Page 48 of Restrained

“Yes.”

His jaw tightens, and I see darkness brewing, battling with the light. This is why I didn’t want him and Viv together because of this look on him... He looks way too much like our father.

“I’m not here to see either one of them. I’m here for Baz.”

Great.I take a deep breath and look him in the eyes. “Baz isn’t here.”

The fury inside him only intensifies. “What the fuck do you mean he’s not here?”

“He’s at Mom’s house. He stayed the night with her.”

He scoffs, and I hate the bitterness I hear in his tone. “So they could fuck? That’s great. Why did he have to go to Mom’s? You couldn’t watch them while Sawyer spent a couple of minutes inside Viv?”

“Asher...” I hate when he gets like this.

“What?”

“Viv is a good mother, and you know it. Don’t do that.”

On the outside, I know he seems like a grown man, but my brother has so much growing up to do. “I never said she wasn’t.”

“I know, but it kills her to be away from Baz. She didn’t just pawn him off on Mom so she could get laid. She let our mom take Baz so Mom could spend time with him. She trusts few people with that kid.”

He looks vulnerable as he swallows tight and grits his teeth. “I miss him.”

I pull him into a hug, trying like hell to comfort him. “I know. He misses you too. A lot. He talks about you every single day.”

Asher hugs me back, holding me to him. “When is he supposed to be home?”

“I’m not sure, but we’re all supposed to have dinner together, so you’ll come over for that. Okay?”

He releases me and tries to steel himself, trying like hell not to show any emotion, but I see it. “Okay. But not with fuckface.”

“I’m assuming that’s Sawyer?” He gives a curt nod. “Fine.” I look down at my phone, noting the time. “I have to go meet with a client. Where are you staying?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I guess a hotel.”

“Penelope and Linc would gladly let you stay there.” I feel like an ass. “You know I would if...”

He shakes his head, raising a hand to silence me. “No. To both. A hotel is fine.”

“Well, you could go to Mom’s. Go see Baz there. I don’t think Viv would mind. Just text her first and make sure.”

He nods his head. “Yeah, fine.”

“Do it now, and I'll give you a ride.”

He waves me off again. “Nah. Go to your meeting.”

I look over my shoulder nervously, looking back at my house. “I don’t think I should leave you here.”

“Jesus Christ, Lola. I’m not a fucking animal. I’m not going to go in there and pound the shit out of that fucker.”

“Yeah. Real convincing, Ash.”

He rolls his eyes and takes out his phone. A moment later it pings with a message, and he shows me.

Viv gave him permission to go visit Baz at Mom’s house.

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