Three Rings and a Rose by Mia Ashlinn Read Free Book Online Page B

busy glowering at Micah.
    Micah seemed to be just as stressed but hiding it better. Honestly, if it weren’t for the tightness around Micah’s gorgeous eyes, Ella would believe he truly didn’t give a damn that there were three obviously pissed-off women gunning for him. Hell, he gave the distinct impression that he was completely oblivious to their presence in the room. But she knew him, and she knew that was a falsehood.
    Well, isn’t this going to be a barrel of fucking laughs? Thank God Tate isn’t here. He would just add to the goddamn festivities.
    She didn’t know what had happened between her siblings and Micah over the past few weeks, but she was damn well going to find out—right now. “What the fuck is wrong with the four of you? We’re having a party. Not some goddamn sacrifice ritual. Chill the fuck out or tell me what the hell is going on. Take your pick.” 46
    Mia Ashlinn

Chapter 4
    Ella’s demanding voice reverberated off the walls in her tiny office. Surprisingly, nothing happened. The floor didn’t shake, the furniture didn’t rattle, and no papers went flying at the loud, booming noise coming from her throat. But still no one in the room responded to her. So she went on, badgering them with her always persistent nature. “Okay, I have been a good, little girl. I haven’t pestered you. I haven’t hounded you. Hell, I haven’t even fucking badgered you either.”
    Shooting to her feet, Ella scurried around the room, picking up random presents strewn all over the floor. “Now Miss Nice Ella is gone, and you four need to give it up. That means someone is going to tell me what is going on, or I will have to do something drastic.” Keeping her ramrod-straight back to them, she mumbled a never-ending string of profanity as she stacked as many presents in her arms as possible. She carried the mountain of gifts over to the closet then stuffed them inside.
    Whirling back around to face them, she situated her hands on the curve her hips and tapped her toe in overly dramatic impatience.
    “Don’t make me go all evil bitch on your asses.” Reagan snorted without glancing her way, keeping her eyes trained on Micah. “Since when are you good, Ella? And since when have you not pestered, hounded, or badgered us?” She reached around her neck and released her long tresses from the ponytail holding them captive. Then she proceeded to put her hair right back up with agitated hands. “You cornered me just yesterday about what was going on between us”—she paused to point at Micah—”and him.” Three Rings and a Rose
    47
    Reagan had her there. Ella had cornered her sister—yesterday and the day before that and the one prior to that. Hell, she’d put the screws to Reagan every day for the past two weeks. But she hadn’t harassed her. Had she? Then again, she probably had. She wasn’t exactly known for her subtle nature and sometimes, she didn’t even realize when she was being brash or overly bold.
    “Fine,” Ella snapped. “I might have done that, but you’re the one who’s most likely to blab to me, Reagan.” She frowned. “God knows that Hadley, Molly-Grace, and Micah are more tight-lipped than Caedon Asher in the middle of my big scandal.” The words slipped out before she thought about it. Damn, I have got to learn how to censor my smart mouth.
    Every eye in the room shot to Ella—except Micah’s. And Ella’s eyes darted to his.
    Grimacing noticeably, Micah dropped his attention to the floor.
    However, he said nothing. When the silence stretched on, Ella felt the sudden urge to apologize to her best friend because she wasn’t the only one who was hurting.
    Micah had been in love with Caedon, too. He’d been as hurt by the loss of Caedon from their lives as she had. Only she’d never been able to confess to him that it was her fault that he’d left. Well, if you want to get technical, it was my fault and Caedon’s.
    Ella should have shared the truth with Micah before now,