My stomach grumbles again, and I realize I’m just hungry. I dig around in my laptop bag, fishing out the cherry gummy bears Ash bought me, shoving one into my mouth.
Perry laughs, calls Keaton a dumbass, and then shakes his head. I’m curious as to what they’re talking about. It’s never bothered me before that my siblings talk to each other as if they truly enjoy each other’s presence. Being the eldest, I’ve prided myself on not needing to interact with my siblings. I thought I didn’t mind, at least. Something about the way Perry smiles, happy to be talking to our brother, doesn’t sit well with me. I feel as though I’ve missed out on something. An ache that feels much like when we lost Dad settles in my bones, making its home there.
“Enough chit-chat,” I bark out, glaring at Perry.
He flips me off, ignoring me. I bite back a smirk, secretly pleased with the balls he seems to have found since he started working with me. It takes another Constantine to be effectively able to handle the top Constantine.
Ash handles you just fine.
That thought has me faltering. My mind goes back to last night when her father tried to ward me off.
“She’s too soft for you.”
“Ash is just a kid.”
“We want her to follow her dreams and go off to college.”
I kindly—okay, so not kindly at all—told him if she was soft, she wouldn’t have picked herself up after those motherfuckers ruined her dress, found a way to my party, and danced the night away like she belonged there. He tried not to let it show, but he was shocked she’d been at the party and he didn’t see her. The triplets told him she had a wardrobe malfunction and wouldn’t be attending the party, which he took at face value. Let’s just say that after I vaguely revealed his stepsons are spawns of Satan, he wouldn’t be trusting them when it comes to Ash. It’s not much, but it’s better than her dealing with the triplets’ shit alone. At least if Baron Elliott knows what monsters his wife’s kids are, especially to his own daughter, he can act like the protector he thinks he is.
The truth is, I’m the only one who can fully protect Ash.
Me.
With my money, my means, and my motherfucking persistence.
Buzz.
Speaking of persistence . . .
I smile at the email on my phone from Deborah. She may have pissed me off where Perry and Ash are concerned, forgetting her place in this company, but I’m reminded why I keep her around and pay her so well. Her ability to dig information up is invaluable.
Wes R. Hightower.
Otherwise known as hot suited not gay guy.
Thirty-one. Junior associate at a successful investment company, Hightower Financial Group, that his father, James Hightower, owns. It’d be a dick move to punish his father for the deeds of his son, but I think I’ve proven time and time again I’m a dick. I shoot a text to Harold asking him to move any and all investments that are with Hightower Financial Group. Then, I ask Deborah to see what she can learn about their clientele. Once she figures out the big spenders at Hightower Financial Group, I can make some calls. Whenever I mention moving my business or investing in something, all the other motherfuckers who want to be just like me follow suit. No questions asked. Hightower Financial Group will bleed from this monetary wound I’ll no doubt inflict on their company. And when they’re struggling to keep their doors open, I’ll send Wes R. Hightower a bouquet of expensive flowers with a card that says: You couldn’t afford her before, and you certainly can’t now.
“You’re so fucking evil,” Perry says, as though he’s inside my mind.
“Hmm?” Absently, I throw another addictive cherry gummy bear into my mouth, mildly annoyed that Ash got me hooked on this shit. For breakfast, no less.
“That face.” He laughs. “It’s evil. Tell me we’re going to fuck up some Mannfords.”
“Ash did a good job of that last night all by herself,” I reveal, smirking at him.
“So I’ve been told,” Perry says, grinning. “Keaton called to tell me he heard through some mutual friends the triplets were pissed their cars got wrecked last night. Good for Ash. After what they did . . .” He trails off, his features darkening and his smile wiped off his face. “It’s the least of what they deserve.”
I agree whole-fucking-heartedly.
“Do you think Mother knows?” Perry asks with a frown.
I throw another gummy bear into my mouth, frowning as I chew. “That Ash smashed her stepbrothers’ cars?”
“No, smartass. Saturday night. That we duped her into thinking Tinsley was there all night rather than Ash.”
“Why do you ask?”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Because she called me yesterday asking me who Ash Elliott was and everything I knew about her.”