Page 76 of Ruthless Heir

“I’ll do my best to cheer you up,” she promises and smiles again. “This too shall pass and there will be better days ahead.”

“Thank you.”

It’s times like these when I realize how much I miss my mother, but I’m grateful for people like Olga who impart wisdom and inspiration on people like me who need to hear it. Need tofeelit.

She takes her leave and I’m surprised that I feel a little better. It’s just momentary, though. I still have to face the music.

I eat the cookies and drink the coffee before I take a quick shower and put on some more comfortable clothes. Then I stop stalling and summon the courage to face Asher.

I find him in the living room dressed in his usual business attire. He’s sorting through some paperwork but stops when he sees me and sits straighter.

As we stare at each other a wave of shame crashes over me again, tightening my throat. My stomach churns with that awful regret, the sensation twisting deeper with each second of silence that stretches between us.

“Morning,” he finally greets me in a voice that thankfully doesn’t sound as mad as last night.

That gives me hope. “Morning. Olga said you wanted to see me but I was going to come and find you anyway.”

“Sit.” He points to the space on the sofa next to him.

I make my way over and sit, folding my hands in my lap. I stare at him, deep into those blue eyes I could get lost in. There’s so much I want to say but I don’t know where to start. I guess somewhere near the beginning of my problems would be the right place.

“Are you going to allow me to explain myself?” I ask, searching his eyes.

He gives me a thin stare. “Is there any point in explaining?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m a slut. The Dark Odyssey is the last place I would have gone to if I’d had a choice.”

“But you had a choice. You could have come to me.”

“I don’t want to go running to you for everything.”

“So you thought the more dangerous option was better?” His brow furrows and heat floods my face, burning my cheeks with the unmistakable flush of humiliation.

“It wasn’t about that. It was about figuring out my problems on my own and not turning to you or Josh. Please tell me you can understand that.”

He bites down hard on his lip and eventually nods. “I understand but tell me you understand my point, too. Danger should never be an option. I also hate the fact that you know that Vito guy.”

“I didn’t want to know him. He was someone Nick knew. Believe me I’ve learned my lesson.”

“I really hope so, Harper. I really do.” He swallows hard then levels me a crude stare. “I paid Vito.”

My spirits lift and for the first time since Nick went to prison I feel light. Like I can be myself again and live.

“Oh, Asher. Thank you so much.” My voice is heavy with emotion and I can’t stop the little tear of gratitude that rolls down my cheek. “I will pay you back.”

“Well, that’s the part I want to talk to you about.”

“If you want me to do the PR job and work off the money I'm totally open to that. Or anything else you want me to do.” I owe himbigtime.

“I need you to do something for me but it won’t be work of that sort. We’ll keep that separate.”

“Okay, what do you want me to do?” I study his face, wondering what he’s going to say.

“This has to do with my …marriage.”

My insides deflate and I try to hide my sullen mood. I pray he doesn’t ask me to help his bride-to-be or something like that.

“I don’t have a fiancée,” he confesses, erasing all my prior worries. But now I’m very confused.

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