“Of course it was.” Jasper’s words were low and vehement. “And I’m trying…” He took a breath, then a step back. “The point is, Delaney is great with her. Charlotte spent our entire time together telling me how much she loves her. So I don’t care what big freaking deal you’re putting together, it’s not more important than Charlotte.”
“Said the man who’s going to leave on the first flight out.”
“I never said?—”
“Didn’t have to.” Fury and frustration warred inside Noah. He should shut up now. He should go to bed, but he was too tired to dig down for self-control. “You’re my brother, Jaz. And I love you. But you’re the one who leaves. The son, the brother, and now the father wholeaves. So don’t tell me what I should do. I’ll be the one to put Charlotte back together after you take off, after you’ve disappointed her—again.”
The expression that crossed Jasper’s face had Noah regretting his words the instant they were out of his mouth.
Everything he’d said was true. But Jasper was hurting. He’d been hurting since that awful day twenty years before.
“Look,” Noah said, “I’m just saying?—”
“No.” Jasper lifted a hand to silence him. “You’re right. I’m the one who leaves. You’re the perfect big brother who’s going to sacrifice everything to save a house filled with ghosts. Good luck with that.”
He brushed past Noah and stalked out.
Leaving Noah to stew in his own poor choices.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The next morning, as Delaney approached the kitchen, raised voices carried down the hallway—Noah’s sharp and commanding, the other defensive and dismissive. She paused just outside the doorway, hesitant to interrupt what was clearly a heated argument.
“You’re going to have to stay here until this merger is finalized. I can’t risk anything else going wrong.”
“I’ve got things to do.” The other man was Jasper, the brother she’d seen the night before. His tone was casual, as if they were discussing weekend plans rather than Charlotte’s care. “I plan to come home and take care of her soon, but —”
“You can sacrifice your next party to stay home with your daughter.” The fury in Noah’s voice made Delaney wince. “For once in your life, be responsible.”
Silence fell, heavy and uncomfortable. Delaney waited a moment longer, not wanting to walk into the middle of their tension. When the quiet stretched another two minutes, she took a deep breath and stepped into the kitchen.
The brothers sat at opposite ends of the table, each nursing a mug of coffee and refusing to look at the other. The air betweenthem crackled. Jasper noticed her first, his face transforming instantly from sullen to charming as he rose from his chair.
“Miss Wright.” He extended his hand, his smile dazzling if a little forced. “We didn’t meet properly last night. I’m Jasper Aylett, Charlotte’s father.”
Delaney shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Aylett.”
“Just Jasper. Let me get you some coffee.” He moved toward the counter, but Noah was already there.
“I’ve got it.” He reached for a mug and fixed her coffee exactly as she liked it—with a splash of cream and a teaspoon of sugar—and handed it to her, his fingers brushing hers briefly. The warmth from his touch lingered on her skin.
Jasper noticed the exchange, his eyebrows lifting slightly as he retook his seat. “Aren’t you two cozy?”
Delaney’s cheeks heated. She sipped her coffee, focused on Noah. “My flight leaves just after three.”
“I’ll drive you,” Noah said.
“I can get an Uber.”
“No need. Are you hungry?” He nodded toward a pan beside the stove. “Scrambled eggs this morning.”
“No, thank you.” She couldn’t imagine trying to eat. She’d barely slept, what with the memory of Lena’s gun and knowing it would be her last night in the room she’d come to think of as hers. “I was just wondering where you put my suitcase. I need to pack.”
“Right.” A shadow crossed Noah’s features, gone almost immediately. “I’ll get it.” He headed for the door, giving his brother a look she couldn’t read. His footsteps were heavy on the hardwood as he walked away.
Jasper leaned back in his chair. “You’re the one who’s been taking such good care of my daughter.”
“She’s a wonderful little girl.”
