Reckless Abandon(98)

I roll my eyes. Boys.

I punch in the code and open the door. The lights inside are on and before I can even think about how it’s a waste of electricity leaving them on when no one is home, I realize, someone is home.

What the . . .

“What are you doing here?”

Malory Dean is standing in the middle of the great room with her arms crossed, a black folder in her hands and a very serious expression on her face.

“I should be asking you the same thing. How did you get up here?” I ask.

She scowls at me as if I should know the answer to that. I don’t, so I scowl back.

“Why won’t you leave him alone?” My question is slow stated, each word emphasized.

This causes Malory to half-laugh and lift her chin in pride. “Before whatever escapade the two of you have been on, I am the one who kept his bed warm at night. For three years I was the one who kept his f*cking head on straight.”

I know better than to let an old flame ruin what Alexander and I have. “You’re a bitter ex-girlfriend. Why should I listen to a thing you say?”

Malory’s cheeks flush. She is not happy with my defiance. “Because in eight days he is about to make the biggest mistake of his life and it’ll be all your fault.” Her words hit me like a brick. I have no idea what she is talking about and it is killing me. “He didn’t tell you, did he? Asher and his f*cking games. He thinks he has something to prove to this goddamn world.”

She releases her arms from around her chest and then leans on her hip. Her stance is open as if she is trying to explain something to me yet sighs as if explaining it to me is beneath her. “Did he tell you his real name?”

I nod.

“According to Edward Asher’s will, Alexander Gutierrez will no longer exist. In order to inherit Asher Industries he has to legally drop his surname. The old man would have made him change his first name, if he could.”

My head sways from left to right. That is not something Alexander would ever do. He loves his parents. Even though he could never speak of them, they were held so tightly within his heart, he could never let them go. And he won’t now. “I don’t get it. His grandfather died over a year ago. Why would Alexander change his name now?”

Malory tisks at me. “Because then he loses it all. Don’t you get it? Edward Asher wrote in his will that Alexander had eighteen months to change his name or else he inherits nothing. You see this?” She motions dramatically to the space around us. “If he doesn’t sign those papers in five days, he loses everything. I don’t understand what the big f*cking deal is. It’s just a name. It doesn’t change who you are.”

A name might not mean anything to Malory but to Alexander, it means the world. He has to choose between being his father’s son and his grandfather’s heir. From everything I’ve heard about the old man, it’s proof he is as cold as I thought he was. He took in a ten year-old boy and didn’t let him speak of his parents. He wouldn’t even refer to him as Alexander, but rather by his middle name, Asher. Of course that made Edward happy. He was being called Asher all this time. Being brainwashed into being what the old man wanted him to be.

Makes you wonder why Edward Asher didn’t just change Alexander’s name all those years ago when he had the chance. No, this way is far more powerful. He is making Alexander choose on his own, as an adult, what is more important to him. Wealth or family.

It is quite possibly the most evil thing I have ever heard.

And I want nothing to do with it.

“What does it matter what I say? This is his decision. Not mine.”

Malory rubs her lips together and takes her time before she utters these words. “I think it’s time you dropped the charade. You and I both know you’re only in it for one thing. One billion things.”

My teeth clench at the insinuation. “I don’t want his money. I’d love him if he had nothing.”

“Well, then, you’re an idiot. Asher is not capable of love. And he is certainly not capable of existing without this lifestyle. If you let him do this he will wake up one day and regret it. I promise you he will hate you for the rest of his life. Is that what you want? A man who can’t stand the sight of you?”

“Then he doesn’t have to give it up. If this is what he wants—”

“So you don’t want him to give up the empire?”

“I never said that.”

“You just did.”

“I . . . stop putting words in my mouth! Whether he keeps it or doesn’t makes no difference to me.” I’m irate and in a rage.

Malory on the other hand is satisfyingly cool. “Oh, Emma. Don’t you see? It could never work between the two of you. If he gives up the empire, he’ll resent you. If he keeps it, he’ll always wonder if you are with him for the right reasons.”

“Why do you care what he chooses? It’s not your money?”

“Before you came along he was going to share it with me! I am the only one who understands him. There is no such thing as love in this world. All we have is respect. Alexander Asher is going to rule the world and I will be the one by his side.

“Now he’s thinking about giving it all up. And for what? To prove to himself you really love him for who he is and not what he has? It won’t work. You will leave him or he will leave you. When your relationship falls apart, and it will, I will be the one to pick up the pieces. I am always the one to pick up the pieces. But if you leave him, and he has nothing, well, then I’ll have no reason to help him back up will I?”