Page 75 of Beyond Rosy Irish Twilight

“The only thing I’m struggling with is being cooped up in this house,” I said, pointing at the monstrosity in front of me. “When will I get to go out in public again? When are you going to find whoever’s doing this to us?”

“We’re working on it,” he said, his jaw going hard at my accusation.

“Maybe if you spent more time working on that instead of following me around a fully guarded house, you might actually make some progress.”

I stormed past him and headed inside. I hated myself for being so mean to a man that had only ever tried to help me. But I was lost and the desire to lash out at someone was growing by the minute.

“Jade,” Lock called out to me as I started up the stairs. I took a deep breath and turned to face him. “I need you to stay with Asher.”

“Why?” I snapped.

“Because he only agreed to stay in bed if you were there with him. He needs his rest, so I’m counting on you to help me with that.”

“Sure,” I said sarcastically. “I have nothing better to do around here.”

He walked forward, his muscles shifting dangerously with every step he took. For just a moment, I regretted being so mouthy with him. But then I remembered his kind eyes as he pulled me out of that motel room. He wasn’t like my father’s men. He wouldn’t hurt me.

“He needs this, Jade. I know it’s not ideal for you, and I’m sorry you’re being dragged into this, but it’s the only way I can see to make him rest.”

I nodded, feeling childish for snapping at him when he was only looking out for my husband.My husband.I laughed at how silly this all was. I definitely hadn’t imagined getting married to a man like Asher. In my dreams, my husband actually loved me. In reality, I knew that would never happen. But despite our disagreements, Asher was better to me than I ever imagined, and I could at least be grateful for that.

“I’ll take care of it,” I said, giving Lock a small smile.

Whatever was going on between me and Asher, none of these men deserved my anger. I had to push it aside and focus on what I could control. I finished the trek upstairs and gently opened the door in case Asher was asleep. His eyes immediately found mine, and what I saw in their depths was something I could only describe as hope.

I cleared my throat and stepped inside, feeling awkward about being here now that he was awake. “Lock said you wanted to see me.”

“He said I have to stay in bed,” he grimaced. “I thought if I had to stay here, you should have to stay here with me.”

“That’s so nice of you,” I said sarcastically.

He sighed and held out his hand to me. “We have things we need to discuss.”

I looked at his outstretched hand and for a moment, considered walking away just to spite him. My feelings for Asher were so conflicted. I liked him, I was attracted to him, but then he opened his big mouth and gave me a reason to hate him. I didn’t understand it. I wanted to trust him. I wanted to think that we could make something of this haphazard marriage, but it seemed like such a long shot.

Yet, he laid there holding out his hand to me.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to him and sat down, placing my hand in his. Something like relief crossed his face and he squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For taking care of me.” His eyes flicked to mine, and those dark eyes pinned me where I sat. “Lock said you refused to leave my side.”

I hadn’t expected Lock to tell him that. Not that it was a secret, but Asher seemed to think it meant something more. And maybe it did, but that was my secret.

“Well, you’re my husband, so…”

“It wasn’t that,” he called me out. “It was something more.”

I couldn’t look at him, not when his thumb was brushing over my hand in a rhythmic pattern that had me hypnotized. I hated when he was so nice to me. It always set me up for failure. I would sit here while he told me all these wonderful things, and then he would turn around and crush me. It was bound to happen.

I tried to yank my hand free, but he held tight. Finally, I looked at him again. “Close the door.”

“What?” I asked, surprised by the request.

“I need you to close the door.”

His hand slipped free of mine and I got up, doing as he asked, though I wasn’t sure why. When I returned, he was staring at the ceiling, gritting his teeth. “I need to tell you something, and I’m trusting that…that you won’t use it against me.”

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