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Max had his arms wrapped around Mia, and the room emptied except for them, Kade, and Asha.
“Are you okay?” Kade grumbled, rubbing his hands up and down her arms and scrutinizing her face. “Fuck! I wanted to kill the bastard, but I think you’ve witnessed enough violence in your life.”
“I didn’t see you come in,” she commented softly, still trying to calm down the whole situation.
“I walked in just a few minutes before the bastard raised his hand to you.”
“You’re still fast,” Max said, looking at Kade gratefully. “I wouldn’t have made it quick enough.” He left Mia’s side long enough to hug Asha, whispering quietly, “I’m so proud of you. I know it wasn’t easy to stand up to them. You did great.”
Strangely, it wasn’t all that difficult, but she blushed at Max’s compliment. Maybe she was getting some gumption, or maybe she was just finally able to define the line between right and wrong. “It was past time. Thank you for helping the foster child they were planning on marrying off. I’d like to give you some money to help her.”
Max drew back and shook his head. “Not happening. She’s a sweet girl and she’ll make a wonderful teacher. I’m happy to help her. I’ve already set her up with everything she needs for her education and expenses. She’s fine, Asha.”
“Then I want to set up an organization of some kind. To help other abused women get free. It was something I wanted to talk to you about. You’re a great investor. Can you help me invest the money my father gave me so I can carry on his legacy?” she asked Max hopefully.
“Already done. The foundation has even been named after your father.” It was Kade who spoke this time. “And it’s well-funded at the moment.”
“But I want to do something,” Asha objected. “I want to give something.”
“Harrison set it up and it’s funded by several billionaires. But we could use your volunteer time,” Max told her quietly.
“You set this up?” Asha questioned Kade, her heart thundering as she looked at him. He looked tired, dark circles marring the skin under his eyes and lines of tension showing on his face.
Kade shrugged. “We all did. Max, Travis, Sam, Simon, and I are the primary donors.”
“That’s incredible. I don’t know how to thank you all.” She looked from Mia and Max to Kade, tears of gratitude in her eyes. “But what about my funds? Won’t they help?”
Max grinned at her. “We have other donors lined up. I think you need to invest it for your future.”
“I’ll help you,” Kade grunted.
Max nodded. “You’re good. Maybe better than I am,” Max agreed a little grudgingly.
“I want to learn to do it myself,” Asha commented stubbornly.
“I’ll teach you,” Kade assented. “I’ll just advise while you’re learning.”
Asha nodded eagerly. “Thank you.”
The tension between her and Kade was almost palpable, and although she wanted to see him, being near him was difficult. “I should go. I’m sure you came to visit Max.” She hugged Mia and kissed Max on the cheek. “Thank you. For everything.”
“We’re family. I know you aren’t used to having family, but get used to it. We’ll be meddling in your business all the time,” Max answered with an arrogance and confidence of a man who planned on being her protector for life.
Mia elbowed Max in the ribs. “But only in a good way,” she rushed to add.
Asha laughed, her joy at having people who really cared about her too difficult to hold inside her. “I’ll work on getting used to it,” she agreed. “Oh. I forgot. Do you have anyone who can help me change my tire? I think it’s flat. I have a spare, but I’m not sure I have the equipment I need to change it.”
“That your old car out there in front of the house with a flat tire?” Kade asked irritably.
“Yes,” she admitted.
“I’ll help you. Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand abruptly and strode out of the house, making her jog behind to keep up.
Asha sighed, knowing she was about to have her second crucial confrontation of the day, except this one wouldn’t just wound her feelings—it would rupture her heart.
Asha stopped abruptly, slamming into Kade’s massive body as they arrived outside, the door closing quietly behind them. He’d halted unexpectedly right outside the door and crowded her against the wall right next to the door. He leaned into her, his chest heaving, one hand against the wall on both sides of her body, effectively trapping her.
“I swore I wasn’t going to do this,” he said in a husky, desperate voice, his eyes boring into hers, his forehead damp with sweat. “I swore I wasn’t going to react when I saw you again. Why the hell should I care about a woman who doesn’t give a shit about me?” One of his hands fisted and slammed against the wooden exterior of Max’s house in a gesture of frustration.