Page 31 of Ruthless Heir

Asher assumes his business persona and the lightheartedness he previously displayed is gone. Gone as if he’s been split in two and the evil twin version of himself has taken over.

“I’d like to know where you are if you’re out after ten.”

What the hell? I’ve never had a curfew. “Do I get to know where you are if you’re not in by ten?”

“Yes,” he replies in a stiff tone. “You’re also welcome to go wherever you like in the house except my office, my bedroom and the bigger garage. I’ll get you a car so you’re not taking public transport.”

“I can get an Uber if I need to go out.” I don’t want him to spend any money on me.

“Ubers cost money, especially around here. It’s also a long way into the city. In traffic, the price can go up. Having a car will be cheaper and you can go wherever you want.”

“But you don’t have to?—”

“I’m getting you a car.” His voice is firmer and the look in his eyes tells me not to fight him.

“Okay, thank you. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

“You don’t have to pay me back. I’m a busy man. I promised Josh I’d take care of you. I don’t have time for extra worries so knowing you have a car is a benefit to me as much as it is for you.”

I don’t know how to respond to that. Or how to feel. Yes, a car would be great but it definitely sounds like it’s more for hisbenefit, so I don’t burden him the way a child would withextra worries.

“Okay.” I’m starting to sound like a mindless robot now, programmed to answer with one to three words. “Anything else?”

“I’m sure I don’t have to ask you to keep the place tidy. I have a good team of maids here but I’ve always prided myself on not giving them more than their fair share of work.”

I won’t remind him that he and Josh shared a room at Princeton and I remember the place looked like they were raising livestock.

“I’m a very tidy person so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Just making sure you know how I treat my staff.”

“Anythingelse?”

“There will be weeks when I’ll be away on business. I still expect you to let me know where you are whether I’m in or out of the country.” His expression turns stonier, like a statue. “I’d also like to know who you bring in the house at all times. Of course, I don’t mean Beth. She can come whenever she wants. I meananyoneelse.”

“Like men?” I throw back because I don’t know why he doesn’t just say what he means when it’s obvious that’s what he’s talking about.

“Yes, like men.”

“I’m not a child, Asher. I haven’t been one in a very long time. I know how to behave in someone else’s home.”

“I’m sure you do but your choice in men is questionable. This is a hoodlum-free zone.”

Great. We’re back to square one. And he’s right back in the asshole crew again.

It serves me right for thinking we’d gotten off to a good start and that he could be nice to me.

Chapter Seven

Asher

Harper looks like she wants to rip my eyes out.

I know I pulled another asshole move by being outright rude to her and spoiling the good rapport we had going. But what I said needed to be said.

I never met Nick but Josh told me enough about him from before the guy even went rogue.

I understood that Josh would be worried because he’s Harper’s brother but there never seemed to be anything likable about Nick from the beginning. The first thing I thought about him was that he was shady as fuck with his contacts in the music world and the underground. I turned out to be right.

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