“Took over our grandparents' imports/exports company last year. From what I can see, he’s doing an excellent job with it. Certainly making himself richer than God.”
Ialmostmention something about Reynard—who’s net worth outmatches that of any divine being by at least ten times—but something holds me back. This newfound rapport with Asher is nice, but I don’t expect it to last, and I don’t want to give him ammunition against me. My father is an eternal sore spot.
He’s also been trying to get a hold of me through Hunt since I got the invitation, but I’ve been putting him off.
“That guy you were with the other night,” Asher asks suddenly. “Who was he?”
Once again, Ialmostopen up and admit that I was with my brother. I don’t know what prompted such a severe reaction from Asher, but seeing me out with a man bothered him.
My momentary ember of hope that it was jealousy is smothered out by the memory of Asher referring to his girlfriend.
So, instead of telling the full truth, I allow a mysterious smile to play over my lips. “Someone I care for very much.”
Asher’s head tilts to the side, and his eyes narrow. “That so?”
“Mhm.” Technically, it’s not a lie. I fuckingadoremy brother, his sociopathic tendencies aside. But I’m deliberately leading Asher to think I was out with someone I care for in a different way.
Oops.
“What about you?”What the fuck am I saying?“Any people you care for very much in your life?”
Asher’s jaw flexes. “A few. One comes to mind in particular. I’m very lucky to have her.”
Once again, I’m struck by the indomitable urge to set that woman, whoever she is, onfire. It’s completely unreasonable and illogical; Asher is barely civil towards me, and that’s a recent development. I should have no reason to vehemently hate whoeversheis.
“I’m glad to hear that.” I force a tight smile. “Maybe she can help you remove the stick lodged permanently up your ass.”
“Smartass.” He sobers. “Sit with me tomorrow on the plane? I want to talk about whatever weird shit your program spits out.”
“I think I’m supposed to sit with Ethan—”
“I’ll take the heat from Ilya. Sit with me.” He pauses. “Please.”
I’m powerless to resist that, so I nod. “It’s a—”not date, because he’s obviously dating someone and thinks you are as well,“—plan.”
Chapter Nineteen
Asher
“Back thefuckoff.” I glare at Elio, whose eyes are firmly pasted on Victoria’s ass as she trots up the staircase and disappears into the depths of the plane. Only when she’s out of sight does he give me a bored look.
“Or what?”
“Or you’re going to have a littleaccidentthat prevents you from driving on Sunday.” I bare my teeth at him. “Something like going skydiving off our plane. Without the parachute.”
Elio’s brows furrow as he examines me. Then, a lazy, knowing grin spreads on his smug face. I have never come this close to actually committing an act of public violence inyears.
“You have it bad for her,” he says. “That’s… very interesting.” His eyes narrow. He might be affecting an air of vague curiosity, but I know he’ll only use what he learns against me. I’d bet that’s the whole reason he’s been hanging around Victoria in the first place. “Isshethe reason you didn’t drive like complete shit in the sim?”
“No,” I snap.
“If you say so.” Elio considers me for several beats. Then, he smiles, but it’s not a kind gesture. More like aI know your secret. “Enjoy the flight, Lawrence.”
“Stay away from my intern, Santori.”
He doesn’t respond. My hands curl into fists.
I have no reasonable basis for wanting to kill him over checking out the intern. She made itabundantlyclear her interest in me was nonexistent when she refused to tell me she was out with herbrotherwhen I saw her in the restaurant.
