Page 82 of The Last Strike

Asher grinned. “How was it?” he asked, stepping forward to brush his lips over her forehead.

“The meeting was great, but this one decided she didn’t want to eat anything prepared for her. She threw a tantrum and screamed when she didn’t want to be dressed in the clothes I had packed for her. And then she literally snapped the head off her Barbie.” Abi’s eyes widened as she shook her head at her daughter. “You’re staying with your father in the future.”

Asher chuckled as his lips brushed over Abi’s forehead. “Just think, in six months there’ll be another one.”

“Kill me now,” she said with a choked laugh.

Asher chuckled. “I love you. How worried do you think we should be about her decapitating her doll?” he asked jokingly. He was sure it had been an accident, but he would keep an eye out for future doll decapitations.

He cupped Charlotte’s chin, and she lifted her eyes up to him, giving him a charming smile.

“She’s manipulative,” Abi said.

Asher laughed. “She’s an angel.”

“Okay, let’s see if you say that after your next business trip—because you will be taking her with you,” Abi said sweetly as she raised an expectant eyebrow.

He looked back to Charlotte. “Are you going to be good for Daddy?”

She nodded innocently.

“Here, let me take this little angel for a few hours while you two have lunch,” William said, looking between them.

Abi was quick to nod.

Asher passed her to William. Charlotte cupped his chin like Asher had just done to her, asking him, “Are you going to be good for me?”

Asher couldn’t hold back the laughter.

“I mean ...” Abi shook her head, laughing. “Let’s get out of here,” she said under her breath.

Asher grinned, taking her hand.

“Thank you,” he said, nodding at William before they left.

When they stepped out into the hallway, Asher led Abi to the dining room, grateful when Jesse and Reed exited, leaving them alone.

He drew her in and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I missed you,” he said as she parted her lips for him.

“I was only gone three nights,” she said.

“Three nights too many,” Asher said, tightening his arms around her. “Seriously, though, how were your meetings?”

“They were really good. The hostage numbers are lower than they have been in years. We still don’t know for sure, but since Khalil’s death they have plummeted—so, we are more confident that his alias was indeed Madobe, which is both sickening and horrifying. But the good news is that with Lamberi and Madobe gone, activity has decreased. Yes, women are still being taken, but villages aren’t being terrorized and all of their women and children taken hostage. Rachel and Theodora are leading IFRT well. It’s a good partnership. I’m proud of them.”

Asher searched her eyes. “Do you miss it?” he asked, watching her carefully.

“No,” she answered without hesitation. “I am fulfilled in other ways. The women’s abuse and economic initiatives I set up have been incredibly successful thus far, and they are really an extension of IFRT. Instead of rescuing women from hostage situations, we’re rescuing women from domestic violence and giving them the economic knowledge and tools to earn their own money and provide for their families. It is just as rewarding as my work with IFRT. And, not to mention, I have our beautiful devil child who drives me insane for twenty hours a day—but I’m madly in love with her anyway. It is more than enough to keep me busy. I love our life together, Asher. It’s more than I could’ve dreamed of.”

Asher’s heart swelled. He wanted his family to be safe and happy, and for Abi to not feel burdened by her royal duties.

“So, I thought more about a nanny and I came up with a solution. What about Lena?” Abi asked. “She’s going to university in the new year, so it’ll be perfect timing. The university is only thirty minutes from the palace and she can be an extra set of hands when we need her. I think it’s a good compromise,” she said.

Asher grinned. Abi had been resistant to a nanny, but this last business trip might’ve played a part in swaying her.

“I think that’s a great idea,” he said, putting his hand on her small bump. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired, but otherwise good. I think it’s another girl,” Abi said.

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