Page 47 of Beyond Rosy Irish Twilight

“It’s our money.”

“No, technically, it’s your money. Actually, it’s probably blood money. And as much as I want nothing to do with that, I don’t exactly have a job yet.”

“You don’t need a fucking job to buy things. I’ll provide for you.”

“That’s really sweet,” I said, trying not to throw the lamp at him. “But let’s not pretend you actually want to do that. You’ll do your thing and I’ll do mine. Aside from seeing my father occasionally, I doubt we’ll see each other very much.”

I picked up my bag and walked past him, being careful not to bump into him as I passed. As I stepped out into the sunshine, I took a deep breath and congratulated myself on holding it together for as long as I had. It was killing me inside to act like I didn’t give a shit. Just once in my adult life, I wanted someone to love me. But it was clear now that was never going to happen, so I was going to have to push on and make my own way in the world.

Starting with picking up where I left off two years ago.

19

ASHER

She really fucking hated me now. Why had I said all that shit? I didn’t mean any of it. I actually liked Jade, but I was terrified of getting too close to her. Not because I was scared of her breaking my heart or something stupid like that. I was terrified that her father would see through my cool demeanor toward her and see that I was actually starting to care about her. Then he would have a powerful weapon against me, one that could get us both killed.

“—and the last shipment was successful. No complaints by anyone. They’ll place another order soon.”

I rubbed my thumb across my lip as I watched Jade read a book as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Her skirt flowed around her thighs, draping over the seat in a tantalizing way that had me wishing I could kick everyone out of here and spread those gorgeous thighs. She flicked her foot up and down until her flip flop fell to the ground. She didn’t even bother to get it. Her small toes wiggled with the freedom, making my dick twitch. Everything about her was so fucking sexy, and she wasn’t even trying.

“So, I said that we’d give them a free shipment of twenty crates for their loyalty,” Chase added.

I nodded, “Sounds good.”

“Yeah, I figured you’d have no problem losing millions of dollars on this deal.”

I snapped my attention to him and frowned. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

He grinned and nodded to Jade. “You could just go talk to her.”

I glared at him, pissed that he could see right through me. “Why don’t you shut the fuck up?”

He snorted at me. “Man, your insults are getting really shitty. You’ll have to work on that.”

Patrick walked down the aisle, wobbling as the plane shook slightly. “Man, I fucking hate flying.” He dropped down into the seat beside me, letting out a large sigh. “So, what’s the plan for when we return home? Are you putting me in, boss?”

“This isn’t fucking baseball.”

“I know, but I always wanted to say it.”

“You’re doing exactly the same fucking job and you know it.”

“Yeah, I know,” he groaned. “I get all the sucky jobs. First, I was the driver with that stupid hat. Now, I’m a personal bodyguard. You know how much I hate that.”

“Are you really fucking complaining right now?” I snapped.

He turned and grinned at me. “Nah, I love my job. It’s so much better than yours.” He jerked his head at Jade. “She’s so fucking cool.” Then he leaned in and whispered to me. “This morning, she came out of the shower and dropped her towel right in front of me.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. He was acting like that was something to be proud of, but she was my fucking wife. The last thing he needed was to see her naked.

“Yeah, she just walked around without a care in the world, stark naked. Let me tell you, that is one fine body.”

My hands gripped the armrests, nearly crumbling them under the pressure I was squeezing. I knew he was taunting me. He wanted to see how far he could push me, but I wouldn’t give in. I’d made up my mind, and the only way I could see forward for us was if she and I were mere strangers that were married.

I unbuckled and stormed toward the front of the plane, not wanting to talk to Patrick anymore. He’d only piss me off. I grabbed the plastic that divided the cockpit from the rest of the plane and tore it off. Scottie turned to me suspiciously.

“You’re bold, coming to sit with the guy that pukes.”

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