Page 31 of Dash

“We’ll find your sisters, and we’ll also find the person who murdered your father and tried to kill you,” Dash promised with certainty that gave me hope. “We’ll get him.”

His assurance went a long way toward making me feel as if I wasn’t alone in this. I couldn’t allow my fear for my sisters to overwhelm me. For their sake, I had to keep my anxiety under control and keep my brain working.

“I don’t understand any of this,” I sighed, contemplating the letter in my hand. “Why didn’t Father tell me about it? Why didn’t he rely on Rivera and the Astor security division to find his would-be killer?”

“Because your father didn’t trust anyone,” Dash said. “Distrust was Richard Astor’s MO. He seriously considered the possibility that the enemy came from within.”

“Jorge?” I shook my head. “He’s worked for my father for over twenty years. He’s always been loyal to us.”

“I know how you feel, but we must consider the facts.”

“The facts.” I frowned. “You mean the cameras and listening devices you discovered in the boardroom?”

“Plus, your father was killed in his private office by someone who had the time and space to inject him with a lethal poison, perhaps someone he trusted.” Dash turned his cane in his hand. “There’s also a high degree of probability you werepoisoned at the office as well. That’s why I have to treat every person in your life as a suspect. Let’s circle back to your concerns about the business,” he proposed. “As far as I’m concerned, my takeover is in name only.”

“How so?”

“Your father had a plan. He thought he could get me to carry it out from his grave. His decision to set you aside and keep you in the dark is not fair to you. The threat is real, but I’m not doing this his way. I’m doing itmyway.”

This was the Dash I knew and loved all right. He always did things his way.

“My plan deviates from your father’s wishes,” he continued. “But it starts with the same objective he had in mind.”

“Which is?”

“To shift the murderer’s attention from you to me.”

“Holy crap.” A cold frisson crawled up my spine as I realized the extent of my father’s designs. “Father made a calculated decision to keep me safe by endangering you. Am I right?”

Dash didn’t deny the obvious.

“Why didn’t I see this before?” I pushed the hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ears, scolding myself for being so blind. “My scheming father put you in danger because—”

“He wanted to protect you from an assassin,” Dash ended my sentence. “Richard Astor had many flaws. I was never a fan of his, but remember this: he left me in charge of the company, not because he thought you couldn’t handle it, but because he wanted to protectyou.”

I met Dash’s eyes. “Do you really think so?”

“It’s the only notion that makes sense.”

Had Father loved me after all? Had he thought of my sisters and I as more than just business tools, walking wombs,and marriage contracts waiting to happen?

“Wait.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Is this why you gave that interview to The Journal? Is this the reason you stressed I’m not responsible for the company any longer but rather you are?”

“Precisely.” He dipped his head. “I had to make sure the knowledge became public. I don’t know if it’ll change the murderer’s plan, but if there’s a chance he may forgo you as a target, then it was worth the effort.”

“I’m sorry about my reaction.” Embarrassment heated my face. “I got so angry at you.”

“Anger is a fine emotion.” He chided me with his gaze. “It’s got impact power. I feel it from you like acid rain pouring over my skin.” As I opened my mouth to say who knows what, he spoke over me, his voice hard with determination. “I need you to know this. I’ll do everything in my power to protect your life, even if it makes you hate me more than you already do.”

His remark stung. Did I really hate Dash? I had reason. He’d hurt me deeply. I couldn’t deny I resented him for what he’d done, but even in the depths of my pain, had I ever truly hated Dash?

No. I couldn’t hate him, not back then, and not now. He’d been my North for so many years, my very own Polaris. He’d come to my assistance when I needed him the most. He’d kept me from dying and had stayed at my side through the ordeal at the hospital. I couldn’t forget his betrayal, but I admired his sense of duty, his determination to do right by me and my sisters, and his willingness to put his neck on the line to save mine.

“You shouldn’t take this on.” My stomach shrank when I considered that Dash could end up hurt or killed because of me. “I can figure this out.”

“You’re very capable, Thena, but right now, you need help. We need to work together.”

He wasn’t wrong about any of that. The sooner we ended the threat, the sooner my sisters and Dash would be safe.

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