“There isn’t time,” I say.
She slams her hand on the emergency stop again and the elevator jolts. “Make time.”
“My father and a man your father are acquaintances with is behind it and that’s what I’m here to figure out.”
I expect her to throw a fit, to cry, to do something, but she surprisingly composes herself, steps away from the door, and hits the button again. The elevator descends again, and she stands next to me and our arms touch, just enough to reassure me that she’s there, but also for it to look casual.
“I hope you’re wrong.”
“Me too, baby.” But Sebastian is never wrong when it comes to what he finds. If my dad is behind this, if he is friends with Richard, if he knew about Grace, then I have no doubt about this situation. “I think your dad is innocent in all this and is being set up by my father. Don’t worry, I’m going to find out.”
“Wait, Richard?” she slaps her hand on the button again and I groan. Jesus, at this rate, the party is going to be over and our lead will be gone. “Uncle Richard?”
Fuck. Sebastian curses in the earpiece. I had forgotten they have been there the entire time, which means they heard everything.
I’ll worry about that later.
“What the hell did you just say? Uncle Richard? How did I not know about him? I don’t remember meeting him. He didn’t start coming around until a few years before Grace died. Why?”
“Don’t tell her.”
I grind my teeth at Sebastian’s input. I have to tell her. I have to be honest. “Grace is your half-sister. I don’t know the entire story, but Richard was her father, and he was sending money to your mom up until the night she died. Me and the guys have come across him before. He’s a dangerous man with a lot of money. I had no idea he was tied into our lives so much.”
“Mom said she was adopted, but we were too similar.” The signs of her about to cry begin, but she holds it in. “My parents have been married for too long for that to be possible, right?”
I want to lie to her, but I press the button to take us down to the party, knowing damn good and well, she’s about to look at her parents in a new light.
Tell me again, how am I good for her when I’m ruining her life right now?
Thirteen
Heather
We walk out of the elevator together, and I’m in a haze. I believe every word Asher is telling me because he has no reason to lie. He hasn’t lied so far, so why would he start now?
He sticks out his elbow before we enter through the French doors. “Shall we?” he asks.
I slide my hand around his arm and grab onto his thick bicep. “What am I going to tell people? I didn’t tell my parent I came with a date.”
“Say we met in the elevator and you kissed the life out of me,” he teases and the bright orbs of his eyes glitter with mirth.
“I could say that, but I think it will be better if we met in the gardens over a glass of wine.”
“Fine,” he rolls his eyes. “If you insist.” He leans down and whispers in my ear, “I like the other story more because your kisses are delicious.”
The doormen pull the handles of the large doors that stretch from the floor to the ceiling, opening them to reveal a massive party. Soft music is playing in the background and no one is dancing, but everyone is talking. As we step into the room, it’s my turn to whisper out of the side of my mouth, “I’m sorry, Sir. But I’ve only just met you. You’re Ryan Sinclair, are you not?”
“Cheeky,” he says. “I like that the most about you, you know. I’m glad you’re finding it again.” He bends down and gives me a soft peck on my cheek. “I’ll help you find every single part of yourself, Ms. Thomas, even if it is the last thing I ever do in this world.”
I’m speechless, wishing we were back in that elevator and away from this lame party. I’m ready to be alone with Asher. Sure, some might say it is too soon, but I’ve waited so long to feel like this, to want to give myself to someone, and I’m not going to let the fear of a man who is dead stop me from living the rest of my life.
I’m conquering myself tonight. I’m a new woman.
Asher’s woman.
My mom waves at me from across the room and she notices the man attached to my arm. She nudges my dad and leans in to tell him and his eyes dart from the person he is speaking with, to me. The smile fades from his face and even from here I can see his lips move and say ‘excuse me’ as he walks toward me with mom on his arm.
“Oh, fuck,” Asher curses, but I don’t think he has anything to worry about. He is wearing a mask and they aren’t going to recognize him.