Chapter 270 Rule Number One
Ella
The sunlight filtering through my office window bathed the mahogany desk in a soft golden hue. As I perused the documents in front of me, the weight of my current circumstances pressed on me like an unwelcome shroud. I could feel my wolf also getting alert to the situation.
How did I get embroiled with the mafia, and more importantly, how could I extricate myself without causing further complications? “No way,” I said, shaking my head. “I won’t be going to a family event with you. Not so… soon.”
Logan’s blue eyes narrowed. “It’s not really up for debate, unfortunately,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. “Did you think that only you would benefit from the deal?”
“Well, no, but-”
“But nothing,” Logan interrupted. His voice was firm, but not angry. “Sorry, Ella, but you need to come. I’m not asking. I’m telling you that we have to go. Besides, I already agreed on your behalf.”
I couldn’t help but frown. Attending a family dinner with Logan’s clan made me nervous, not only for my physical safety, but for the implications. If my parents found out, they would never forgive me.
“Fine,” I finally said, letting out a deep sigh as 1 lowered my gaze down to the documents spread out before me. “Let’s just… get to work.”
Over the next two hours, we delved deep into the intricacies of the case. To my surprise, Logan came prepared. He handed over evidence after evidence, making it easier to build a formidable defense.
“You’ve been busy,” I remarked, impressed despite my reservations. “I always make sure to be prepared, especially when dealing with people like Mr. Henderson.”
I looked over the documents one last time and realized that the case was much simpler than I had anticipated.
“Alright, Logan,” I said after some contemplation, standing and shuffling the papers together into a neat pile. “Come back next week. We’ll finalize everything, and after that, we can meet with the opposing counsel to negotiate. This should be wrapped up rather quickly.”
He blinked in surprise. “So fast?”
I smirked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s a straightforward case, believe it or not. I know you probably thought you could get away with keeping me on the hook with legal matters for a while, but it looks like you’ll need to find me more cases if that was your goal.”
A smile curved his lips, his gaze softening. “You’re quite the professional, Ella. Charming too, in your own legalistic way.”
Chuckling, I collected the paperwork, carefully placing them into a folder. “Well, our meeting is done. You can leave now.” He frowned slightly. “I was going to pick you up later.”
I raised an eyebrow, curious. “Why’s that?” I asked. “You know we don’t need to see each other during our free time, right?”
Logan smirked, his gaze traveling over my attire, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “I was thinking of taking you shopping for something more… suitable for the family gathering. You look nice in what you’re wearing now, but it’s not exactly…”
He paused. I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing in the spacious room. “Logan, are you implying I dress like an Omega?”
He shifted uncomfortably, a hint of pink tinting his cheeks. “It’s just a suggestion. Maybe.”
The rest of the day flew by in a flurry of activity. By the time I had settled back in and made my rounds around the office, the sun in the sky had shifted from a bright white to a soft golden hue. There was nothing else for me to do, no busywork, no extra errands.
It seemed as though my colleagues had long forgotten their penchant for dumping their extra work on me. I hated to admit it, but it felt… nice..
By the time the end of the work day came, however, I was debating canceling on Logan and telling him that we would shop another day. But Ema wouldn’t hear it. “He’s just trying to be nice,” she said, although I could sense the edge to her voice. “Maybe he feels bad for the way he was on the night you met.”
“Or, he wants a trophy wife on his arm at the party,” I replied. However, I wound up not canceling. I told myself that my wolf just convinced me to go through with it, but I couldn’t deny the fact that there was a nagging urge at the back of my mind to spend more time with Logan. And I hated it.
Exiting the firm, I blinked in surprise at the sight before me-three black cars idling outside, attracting curious glances from passersby.
“Really, Logan?” I muttered, noticing him leaning against the door of one of the cars. “Isn’t this a bit too… much?”
He grinned, walking up to me. “You know how it is. Crowded places, dangerous times. I can never be too careful.” The mall was buzzing with activity when we arrived.
The glaring truth hit me as I perused the high- end stores. I had come from an affluent background, but due to my desire to break free and the fact that I had been without a job for weeks, I didn’t have the money to splurge on luxury items. My financial predicament made me pause, hesitating before a beautiful cocktail dress that caught my eye.
The cocktail dress beckoned from its perch, a stunning piece that seemed to dance with light even in the dim ambiance of the boutique. It was an alluring shade of emerald, made of the softest silk that shimmered under the store lights. The dress boasted intricate beadwork around the waist that sparkled enticingly.
It was neither too short nor too long, just hitting the knees, with a playful slit on one side. A subtle sweetheart neckline promised to flatter any silhouette, while the thin straps added at touch of elegance.
Curiosity and desire getting the better of me, I picked it up, feeling the cool silk slide through my fingers. The dress whispered promises of evenings filled with candlelight and dance, of turning heads and capturing hearts.
“I think you should try it on,” Logan suggested, his voice as smooth as the silk in my hands.
“Why not?”” I agreed, more to indulge in a fleeting fantasy than with any real intention of purchase.
In the dressing room, as I slipped the dress over my head, it felt like liquid luxury cascading down my body. It hugged my figure in all the right places, accentuating the curves of my waist and hips.
The sweetheart neckline, as predicted, flattered my collarbones and neck, making me stand taller and prouder. The dress made me feel transformed-no longer just Ella the attorney but Ella the enchantress.
Stepping out to look in the mirror, I could see the transformation was not just in my head. The emerald hue made my hazel eyes pop, and the beadwork sparkled in a way that drew attention to my narrow waist.
Even my posture had changed, the dress demanding an elegance that I wasn’t aware I possessed, It felt perfect. That is, until my eyes landed on the price tag discreetly attached to the dress’s side. The number was staggering. My heart sank, and a lump formed in my throat.
I couldn’t afford this, not now, and I wouldn’t lower myself to asking my dad to send me some money so I could buy a pretty dress, even though I knew he would do it in a heartbeat. I gently touched the silk one last time, trying to commit the feeling to memory, before reluctantly making my way back into the dressing room.
Once out of the dress and back in my own clothes, I approached the rack to return the masterpiece. The silk felt cold in my hands, almost as if it was lamenting being returned. Just as I was about to hang it back up, Logan reached out, swiftly taking the dress from my grasp.
“Ella,” he began, holding the dress up to the light and admiring its beauty, “you’re not leaving without this.”
I frowned, opening my mouth to protest, but the resolute look in his eyes silenced me. The man was accustomed to getting his way, and at that moment, it was evident he’d set his sights on the emerald dress that had briefly transformed my world.
As the cashier took Logan’s card and gently folded up my dress, placing it in a tissue-paper-filled box, Logan’s voice, low and sultry, whispered in my ear.
“Mafia rule one: we never let our girl pay for her bills.”
