“What the hell?” my brother’s voice cuts through.
Dax and I break apart. I spin around to gawk at my brother.
“Ash?” I clear my throat, hoping my cheeks aren’t bright pink. “You’re home early.”
Ash’s eyes pan from me, to Dax, and then back to me. “Yeah,” he drags out the word. “Classes were boring and Christie’s busy with an art project, so I decided to skip out. What exactly am I looking at?”
The flush in my cheeks radiates across my face. “Umm, I’m… We’re…” I turn to Dax, and clamminess sits on the back of my neck. “This is my brother, Ash.”
“Hang on.” Dax’s eyebrow arches. “Ash Ashworth?”
“Ash is his nickname,” I clarify. I glance at my brother, stifling a laugh. “He’s Little Ash.”
Ash groans and rolls his eyes. “Oh, shut it. I haven’t beenlittlein a long time.”
I ignore my brother’s complaint and tell Dax, “He’s the third Thomas Ashworth. A nickname was needed for the baby.”
“Okay,” Ash says, waving his hands in front. “Can someone please explain what’s going on? Since when do you have guys around the manor?”
I shrug coyly. “It’s never been plural. It’s just one guy.”
“Ness?” He drags out my name, waiting for a real answer.
“This is Dax,” I concede. “Can you please promise you won’t tell Dad you saw him?”
Ash’s eyebrows knit together. “Has Dad met him?”
My jaw clenches. “More like he tried to kick Dax off the property.”
Ash folds his arms and narrows his focus at Dax. “Why? What’d he do?”
Dax broadens his stance. “Why are you looking at me like I’ll hurt your sister?”
“Because I don’t know you,” Ash replies.
I step in front of Dax. “He’d never hurt me. He just needs somewhere to lay low while he gets better.”
Ash tilts his head, nodding at Dax. “You’re hurt?”
“I’ll live,” Dax mutters.
“Look, it doesn’t matter what’s going on with him,” I say to Ash. “Just, please, don’t say anything to Dad.”
Ash huffs, unfolding his arms. “When have I ever ratted you out?”
I move forward and wrap him in a hug. “Thank you, Ash.”
When I turn back to Dax, he shifts awkwardly. “I should probably get going.”
My heart sinks. “Are you sure?”
He nods. “I’ll just check in with the others, and then I’ll meet up with you later. You’ll have your driver take you there?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Dax pecks my cheek and squeezes my hand. I then show him the hallway that will lead to the rear of the manor.
“Remember to take the service entrance on your way out.”
