What was the point? Now, I feel like if I give up, you’d be wherever you are, shaking your head in disappointment, looking at me with that expression on your face as if I’ve failed and disappointed you time and time again."

Her fingers roughly brushed through the dark strands of her hair, and she turned, pausing at the man who stood in front of her.

Lincoln. Her uncle.

He was staring at her with that cold look in his green eyes, hands pocketed in his slacks.

She swallowed, unsure why.

"What?" she asked, balling her hands by her side.

Of all people to inherit something from, it had to be him and not even her own father. At least she looked like her mother, but still. The man looked more like her father than her own biological dad did.

"Give the corporation to Preston," the man said.

Evelyn frowned at him. "What?"

"Give it to Preston."

"Respectfully, uncle, that’s left for me to decide. You’re free to side and stand with Preston all you like, but the decision is mine, and if I say no, then it’s a no."

"Do you understand what you’re doing?" Lincoln questioned, taking a step forward. "Preston will do anything to have what he wants and you are playing with fire, girl."

His eyes grew colder. "Marcella was right. This is no place for you. You have no idea what you’re getting into and—"

"Please, excuse me, uncle," Evelyn cut him short, walking past him to leave.

He grasped her arm. "Let the corporation go. It’s for your own—"

"Let go of me." She glared at him, expression painted with annoyance. "This is none of your business, and stop acting like you care for me, please. If you’re trying to make things easier for Preston, it’s not going to work."

The man’s eyes widened just a tad bit, barely noticeable, but he let go, watching as she stormed off.

....

Zayne leaned off the wall, hands in the pocket of his coat. The elevator had just chimed open, and Evelyn walked out.

She held a pissed-off look, but when she made eye contact with him, it was as if the displeasure hadn’t been there in the first place.

"Hey, peacock!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, glancing around for anyone looking.

Could she stop with the weird name?

She smiled at him, hurrying on her feet towards him.

He lowered his gaze and cocked his brow at the grip mark around her neck. "Who did that to you?" He touched her skin, tracing the mark softly with his fingers.

Evelyn smiled awkwardly, blowing a small breath at his touch. "It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it."

"Aren’t you—"

"I must go shopping, and you’re coming with me."

He frowned. "Why do I need to come with you?"

"Because you’ll protect me?" she said it to him like it was obvious. "What if I go out there and don’t return to you? Come with me."

She interlocked her arm with his but didn’t walk off. Instead, she extended her palm to him.

"What?" Zayne asked.

"Your credit card."

"What about my credit card?"

She stepped over to stand in front of him. "I thought I was your betrothed? Should I go shopping with my own credit card? Wow, Zayne, just wow." She shook her head, clicking her tongue.

"You little—" His words stopped short and he lowered his head, biting down the grin that tugged at his lips. "Fine," he said, taking out the card in his pocket. "Do whatever you want."

"I can buy whatever I want?"

"It’s a black card." Zayne’s soft brows dipped. "And how much could you even spend?"

Evelyn bit her lip. Then a slow smile slowly emerged, before she began cackling like a little demon. "Don’t underestimate me, Mr. Mancini."

She snatched his hand and began to walk off, dragging him along with her.

From one of the floor-length windows of the company, Preston stood, watching them with hands clasped behind his back.

"Did you try to kill her?"

The sudden questioning voice behind him made him turn. "And what is the meaning of your question, Uncle?"

Lincoln balled his hands by his side. "Answer me, Preston."

Preston smirked. Then he took steps towards the middle-aged man. "Who do you think you are, stepping into my office and questioning me however you please?"

"Preston—"

"You are nothing in this family and you should stick to doing what you are told," he shut him up. "Don’t make me angrier than I already am, Uncle. I don’t think you want to see the consequences of that. Remember, I’m the reason you are still a part of this family."

"Of course I know that. But we never had an agreement that you would hurt—"

"Agreement?" Preston laughed in his face. "Do you really think you have a say? Take a look at yourself, are you worth anything?"

Lincoln was calm.

"You’re not. And it’s all your fault things are this way." He stepped into his space, whispering in the cruelest of tones. "You better stay in your line and mind your tongue. I don’t think you want me to put you out there and expose your big secret, do you?"

"Preston!—"

"Keep yourself out of all this and just do as you’re told."

"I will," Lincoln said. "But you can’t hurt her. I will change her mind and I’ll get her to give the corporation to you. Time is what I need."

"Awww." Preston laughed.

"To be honest, I wasn’t the one who tried to kill her," he said, walking back to his desk. "But to your request? My answer is no. I will handle Evelyn how I see fit."

"Do. Not. Interfere," he warned.