“No. I’m doing it because some guy has you wrapped around his finger. His grip on you is so tight, you’re still head-over-heels despite him robbing us while you were home.”
“He saved me from being seen by the others.”
“Ness, I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. It makes me sick, you were in the manor while those guys were skulking around. Who knows whatcould’ve happened? I’ll lose my mind thinking about it. I’m glad Christie’s away until they lock them up.” He chews his lip. “Bet you can’t say the same. I know you don’t like her.”
“I never said I disliked her. I just never liked losing my brother.”
Ash scoffs. “You left me.”
“I had to leave after the mess I made.” I sigh, looking away. “But I wasn’t wrong in my assumption.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Mom.” Swallowing hurts due to the dryness of my mouth. “She had an affair. In Switzerland. She had me keep quiet about it.”
Ash’s mouth opens and closes, figuring out the words to respond. His thumb and index finger massage his temples as he looks down at the ground. “Why are you telling me this now?”
I shrug. “Nothing else to lose.”
Ash sits beside me. “This doesn’t change anything. I still don’t trust your boyfriend, and I don’t want you leaving the estate to meet up with him.”
I gaze at the pool, frowning. “You don’t have to worry. I’m getting radio silence from him.”
Ash groans. “Ness. Are you still texting this guy? He led The Scorpions into our home.”
“I know.” The weight of tears builds inside me. “But he’s not safe with them. I wish he were back here.”
“That’ll never happen. Dad will kill him.”
I wipe under my eyes. “Then I’ll leave with him.”
Ash clicks his tongue. “And where will you go?”
“It doesn’t matter if I get to be with him.”
“How long have you known this guy?”
“It doesn’t matter. I knew how I felt as soon as I met him.”
Ash folds his arms, looking at me like I’m being ridiculous.
“And how long did it take you to tell Christie you love her?” I bite back. “You should know it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known someone. When you know, you know.”
Ash searches my eyes. “You love him?”
I rub the heel of my palm over my chest and nod. “It’s love.”
Ash places a hand on my back. “Do you really feel like you lost me?”
“We didn’t have the same relationship when I came back. And yes, I know it’s partly my fault for leaving in the first place.”
“You have to know you’re still a top priority in my life. I guess I didn’t realize how swept up I got in Christie.” A soft laugh puffs out of him. “I mean, have you met her?”
I lower my guard and mumble a laugh. “It’s still so weird seeing you all loved-up. When I left, you were so adamant you’d never date.”
“Like you said, ‘when you know, you know.’”
“Is that your way of saying you accept my feelings for Dax?”
