Josh had difficulty reading her, and the dim interior of the SUV didn’t help. He thought she was teasing but wasn’t one hundred percent certain. “Would you prefer to forget your brother’s crazy plan?”
Ashley was a soft weight against his side. She didn’t speak, didn’t breathe for a long five seconds.
“Ashley?”
“Can we talk when we get to my place?”
This time, Josh caught her wariness. “You can trust Summer and Nikolai.”
“If this gets out—the lies. The fiancé fabrication. I’ll lose my seat. The press will crucify me. I’ve wanted to go into politics ever since I was a kid at primary school. If people suspect, I’ll lose everything I’ve worked for.”
“Shush. Relax. We’ll talk once we arrive at your place,” Josh promised.
“Matt thinks it’s easy for me to lie. I don’t. Lie, I mean. I’m a terrible liar. I’m not good at it, so I don’t do it.”
“Look at it this way, sweetheart. We’ll be friends. I’ll be someone in your corner, someone you can trust. I won’t speak to the press or do anything to hinder your chances of re-election. If anyone asks nosy questions, you tell them I’m your friend. Your best friend. That won’t be a lie. If they ask when we’re getting married, tell them the election is the most important thing at the moment. None of that is a lie. Don’t worry. Frog’s plan is perfect. It’ll work.”
“Frog? Is that my brother’s nickname?”
Josh paused, tilted his head. “Have you heard your brother sing?”
She burst out laughing and something clenched in his chest. “He loves singing. It relaxes him.”
Josh thought back, the comment bringing insight. Frog’s terrible singing had made them laugh. His entire team had relaxed after the shared laughter on hearing Frog’s singing. “It relaxed the team too because we couldn’t stop laughing.”
“I play the piano and Matt sings,” Ashley said.
“Badly?” Josh wondered if lack of musical talent ran in the family.
“Josh!” Summer protested. “That was rude.”
Josh huffed. “You haven’t heard Frog’s singing.”
Ashley gave a light laugh, and the tinkling sound grabbed him. Suddenly, this favor to Frog was looking better and better. Ashley was a babe, and she had a brain. Acting as her fiancé… Well, it wouldn’t stretch his performing abilities. Keeping his hands off and his word to Frog not to hit on his sister—that would take more effort.
* * * * *
The letters hadn’t been enough, so he’d upped the pressure. He wanted her scared. Terrified. He wanted her to suffer the same confusion and dread he’d experienced.
Because of her.
She’d got off lightly while he’d grieved and ached and endured years of nightmares.
By now, the man he’d hired had caused consternation at her meeting.
Her car would delay her arrival at home while he prepared to cause her more angst.
He knew what to do.
3 – Undie-Gate
Matt’s friend seemed nice with his brown hair, twinkly blue eyes, and straightforward manner. Sexy, touch-enticing facial scruff. She had to remind herself his laugh lines disguised a tough military man. Not her type because she dated intellectuals, but Josh and his brother-in-law had blown away her stress with their no-nonsense investigation of her car problem. They hadn’t waffled. They hadn’t tried to placate her with half-truths, and she appreciated that. They reminded her of Matt, which helped her to relax even further.
Nikolai slowed and turned into her driveway.
Ashley scanned her yard and tensed, swallowed hard.
“What is it?” Josh demanded.
