Defender (Seattle Sharks 9)

“Just like Nicholas,” I finished for him.

He nodded. “I thought I was never going to talk to you again. That you’d slip away just like he did.”

I tried to put myself in his place. If it were Nixon in this bed, and a girl I didn’t know fucked with his helmet, if I’d had to call Mom...

“Shit,” I muttered, dropping my chin to my chest. “If it were you...I would have done the same. I would have thrown the woman out. Hell, I might have pressed charges. Mom could never survive losing you, and I thought by doing this, by testing this helmet, she’d never have to.”

“Nathan, your life is just as valuable as mine. Hell, you’re the better of us. Always have been.” He rested his head against the door. “I’m so sorry. I thought by sending Harper away, I was protecting you.”

“And I took unnecessary risks with my life for the very same reason.” I’d never thought of what it would do to him—to my parents, if Harper failed. I’d only thought of what they could gain when she succeeded.

“You’re both idiots!” Mom called through the door.

“I’m really glad I don’t live at home right now,” I said with a small smile.

“Ditto.” He echoed my expression. “Look, I’ll fix this. I’ll go to Charleston myself and beg for her forgiveness.”

“I’ll just call—”

“And I’ll tell her I’m an asshole, and I’ll get her back up here. I’ll get her back for you. Just give me a few hours.” He turned quickly and yanked the door open.

That wasn’t Mom standing in the doorway, his hand lifted like he was about to knock.

It was Asher Silas.

The guy was just as tall as Nixon but leaner than either of us. He lowered his hand, then looked from Nixon to me and tilted his head.

“You must be Nixon Noble,” he said to my brother before turning to me. “And that makes you, Nathan.”

He stepped into the room, and the connection hit me in a revelation that sent a chill down my spine. The way he tilted his head was the same. The way he took in the details of the room was the same, too, but those things meant almost nothing compared to his eyes.

They were the same, piercing kaleidoscope of hazel.

I’m probably closest to my older brother, but Ash is so busy lately. Harper’s words played back in my head.

“And you must be Harper’s brother,” I said.

His eyes widened for a second. “Yes, I am.” He turned back to Nixon. “Can I get a moment with your brother?”

“Look, it’s my fault, what happened with Harper—” Nixon started.

“Yeah, I heard it all in the hallway. You’re not exactly quiet.”

Nixon looked to me, and I nodded.

Asher slipped his hands in his pockets as Nixon closed the door behind him. “Have to say, hearing your brother admit to all of it really took the wind out of my sails. I had a great rant planned, and now I find that I’m at a loss for words.”

“Harper’s last name is Thompson,” I blurted. “Sorry, my head is still a little scrambled.”

Asher grinned. “Her last name is Thompson. So is mine, legally. Silas is my middle name, and once I founded Asher Silas Enterprises, the Thompson part didn’t matter in the media.”

Fascinating.

“You did that by design,” I guessed.

He did the head tilt again, no doubt assessing if I was worthy of an answer.

“I did.”

“Harper’s the same way. She has the need to prove herself without your parents’ help. She didn’t quite take it that far, though.”

“Harper doesn’t hold a grudge like I do, which might work in your favor seeing what’s happened.”

I stood, putting myself eye-level with the tech billionaire. “Look, I get it. You’re rich. You might even be almost as smart as Harper is. You’re the overprotective big brother here to rip me a new one. I respect that. I also love your sister. No, let me restate that. I’m wildly, madly, head-over-heels in love with your sister, and nothing will stop me from clearing this up.”

“Even if she’s using the tech for the Reapers?” he asked, his posture so still he was almost a statue. It was fucking unnerving.

“She can do whatever the fuck she wants with the helmet. I just want her heart.”

Asher grinned. “Okay, then. One, the tech will go on the market. Any parent, coach, or player who wants it will have access to it. Two, I have an idea. When are they letting you out of this hospital?”

“Tomorrow. Why?” Now I was the one staring him down.

“The Sharks released you?”

A muscle in my jaw ticked. “Yes. Again, why?”

“You’re a damn good defenseman, Nathan Noble.”

Chapter 22

Harper

“I was enjoying a perfectly good soak in your pool of a tub,” I complained as I followed Asher into what would soon be known as the Reaper Arena.