The Heirs: Fated Heirs

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

THEN

Josh

Ari's MIA most of the week, spending all her time practicing for her audition with Cooper Miles. She hardly comes up for air. She's at the studio almost all day, every day, and doesn't get back to the house until late.

Which I get. I know she needs to focus right now. But I really don't like that I don't hear from her at all. Cooper, I guess, insists that they both turn off their phones while they're rehearsing. I don't like the idea of Ari being cut off, in case she needs me, or anyone else.

I take some comfort in the fact that she has her bodyguard around at all times, but still.

Yesterday, I drove to the studio. There were only two cars there. Cooper's and Ari's guard, Vadik's, car. I nod at the Vadik as I walk into the nearly empty studio with a bag of pastries from Ari's favorite bakery.

I wanted to stop in and make sure she ate something. I know she's barely been around for meals, and I highly doubt she's eating at the studio.

She and Cooper were going hard in the studio. They were both covered in sweat and I watched in awe from the doorway as Ari leapt into Cooper's arms and he held her above his head before doing this crazy move where she pretty much swirled down him.

He took her waist and pulled her against him. They made eye contact, but then Ari pulled away, ready to practice the next move.

That's when I saw it.

Cooper's hand lingered in the air, his eyes focused fully on her ass. He had this look in his eye – like he wanted her and wouldn't stop till he got her.

And I did not fucking like that one bit.

I knocked on the side of the door, made my presence known. Cooper's eyes narrowed at me, but Ari beamed happily, jumping into my arms.

Her body had been so warm with exertion.

"I'm just stopping in. I don't want to disturb you guys. Brought some pastries for you," I nodded with a smile at her.

Ari kissed my cheek. "Thank you!"

"You can't eat that shit right now, Ariana," Cooper scoffed.

I gave him my most threatening look, but he didn't seem to care.

Ari's beautiful cheeks had gone pink with shame as she stared longingly at the pastry bag.

"You need to eat," I urged her.

"I'm eating."

"High protein, no carbs," Cooper said.

I thought of about fifteen ways I wanted to pummel him.

After leaving, I couldn't get that look in his eyes out of my mind. I headed over to the Yenins' manor on the outskirts of town.

"Joshua," Damien Yenin greeted me.

"Uncle Damien," I nodded in greeting. He's not my uncle, but that's what we all call one another.

"Chase isn't here," Damien told me.

"I'm not looking for Chase."

Damien looked curious, "Tate isn't either."