‘Is everything alright?’ he asks.
I nod, almost robotically. ‘I’ve done everything on the list. Just waiting to hear back from a few—’
‘No,’ Andreas cuts me off. ‘I mean, with you. Is everything alright with you?’
He stares at me pointedly, the way only an older brother can, like he already knows the answer and is waiting to see if I’ll bother lying about it. The realisation ignites a flare of anger inside me. How dare he act like he cares about me now?
‘I’m fine,’ I say brusquely. ‘Is there anything else, or—’
‘And Imani?’ Andreas asks. ‘How are things with her?’
I shrug.
Andreas narrows his eyes and purses his lips. ‘You two are getting along better then?’
‘Why?’ I ask. ‘Are you going to tell me again how you think it’ll be good for me if I marry her?’
Andreas opens his mouth but I keep on talking.
‘Or are you going to man up and tell me what you really mean?’
He frowns. ‘What?’
‘That the only reason you want me to marry her is because it’ll be good for whatever the hell you and our father have planned.’
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Andreas look so stunned. ‘I…’ he starts again. ‘Ash, I—’
‘I overheard you,’ I say. ‘A few months back. I heard the two of you talking and he was saying how easily manipulated I am. How desperate I am for his approval and love.’
‘Asher—’ Andreas starts again, his voice hoarse.
‘And you agreed with him.’
‘I didn’t—’
‘You didn’t defend me,’ I snap, feeling the anger I’ve been holding onto for the last few months rise like red-hot lava inside me. ‘You sat and let him say those things about me and then, when push came to shove, the only thing you cared about was whether he’d be able to use me to get this fucking deal over the line.’
Andreas seems to crumple in on himself. ‘You don’t understand,’ he says, shaking his head.
‘Then help me understand! Hasn’t it always been the three of us against him? Or have you been playing both sides my whole life?’
‘I’m not… It’s not…’ He runs a frustrated hand through his hair. ‘You’re upset. I get that. I’m not on his side, I’m onyours.’
‘Sure as hell didn’t sound like it.’
‘I know,’ he says. ‘I know.’ He leans forward in his chair, elbows braced on his knees and his hands clasped so tightly together, his knuckles have gone white. ‘I should’ve told you sooner. I just… There’s never been a right time.’
‘Told me what?’ I ask. ‘And there’s never a right time to admit you sold me out.’
‘That’s not what this is,’ he says quickly. ‘I didn’t sell you out.’
‘Then explain,’ I snap. ‘Because from where I’m standing, it looks a hell of a lot like it.’
Andreas drags a hand down his face and groans. ‘I’ve been working with the NCA.’
I blink at him, sure I’ve misheard. ‘You’ve been what?’
‘The NCA,’ he repeats, like I don’t know what the National Crime Agency is. ‘For the last eighteen months or so, we’ve been building a case.’ He swallows then glances nervously around the room like he’s half expecting the room to be wired. ‘Against him.’
