Page 66 of Wretched Heart
Maddie puts a hand on his shoulder and kisses his cheek. “I know this isn’t the best start, but we’re not enemies,” she says. “I will prove you can trust me, but in the meantime, you should have an early night.”
Ash doesn’t react. The stubborn bastard isn’t going to be easily won over.
“Oh, and Asher,” Maddie says when she reaches the door. “Please don’t keep my husband too long.”
And then she’s gone.
“That could have gone worse,” Mace says glibly to break the silence.
“You two fuckers have a lot of explaining to do,” Ash says, glaring at our brothers. “Hunter isn’t the only one who’s been lying through his teeth.”
Chair legs scrape as Reid gets up. “And we’d do it again,” he says. “You didn’t have to speak to Maddie like that. She’s been through enough.” He rests his hands on the table as he squares up to Ash. It’s a sight to behold. I can’t even remember the last time Reid raised his voice in anger at anyone, the only exception being Mace, obviously. “If you don’t want to be involved in this, fine. Get on the next flight back to Scotland and leave us to get on with the job.”
Mace stands up too. He doesn’t offer his own argument for fear of giving away his affection for Maddie, but the way he places a hand on Reid’s shoulder, speaks volumes.
“Have you all been pussy-whipped?” Ash asks.
I was dreading this showdown, but I’m feeling better prepared now. “Let’s get this done,” I say, marching out of the kitchen and heading for the office.
I hear Mace mutter something about keepingaway from his equipment, but it’s the sound of heavy footsteps behind me that carry a warning.
When I turn to face my big brother, Ash is right in my face.
“Have you lost your goddamn mind!” he roars. His nostrils flare and veins bulge at his temples. “Do I seriously need to tell you how fucked up this is?”
I wipe the spittle from my cheek, and keep my voice low and controlled. “Reid had the right idea. You should slink back to Scotland and pretend you’re lord of the manor. I respect you, brother, and you have the right to be angry that I didn’t tell you what I was doing, but I’m seeing this through to the end. With or without your blessing.”
Ash throws his hands in the air and steps away. He stalks around the conference table, putting office furniture between us before he shows his hand. “Sorry, Hunter, but that’s not going to happen. I’m staying. And I’m pulling the plug on this.”
“The hell you are,” I growl.
“Not your choice,” he says simply as our dynamics shift. He’s getting calmer, and I can feel my blood starting to boil. “I’m going to veto any move to buy the mill. And you can’t do it without me.”
“Fuck you!”
“Don’t like it? Tough shit, Hunter. It’s called damage limitation,” he says. “By staying here, we’re playing into Barrett’s hands. We need to preempt what he does next, or better still, give him something to think about. I was hoping Killian might go after Barrett for retribution, but he and John want to leave it to us for now.”
“So you’ve been speaking to Killian?” That’s how Ash knew about Maddie.
“At this moment, I’m inclined to trust him more than my own brothers,” Ash says curtly.
“Well, good for you, Ash. Feel free to take him on your next crusade, but I’m staying here.”
Ash closes his hands into tight fists. “You’re choosingherover family?”
My stomach twists. It’s not something I’d ever want to consider. I’d take a bullet for my brother, but I can’t leave Maddie. “I’m choosing to stay here and keep my word to my wife,” I explain. “If we leave, Hugo will take back control of the mill and Maddie will be trapped forever in his sick little world.”
“I’m sure her brother can fix her up with another fool once you’re divorced.”
I lean forward over the conference table, my whitened knuckles pressing into the wood. “Maddie was right. You’re as much of a misogynist as her father was, and her brother.”
Ash’s jaw ticks. “I can accept that kind of comment from Maddie because she doesn’t know me, but you do. You know why we have to do things the way we do. We don’t have the luxury of settling down and living normal lives.Partners.Wives. They’re a distraction. And they’re a weakness our enemies can exploit. Keep your mind off Maddie’s pussy for two seconds and see sense, Hunter,” Ash says in exasperation. “It’s in her best interests that she cuts ties with you as soon as possible. I’ve already asked the lawyers to look at an annulment.”
It's not unheard of for Ash and I to make decisions on each other’s behalf, but there are lines we wouldn’t cross, especially when it comes to personal matters. Ash has just oversteppedby a fucking mile, so I follow. “Perhaps I should have my own conversation with our lawyers. If I break our partnership and take my share, I can buy the paper mill on my own.”
Ash’s stare cuts straight to my heart. “I’d be very careful about making idle threats, brother. I might just call your bluff.”
“It’s no bluff,” I say, my answer shocking us both. “My duty to my wife comes first.”
