Page 43 of Ruthless Heir

It will be great to see her. Daniela has been my teacher since I was five.

We haven’t seen each other since before I started college. It will also be good to step back into the music world and be the version of myself I’ve longed to be, if only for a few hours.

People say that it’s good to do something every day that makes you happy. These days I find that the little things I always took for granted are my happy things.

The past has taught me that you need to enjoy what you have when you have it because you don't know what dangers lurk in the shadows.

Violin lessons might be the last thing I should be thinking about with the trouble I’m in, but every week is so different for me. Nothing is the same even from one day to the next let alone one week.

I pick up the violin and play the first piece that comes to my mind—Bach’s Concerto No.2 Adagio.

As the notes flow from my fingers and ripple into the air I allow myself to get lost in the melodious sound. I release my worries with it.

The money, the problems, Asher.

Asher… No, he lingers like always, clinging to the corners of my mind and my heart, confusing the hell out of me.

No matter who I meet he’s the only man who’s ever had such a hold on me.

I wish he didn’t. My life would be so much easier if he meant nothing to me and were simply my brother’s best friend.

“Thank you, universe. Please kick me some more while I’m already flat on my face in the dirt.” I scowl at my phone, glaring at the Uber app which is still telling me that there are no drivers available.

Ugh. This would have to happen today of all the days wouldn’t it? When I’m doing the onelittlething I was looking forward to.

I have two hours to get to Daniella’s apartment in Lower Manhattan. There are no Ubers, Beth is at work, and all the other taxi companies are either booked up or backed up because of the intense morning rush hour traffic.

My car is being delivered in the next few days but Daniela can only do Tuesdays at ten. I didn't want to miss my first lesson or reschedule for next week.

Maybe Olga can drive me. I’m supposed to ask her for whatever I need. Since I’ve been here I’ve asked for very little.

Granted that’s because Olga hasn't exactly been friendly toward me. But to be honest, I’ve kept my distance.

She seems to be the type to judge and I don’t know what Asher might have told her about me. That aside, if I want to get to my lesson today she’s my best chance.

With that in mind I leave the room and make my way toward the kitchen where I know she usually is at this hour. When I turndown the hallway I spot Rachel walking toward me. She’s one of the nicer maids.

“Morning, Rachel,” I greet her with a slight wave of my hand. “Is Olga around?”

“No. She's gone to the market. She won't be back until later."

Darn it. I’m too late.I stare back at Rachel and wonder if she can help. “Is there any chance you could do me a huge favor and drop me off in the city?”

Rachel's shoulders slump. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I would say yes but I have a few deliveries to wait for. Asher is here, though. I'm sure he'd love to take you.”

My eyes instinctively widen. “Asher is here at this hour? I thought he would've left for work already.” Yesterday I swore he left at the crack of dawn.

Rachel chuckles. “His schedule changes like the wind, my love. He's out by the pool. Go on. Go ask him for a ride. I'm sure it'll be fine." She gives me a little smile then saunters away.

After yesterday’s drama I don't want to ask Asher for anything. I was planning on not speaking to him again for a long,longtime. But as it stands, either I swallow my pride and my annoyance at him and ask for a lift, or I cancel my lesson with Daniela.

Thinking of the latter depresses me. But so does asking Asher for a ride.

The longer I wait, the more time I waste.

Damn it. I’ll just ask him. If he agrees I’ll only have to be in the car with him for a little over an hour tops. That’s definitely not as bad as the hellish ride from Massachusetts.

Dragging in a deep breath, I force my legs to move and head down to the pool.

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