Burn (Breathless #3)(11)

She nodded slowly.

“I can get you a position in one of the hotels, but Brittany, you need to know. It would be a real job with real responsibilities. I can pull strings to get you hired, but if you aren’t doing the job, you don’t get to keep it. Understand?”

“I understand and thank you, Ash. I don’t know what to say. We—I—have been horrible to you.” Tears filled her eyes as she stared earnestly back at Ash. “They hate you because they can’t control you. And I’ve let them control me. Now that I’m not going to do that anymore, they’re going to hate me too.”

Ash reached across the desk and curled his hand around hers, squeezing reassuringly.

“You don’t need them, Brittany. You’re young and smart. You can make it on your own. You just need a little help to do that. But be prepared. You’re going to have to be strong. Our mother is a bitch, and she won’t hesitate to use every weapon in her arsenal on you as soon as she figures out what you’re doing.”

“Thanks,” she whispered. “I’ll pay you back somehow, Ash. I swear it.”

He squeezed her hand again. “The best thing you can do for me is to live your own life and don’t let them beat you down again. I’ll help. I’ll do what I can to shield you from that shit. But it’s going to take a lot of strength on your part as well. I’d like to think we could actually be family again.”

She curled both her hands around his, her eyes shining as she locked gazes with him. “I’d like that too, Ash.”

“Let me call Jace and see where he stands with the apartment. If we can’t get you into that one, we’ll have to take a look at what else is out there. Do you need me to go with you to get your stuff from Mom and Dad’s?”

She shook her head. “I packed everything. My clothes and stuff I mean. Nothing else to pack. I brought it with me. My suitcases are in the reception area here. I took a cab to your office. Wasn’t sure what I was going to do if you refused to see me.”

“Okay, then let me call Jace and we’ll get your bags. For tonight I’ll put you up in our hotel. I’m sure the apartment will need restocking. I’ll work on that today and also set up an account for you and deposit enough cash to get you through to your first paycheck. Take a few days to settle in and then come back to see me about that job. By then I’ll have something lined up for you.”

She rose and then was suddenly around the desk, throwing her arms around his neck. He caught her, rising from his chair, still holding on to her so she didn’t fall, and he returned her hug.

“You’re the best, Ash. God I’ve missed you. I’m so sorry for the way I’ve treated you. You have every right to kick me out and never see me again. I’ll never forget what you’re doing for me. Never.”

The fervency in her voice made Ash smile as he patiently waited for the hugfest to be over. Who would have thought today would bring his sister into his office for a family reunion of sorts. Gabe and Jace weren’t going to believe this one. Although it would be two weeks before Gabe knew anything.

Jace would likely think he’d lost his mind for helping his sister out. But Ash couldn’t just turn his back on her. Even if it was what his family had done to him. Brittany was still his little sister and perhaps this would be a new page for them. Ash didn’t like the estrangement between him and his family. But they’d given him no choice. He wanted what everyone else took for granted. A solid family unit. People who had his back. People who loved and supported him unconditionally.

He had that with Gabe and Jace and now Mia and Bethany. But he’d never had it with his own blood. Maybe Brittany would change all of that. Even if they’d never be one big happy family, he and his sister could at least have a relationship.

“I’ll have my driver take you to the hotel. I’ll ask Eleanor to have him come up and get your bags. She’ll also call over to make sure they have a room ready for you when you get there. You’ll need to go to the bank to set up your account. I’ll have Eleanor help you out with that too. But for now take it easy, try to get some rest and tomorrow we’ll move you into an apartment.”

He smiled indulgently when she hugged him again. She hastily wiped at a tear as she turned away.

“This means a lot, Ash. It means everything. And I swear I’ll make this up to you.”

“Just be happy and don’t let them take you back down,” Ash said in a serious tone. “She won’t let go that easy, Brittany. You have to know that and you have to be prepared for it. If she pulls any shit, you come to me and I’ll sort it out.”

Brittany smiled wanly and then started for the door. She paused, her hand gripping the doorknob.

“I’ve always admired you, Ash. And if I’m honest, I’ve always been jealous. But you’re not what they say you are. I hate them for what they did to you. To me. And I hate myself for letting them.”

“They aren’t worth your hatred,” Ash said quietly. “Don’t give them that kind of power over you. Not saying it’s going to be easy. But you can’t let them knock you down and keep you down.”

She nodded and then smiled faintly. “I’ll see you soon. I’d like that, I mean. Maybe dinner. Or I can cook something at the apartment for just the two of us.”