“Please, tell me where you are; don’t run away from us.”
Tash heart stuttered in his chest as he watched the light fade from Ash’s eyes.
“Brandon, wait.” Ash threw the phone onto his desk. “Damn it, he hung up.”
“Did he say anything?”
Ash’s brow furrowed. “He said he needed to do it on his own and not to worry about him. I’m going to call Jordan. Maybe Keith’s old partner, Neil, can figure out how to track the phone call. Then we might have an idea where he was going.”
While Ash put in the call to Jordan, Tash texted Brandon several more times.
I love you. Where are you, and why are you running away?
He received no reply.
Ash slammed down the phone in frustration. “Jordan’s in surgery and won’t be out for several hours. I’m going to call Luke and speak to him.”
Before he had a chance to pick up the phone again, it rang.
“Yes, Laura?”
“Esther is on line one.”
Tash watched Ash take a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. No matter how crazy Tash was not knowing where Brandon had run to, he couldn’t imagine how Ash felt, having only found his little brother again after so many years.
“Esther, how can I help you? I’m a little busy at the moment—” Ash halted, his eyes growing wide with disbelief. “He did? What did he say?”
Ash listened, and once again, Tash waited with nervous anticipation swirling in his stomach. Ash kept shooting strange looks at him.
“He didn’t show up to work today and called in sick for the rest of the week.”
Ash listened for several more minutes. “Thank you. I think you’re right.” For the first time he smiled. “Very well, Esther. I’m sure you’re right. I love you, and I’ll call you as soon as we know anything.” He was about to hang up when he looked at Tash. “Yes, he is.” Ash handed the phone to him. “She wants to talk to you.”
Puzzled, Tash took the phone from Ash. “Esther, it’s Tash.” He waited for her to speak, since he had no idea what she had to say to him.
“Sebastian. I had quite a lovely talk with Brandon last night. Do you know why he left your house without seeing you?”
“No, do you? He talked to you?” Not that it would surprise Tash. Esther had a way with everyone she met. There was something about her that made you want to confide every one of your darkest fears and secrets to her.
“He did. He heard you last night. You and your sister. It was so hurtful to him to hear her say those things, and you not stand up and defend him—defend both of you, I should say.”
The bottom dropped out of Tash’s stomach. “What exactly did he say he heard?”
“That you believed what your sister said; that you’re too old for him, and he’s using you for security.” Her voice softened. “You don’t believe that, do you?”
“No, no, of course not.” The strength of his denial and anger surprised even him. “He means everything to me. I love him. If he had stayed, he would’ve heard me wake up from whatever stupid pill I’d taken to tell my sister how wrong she was.” He slumped onto the love seat by the window. “My God, how could he think otherwise? I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“Then find him and tell him that. Don’t let him go until you’re sure he believes it. He’s so fragile now. You may have to persuade him of your truth.”
“Thank you, Esther. I will. I promise to bring him back.”
He hung up to find Ash staring at him. “What?”
“You really do love him.”
“Not you too,” said Tash, groaning as he scrubbed his face. “I thought you believed me.”
“I didn’t realize the strength of your feelings until I saw your face right now.”
