He gives me a half smile that’s almost sympathetic. “What about we play some games? You can be my good-luck charm.”
I spot Sloane walking toward us. “I’m not good at games, Ash. I want to catch up with your sister.” I pull out of his grip and move toward her as quickly as my extra-tall heels will take me.
“Look at you, girl, you look great as a blonde.”
“Thanks.” I fake a smile, the way I look tonight the last thing on my mind. “Love you in green.”
She has on a flashy little number that looks fresh out of the nineteen-twenties, with its tassels. Her hair is in a high ponytail that hangs down her back. She grins at me and does a little shimmy. She pulls me closer to her side so we can both see the boys. “Tell me, sis, tension’s looking high. Are you alright?”
Jagger watches us together like a hawk. He can probably lip read and is about to come over here and break up our little catch-up. I drop my head, pain radiating through my chest. “I’m not going to marry Asher,” I whisper so only she can hear me.
She grips my arm, pulling me further back into the shadows. “What, why?”
“I don’t need his protection. I want to do this on my own.” I try to sound confident, but it’s hard when thinking of being without them rips my insides to shreds.
“You’re really sure about this, aren’t you?”
I look her over. She’s the strongest woman I know, and I love it. I want to be just like her. Not some weak little mouse like my ma, doing as she’s told to keep the men in her life happy. “I’m not the pathetic girl they all think I am. I can do more than be someone’s wife, Sloane. I need to prove to my family who I really am. You get that, right?”
Her peachy lips turn up at the sides. “I get it, girl. You have my backing.” She takes my hand in hers. “But Daisy, this was more than a marriage of convenience for Asher. You have to know that, don’t you?” The melancholy look on her face makes me believe her.
I try to shrug it and the sick feeling her words give me off. “I don’t know anything right now, Sloane. They lied to me, hid important life-changing shit from me that benefits them. I gave them plenty of chances to come clean, and none of them had the guts.”
She nods. “I hear what you’re saying, girl. Maybe just let Ash down easy.”
I sigh, catching Asher in my line of sight. He’s chatting to some young pretty girl, but his eyes are on me. When he spots me looking back, his lips twist up into the most charming grin ever. My heart does a little happy dance at the sight of it. This is going to hurt. “I’m not skipping town or anything, I just want my life back,” I whisper, the words almost too painful to say out loud.
“What do you have in mind?”
I glance over my shoulder, looking for them. Asher is still at the bar and tips his drink in my direction. I don’t see Cruz or Jagger, but we’re far enough away from anyone, so I know I’m safe. “I want you to call a board meeting and announce me as your co-CEO. I want my old job back dancing, I want to move back into your apartment, and I want a fucking phone again.”
“Not demanding much then.” She laughs.
“You know it’s only reasonable. My papa and brother won’t hurt me. Yes, they might try to drag me home, but I’m ready for them now, and it won’t matter. There is no way I will ever marry who they choose for me. I’m ready to fight for what I’m entitled to now more than ever.”
Her grin widens. “I knew you had it in you.”
“I didn’t. But I do now.” My head drops. “Sloane, they hurt me so much. I have no idea how to recover. All I know is I need to fight for myself and get that right first.”
She squeezes my arm. “Good for you, girl.”
“So will you sort out that board meeting for me? The sooner the better,” I ask, hopeful.
A hand comes to my side, and I freeze. A shiver moves down my spine like someone has walked over my grave.
Cruz’s breath dusts over my ear. “I think we need to talk, little darlin’.”
I shove out of his grip and spin around to find him and Jagger glaring down at me. Shit, where did they come from and how much of that conversation did they hear?
“Leave her alone, Jagger,” Sloane snips from her brother’s side.
Jagger glares angrily at her. “You’ve done enough, dear sister,” he spits back at her.
My heart kicks up a beat as I stare up at the two of them.
She offers me a sympathetic smile. “I’ll leave you to talk, but give her phone back so the girl can call me when she needs to.” She flicks Cruz in the forehead, then she’s on her way. “And try being less of a fuckwit. Seriously, brother.”
A heaviness washes over me. I wasn’t prepared to deal with this yet, and somewhere so public as well. But here goes nothing. “All this time I was just a job for you. First my brother, then Alex Moretti!”
