Page 77 of Merciless

There has to be another way to get the money and inherit the business.

I force a smile. “Of course.”

His expression softens, and he nods. “Good. Go get your brother. Dinner will be ready soon.”

I stride toward the door.

“Elijah,” Father calls.

I stop with my hand on the door handle and peek at him over my shoulder.

“I love you, son. Please don’t let me down.”

I nod but remain silent.

What can I say to that? I love you too? I don’t feel love for him. Not after he’s shown me his true character toward my brother. His love is conditional. That isn’t love.

I love my brother. My loyalty lies with my brother. He’s the only person I can trust, and I would kill for him.

I open the door and leave the office. If marrying and having a child are the only conditions for inheriting everything from my father, then I’ll need to figure out a way to make that happen.

Three days left of this bet, and I can figure out what I need to do afterward.

CHAPTER 28

EDEN

DAY 4 OF THE BET

Dinner is uneventful. The conversation flows between Joe and my mother. They invited some friends—not surprised about that, since they always need to have a room packed with people.

Asher sits directly across from me, his arms crossed over his chest and his sucker sticking from the corner of his mouth. He leaves his food untouched in front of him. His focus has been on me the entire time, daring me to look at him.

It’s hard to lift my gaze and meet his. Not after what happened in the bathroom, the moment we shared.

My cheeks warm with the fresh memory.

Not at the dinner table. Not when his father is three feet away from me. I’m so afraid he’ll find out and disown me, right along with my mother.

My gaze has a mind of its own, and I meet Asher’s stare. A shiver runs up my spine, and warmth floods through my body. His lip curls into a subtle smirk.

An unbidden image pops into my mind of Asher naked, between my legs and ramming his cock inside me. He’d be just as rough with me as the man who’s been breaking into my dorm room, leaving behind hickeys and bruises that linger for days.

I mentally shake away the fantasy before it becomes something bigger.

Asher raises an eyebrow, his smirk curving wider.

“Is something funny, Asher?” Joe says.

His smile tightens, and he turns his focus to his father.

Silence.

I sink into my seat and jerk my gaze away from him. It lands on Elijah, who’s watching me with his head tilted. His eyes flick to Asher, then me, as if he’s putting together the puzzle pieces.

I’m the first to look away, and I awkwardly clear my throat, earning several pairs of eyes on me. I stand from my seat and grab the table to hold myself up, thanks to my weak legs.

“I think I’m done. I’ll turn in for the night,” I mutter.