“It’s fine. I would have helped any friend like that. But I don’t understand why you’re here just to say that.”
“The day that story broke, my grandmother reached out to me. For the first time that I can ever remember, shepraisedme for my actions.”
My mouth drops open in surprise, and Alex snorts.
“The dragon lady congratulated you on getting head in the closet at a club?”
“Well, no. She reamed me out for that, but the fact that it was Jacinta at my feet made all the difference. She congratulated me, then suggested I knock you up so you would have no choice but to marry me.” The only reason I continue hearing him out is that there’s nothing positive in his voice. He sounds like he’s ashamed to even be saying these words out loud, which makes me decide that I need to give him a chance instead of running as far as I can as quickly as possible.
“Fuck off, she didn’t!” Jace obviously doesn’t believe it either.
“Oh no, I can assure you that’s exactly what she said. You’re wealthy, and you have a title. In her eyes, you’re a catch. She wants me to lock you down quick smart.” He sounds embarrassed as he explains the reasons why. Gone is the cocky, smug British aristocrat, and in his place is an unsure guy in his late twenties.
“What I want to ask you is if you would pretend for a few months for me. Be seen in public and on my arm. It would really take some pressure off of me.” His words are so similar to what Hope suggested that I’m speechless for a moment, and although I already explained this plan to the guys, they are quick to voice their opinions again now, but I shut that down. Of course their opinions matter to me, but I also have questions. Why is this man practically begging me to help him out?
“Why do you let her dictate your life? We all know you’re bisexual, but you pretend to be straight for your grandmother. It can’t be your title because you have that already. From what I understand, there isn’t much wealth left. I’m sure we would all appreciate an explanation.”
Ashton closes his eyes and sighs deeply before opening them again. “You’re right. I do owe you an explanation, and I most definitely owe you one.” He’s looking at Alex now, and I can see regret in his eyes. “Maybe I should have told you sooner, but it wasn’t going to change anything. I was never going to be allowed to live my life like I want to.” He sounds so heartbroken, and there’s even the shimmer of tears in Alex’s eyes. Shane reaches out and takes his hand, giving it a squeeze.
“I have a sister.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Jacinta
Alex gasps, the sound full of some pent-up hurt. “You never told me that!”
“She’s a half-sister. Before he died, my dad knocked up a maid during a drunken binge. I don’t think it was quite consensual, but Grandmother paid the maid to carry it to term then hand her over. I was fourteen when Edie was born, and I loved her to bits. I helped out with her as much as I could when I was home from boarding school. Much like me, Edith was raised by nannies. She and I were all we had. Dad was a drunken asshole who would smack me around, and I swore I would never let him raise a hand to her. Not that I had to worry. He tripped and fell down the stairs at our estate, breaking his neck in the fall, drunk as usual.” Ash pauses and takes another sip of his drink as I absorb everything he’s told me so far. He hasn’t really given me a reason for the whole closet thing yet.
“When I came out to my grandmother as bisexual, she was horrified. She wouldn’t have that shame on the family name, so she ordered me to stay in the closet. I argued with her about it, but she said that if I came out as bi, I would be disowned, and she would marry Edie off to the first wealthy man who wanted a title as soon as she possibly could. Edie is fourteen, so that means for the next four years, I have to stay firmly in the closet so that my grandmother doesn’t follow through with what she threatened.”
“But that’s not legal in the UK!” I argue.
“But it is here in some states, no matter how taboo, and she wouldn’t hesitate to come over here if she had to. She’s Edie’s legal guardian. I tried to get guardianship, but my first try was unsuccessful, and she said if I tried again, she has the name of a nice, wealthy Arab man who would gladly take Edie off her hands.”
“Holy fuck,” Jace breathes out.
“That’s why I let you go. I love you, Alex, but I love my little sister more, and I couldn’t give you what you needed while also keeping her safe.” Ash’s eyes plead him to forgive him, and I see Alex melt.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have understood.”
Ash smiles sadly. “I know you would have, but I didn’t want that for you. You have so much love to give, and you deserve someone who could give you just as much and shout it to the world. It looks like you’ve found just that.”
Wow. My eyes slide to Shane, who’s wearing a contemplative frown, and I feel a little of Nana’s matchmaking urge stir inside me.
“I appreciate you explaining everything.” Ash flinches, finally tearing those heartbroken eyes of his away from Alex. “I’ll be honest… I was going to make an appointment to see you and ask you to do much the same thing for me.”
“You were? Why?” He sounds as surprised as I was when he asked me. I chuckle.
“I guess it’s my turn to explain.” I tell him everything about the hostile company takeover plans, including the unhappy shareholders and the fact that Cole hatched a plan to take the heat of Neighpalm Industries and put it solely on me.
A myriad of expressions show on his face as he listens, but by the end, he’s smiling widely. “Should I get you an engagement ring to seal the deal?” he jokes.
“Just remember, in public, it’s you and me, but behind closed doors, I’m with these guys, and I won’t stop that. What I’m about to do isn’t fair to them, but they’re being very gracious in understanding how important my family is to me. And you need to remember to keep your dalliances private too. I will not be made a fool of if you get caught in a closet. I will happily announce our split and leave you to deal with the fallout.” I don’t mince words, because as much as he doesn’t want to lose his sister, he’s careless with himself, as the other day proved. “Pick your partners wisely, Ashton, because you have a lot more to lose than I do. And I’m having dinner with these guys tonight. I’m not going to change that. I’ll send you a list of my upcoming engagements, and we’ll coordinate, okay?”
“Yes, of course, and thank you. I’ll leave you be now. It was nice meeting the two of you.” He smiles at Shane and Jace. “And it was good seeing you again, Alex. You’re looking well, and I can tell you’re happy. It’s all I ever wanted.”
With that last remark, Ashton leaves us.
