“I think you should be worried about me never sleeping with you again!” Molly shouts from the top of the stairs. Damn, when did this girl get so feisty? She must be really pissed. I don’t miss how my father’s eyebrows raised at Asher’s comment.

“He’s banging his stepsister.” Chase being Chase takes a jab back at Asher.

“Say I’m banging her one more time and I’ll bang your head into this fucking marble floor.”

“Enough. Both of you into the kitchen so I can clean you up. You might need a stitch,” Grace tells one of them. I’m not sure which. Chase’s lip is cut, and Asher has a gash over his eye.

“Family drama.” I sigh. Molly gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind but then bursts into laughter.

Mission accomplished. For the moment at least.

15

Chase

“Let me check it,” Grace says to Asher. He snags her wrist before she can try and lift the bandage from above his brow. The two of us have been sulking in the study for the past few hours.

“I’m really sorry,” he tells her.

“I know, honey. You’re more like your father than you know. You try to protect your family, but sometimes it ends up hurting them.”

“I’ll earn her forgiveness. I’m in love with her.”

Grace pulls the bandage up from over his eyebrow to check it. She actually put two butterfly strips on it. “Molly is easy to love.” Grace always smiles when speaking of her daughter. I hate that this is something Emily never got, but I’m sure Grace is giving her some of that motherly love if she’s giving it to Asher, who’s been an utter asshole to her. “She’ll forgive you, but please, Asher, be careful. Molly is full of sweetness. Fix your mess and then get her back.”

Asher doesn’t look like he wants to agree. He wants to march upstairs and demand Molly forgive him now, but he chooses the wise path and nods, agreeing to her mother’s wishes.

He still, however, shoots another glare at me. Tomas is sitting behind his desk watching this all play out. I think it’s a lot for a man who thought he finally got his happily ever after. For years, he lived in hell with his ex and now, right when he thinks he’s about to have it all, it starts to slip between his fingers.

“And, you,” Grace points to her husband, “everything is going to be fine. You’re going to get yourself all worked up. You’ve got twelve years on me. I need you to remain youthful.” She smirks at him.