"He's right, you can't leave, but we can, and we could use an outlet," Andrew throws in.
"I'm in," Todd adds. "Stephanie doesn't want to leave today anyway. You need us, we're here all night."
I jerk my chin, my mind spinning.
"I'll go, too," Evin offers. "I haven't had a good round with a bag in too long."
"Appreciate it, man, but you got to stay. We can't raise any suspicions until we know more about this."
"Before you boys go off to beat the hell out of shit, I need to know what we're doing about this."
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" His eyebrows arch. "Did you say nothing?"
"Not right now, maybe not tonight. Ashlyn had a mental breakthrough yesterday that cleared years of self-questioning." I wave my finger between the three men. "She's in that room holding a newborn, and the minute he was in her arms, I saw it. She wants that. I want that more, and I'm not willing to set her spiraling back to the black fucking pit she brought to Charleston with her."
"How long are you going to keep this from her?" Dozer's question is a mix of appreciation and apprehension.
"Let’s set the ball in motion to find this cocksucker. I'm going to give her this—
the family, the happiness, the joy and excitement. When I sit down with her, she will retreat and I'll be there to stop it."
"Fine with me." Austin relaxes his stance. "I have a friend that can help."
"Appreciate that, and I'm hoping Stephanie can explain what all these shots and attachments of legal briefs mean."
Todd doesn't stall. "She'll be on that shit before you can blink. Steph's been verbal about understanding what happened to Ashlyn for a while."
"That's it then, you two with me." I point to Austin and Andrew. "We'll go back and spend a few minutes and act normal. Tonight, we all meet back at my place to eat the mountain of food we didn't cook last night. We celebrate this like a family. Everyone deserves that. Tomorrow morning, I'll talk to her."
Every man agrees, and we walk back to the room, moods still simmering but under control.
No one questions when Austin, Andrew, and I mention leaving early under the ruse of checking on Runner, hitting the gym, and getting the house ready for a big dinner.
On the way out, we run into my family, and Cole gives me a high five, clutching another huge bear, this one in a Christmas outfit.
"Good call, buddy. I think Dev may need that."
He beams proudly, taking off to the room with Mom and Maya on his trail.
Dad grabs my arm. "I don't know what's going on, but please don't make me bail you out of jail."
Perception… right on the fucking mark.
"We're good, Gramps, see you tonight."
He shoves me hard, hating the name, but doesn't question.
Chapter 19
Ashlyn
I shuffle through the printouts again. All the texts, attachments, screenshots, and most recently the report that the number was untraceable.
"I'm not mad." My voice is steady, even though my insides are rolling. It would be easy to break down, but I can tell that's exactly what Miller and my brothers are expecting. "This explains why you kept my phone last night."
"It wasn't about hiding things from you; it was more about protection and giving you the night you deserved," Miller replies gently.
I nod, giving him that. Less than two days ago, I openly admitted he was my safety net, and a man like Miller Kendrick takes that seriously. Shielding me from this was his way of protection.
"While you guys are ready to rain hell on Brock, these could be from anyone. I left a few pissed off people behind."
Miller crowds in, linking his arms around my waist and scooting me to where I'm half in his lap.
"I understand why it's the three of you, and I'm thankful. Mom and Dad deserve to be here, but it's better like this."
"There's a reason we're called the A-Team, Ash," Austin speaks cautiously.
"I loved being a lawyer."
"You are a lawyer, Princess. They're not taking that away." Miller combs his fingers through my hair.
"We'll see. But if being a lawyer for them is my choice, I'll walk away… again, with no hesitation."
"Sis, no more beating around it. Tell us what happened." Andrew leans forward in the recliner across from us.
"It may be best if Miller leaves."
"I think Miller needs to stay right where he is."
"I had a convenience thing with Brock. You can read into that what you want," I blurt out, embarrassed to look at my brothers.
Miller's body goes to stone, hostility radiating in the air.
"It took me too long to discover he is a parasite," I continue, "but I knew no differently. It was all convenience. He advanced to partner a few years ago, and at the time, I truly believed he deserved it. He was ambitious, precise, dedicated to the extreme. I considered him an example of what they expected to climb to the top. He knew my aspirations and pushed me harder, demanded my best. It became a game and I willingly participated. He began taking an interest in my workload, which didn't bother me because rumor was I was on track for a promotion. He would get me there." I sip my coffee, taking the second to boost my courage to go on.
"You all know I worked in Mergers and Acquisitions, but what you don't know is that wasn't my first choice. But when offered the job at Redmond, Kersh, & Reid, that's where they wanted my skill set. I learned quickly my southern style and upbringing was a deterrent in the world they dropped me into. There was little room for heart and compassion when dealing with my clients." I grin sadly, thinking of my friends. "Nothing like Darby's experience with Brasher. She was lucky to have Stephanie and the management team at Brasher pinning for her. In my firm, we'd have swept the floor with her little business, and in the process made her think she
