Page 117

The security guards pass by me, and I watch them go.

As a kid watching her mother have a meltdown in a public parking lot, I’m scared. As an adult watching this drama unfold, it’s kind of funny.

Who’s dramatic now?

Asher moves toward them but pauses when I don’t join him.

His eyes move between mine with a frown.

“You don’t want to talk to her.”

His firm assurance is backed up by my nod.

“I think I’ve heard plenty out of her. I’m not interested in whatever this is.”

“If she keeps this up, I’m going to get a restraining order,” Poe tells him flatly.

“Do it,” Asher says without hesitation.

My lips part in surprise at his angry vehemence.

His frigid mask falters as he admits, “I talked to Pa about it. He agreed. If she can’t keep control of herself, then she needs to stay away.”

“He’s here with her,” I point out with a raised brow.

“She took the car and his phone. We picked him up.” Asher glares at Valerie with a lot of disgust. “Let security drag her away or call the cops. Maybe it will knock some sense into her.”

I’m gaping now.

He’s going to let some stranger manhandle Valerie into her car? While he watches? Is the sky still blue?

“Who are you?” I ask in disbelief.

His eyes meet mine, his scowl on point. I cross my arms with my own glare.

“Don’t you look at me like that, Asher Florent Br-”

He interrupts my usual lecture before I can really get started.

“I’m your brother. The one who’s always looked up to you and wished I could be that strong. I love you, and she tried to tear you away from me. She can act like a fool somewhere else. I have a lot of explaining to do. And so doyou, by the way. You got fucking married? To this uptight prick?”

Tears overflow my eyes as Poe scoffs.

“Be nice to my dog,” I choke out.

“Stop crying,” Asher snaps. Before I know it, his arms are around me in a fierce hug that’s strangling. It squeezes the sobs out of me, I’m convinced.

I feel like I’m falling apart and being put back together at super speed. My emotions are all over the place, with happy shock and wary pain.

My arms hesitantly rise to go around his back. It’s the first hug I’ve given him that feels awkward. That makes the tears flow faster.

“Please don’t cry,” he whispers with his face hidden in my shoulder. “You’ve never cried before.”

“Happy tears,” I try to convince him.

“I don’t care.” He snaps back.

“I do what I want.”