Page 17

I held my breath, trying to stifle a flippant response, but failed.

No one spoke to my mother this way.

I stood, refusing to let the asshole tower over me. I saw Ashur move from my peripheral vision and shook my head. It was my place to handle this.

“Don’t ever disrespect my mother again. I’ve let you think less of me and talk down to my family and me for too long. I accepted it for the sake of Dad’s job, and we know how well that turned out. Then it was for Ashur, but it ends now.” I cocked a hand on my hip and stepped forward, making Minesh retreat. “Don’t ever treat anyone I love like they’re trash again. And let me make another thing clear in case your ego keeps you from seeing clearly. Samina has a relationship with me and my parents, where she doesn’t have one with you. Did you actually expect the daughter you disowned and threw out of your house and refused to see to even consider contacting you? The only reason you’re in this building is because of your wife.”

The grooves on Minesh’s face grew deeper and more pronounced. He turned to Ashur, pointing his finger at him. “Are you going to allow her to speak to me like this?”

“She hasn’t said anything any of us haven’t thought at least a hundred times in the last year.” Ashur moved in my direction as a cold gleam entered his eyes.

Oh shit. That was the expression he got when he was about to take someone down with a few choice words. It was the look he’d gotten when his predecessor had questioned Ashur’s military service during a presidential debate.

I’d better defuse Ash before the world learned what he really thought of his father.

When he was next to me, I took his hand in mine and whispered, “Thanks for having my back.”

“We’re a team.” He ran a thumb along the skin on the outside of my hand. “Plus, I like watching you take charge, Commander.”

Really? Was he calling me that in the middle of an argument with his father?

“Where is your loyalty, boy? I am still your father.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but Ashur squeezed my fingers. “You had your say. Now it’s my turn. I know how to handle him.”

“Fine.” I released an exasperated sigh. “Handle it your way. Just don’t get any blood on the antique rugs.”

“I’ll do my best not to.” He turned to Minesh but continued to hold my hand. “Papa, it is time to decide if you want to be part of our lives or not. Tara isn’t going anywhere. She will be the mother of your grandchildren. If you ever want to see them, you better watch your tongue and actions. I learned how to be ruthless at your knee—don’t think I won’t use it against you.”

The room grew completely silent with only the sound of the air conditioner blowing.

Holy fuck, Ashur had just threatened his father. Was I in a parallel universe?

“I see where I stand in this family.” Minesh broke the quiet standoff between father and son.

“You do. Now—” Ashur tucked my arm in the crook of his elbow. “I believe it is time for dinner. Papa, you can join us or you can leave. The choice is yours.”

With those words, Ashur led me out of a stunned room.