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He blinked uncomprehendingly. “What are you trying to say, Briar? Just say it, because I really do have to leave soon.”
“It means I can work!” I blurted out, also lowering my cutlery to lean on the table eagerly. “I’m useful. Find me something to do, so I can help you with your business.”
To my dismay, Ash began to snicker, and he shook his head, grabbing his fork again to shovel a piece of steak into his mouth before responding.
“Well?” I pressed when he didn’t answer.
“No.”
“Why not?” I demanded, hurt by his blunt response. He’d barely even given it any thought. “Are you worried I’ll screw it up?”
That forced his chin back up toward me.
“That’s not it at all,” he replied sternly. “But my business is no place for you.”
Slumping back in the chair, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not some delicate flower, Ash,” I carped. “Stop treating me like some child who can’t handle herself.”
Slowly, Ash lowered his fork again and stared at me.
“You aren’t prepared for what I do,” he answered evenly. “It’s nothing you could prepare yourself for.”
“I just want to see,” I begged him. “Please, Ash. I’m going to go crazy if I have to stay in this house by myself again.”
“It’s not a good idea,” he said, but I could tell his resolve was slipping.
“Will you be with me?” I insisted.
Ash sighed.
“Then how bad could it be?” I asked.
He muttered something under his breath that I didn’t hear, but when I asked him to repeat it, he didn’t.
“I could work off some of my father’s debt if I help,” I offered weakly.
Although Ash didn’t respond directly to that, I could see the suggestion didn’t sit well with him, a grimace falling over his lips.
“Fine,” he agreed, and glee exploded inside me. “But you’ll have to stay in the car when we get there.”
I frowned, but he shook his head vehemently.
“Those are the conditions. If you don’t agree, you’ll stay home.”
“I’ll stay in the car,” I relented, grateful that I was at least leaving the estate for the first time since I’d arrived.
It was true that I was free to go, but I had nowhere to go now that I knew the truth about my father, and I still wasn’t ready to confront him with what I had learned.
“Fine. Finish your dinner, and the car will be around front in fifteen minutes,” he concluded, rising.
“Where are you going?”
He looked down at his tan shirt and smirked lightly.
“I’m going to need darker clothes,” he replied enigmatically.
* * *
An all-black SUVwaited at the front door when I stepped outside, twilight fading to near blackness. A driver hurried to open the back door for me, and I realized Ash was already waiting inside for me.
