Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Asher

Fuck.

I slam a fist into the wall and stare at the empty space where Harper stood.

What an absolute fucking clusterfuck.

God, do I have a way of making shit worse than it already is.

I’ve been thinking with my dick all night. Right from earlier when I saw Harper walk into the living room in that dress and all I could think of was getting her out of the fucking dress.

Every move she made drew my attention to her gorgeous body and when I caught myself looking at her tits I kept thinking about her at the Dark Odyssey.

Her topless for some guy who wasn’t me. Then I wanted her for myself.

I knew that I wanted her. So I shouldn’t have agreed to hanging out. It’s not like I didn’t know something could happen between us. I felt it from the way she looked at me and I was eager to know if that part of her that used to want me still existed.

I shouldn’t have wanted that but the intense desire got the better of me and I agreed to hang out because I wanted to fall in the trap.

I wanted to be powerless to resist the temptation and the thought lured me in like an addict who can’t resist a fix.

As I feasted on her perfect breasts and ate out her pussy I wanted more.

I had every intention of taking more until I heard Josh in my head.

I heard his words in my head screaming at me that I wasn’t good enough for his sister. If I hadn’t stopped I’d be balls deep inside her by now.

Day one and I’ve already fucked up.

Now Harper is mad at me.

But what the fuck did I expect? Of course she was going to be mad.

I’m mad at myself. And look at me. I’m standing here pitching a tent and I’m not sure what I am. Am I a coward or a fool?

Cowards shy away from a fight and fools never try to get what they want.

It doesn’t matter.

I messed up and now I have to try and unfuck myself. I have to focus of the plan which is working so well. Tonight was a success.

I’m satisfied that Portia Fairchild is so far off my father’s radar she’s pretty much an afterthought.

Harper and I stole the show and won everyone’s hearts. Of course the irony in that is that the plan worked because we aren’t fake.

But those kinds of thoughts are going to get me in more trouble with her.

The best thing to do is avoid situations like tonight. Avoid Harper when I don’t need to be with her.

I’m sure that’s going to be easier said than done. Especially now that I’m also going to be her boss.

I didn’t bother to go to sleep. Now I wish I had. Sleep would have given me the chance to rejuvenate and be ready for the meeting with Father, Hunter, and Nolan.

The morning already started off like shit because Olga wasn’t there.

She would have gone to call Harper for breakfast or checked on her. I could have done it myself but I felt that after last night I should keep my distance for a little while.

Layla has a busy schedule planned for Harper today and I have back-to-back meetings so chances are I won’t see her.

I wanted to at least make sure she was okay with me. Now I have to put all my focus on this meeting because it seems Nolan—the motherfucker—has another ace up his sleeve I never saw coming.

The meeting is supposed to be about our work with the tech company. Last week I had Layla draw up my proposals on how we should move forward and send them to Nolan, who agreed.

Except today he’s saying something entirely different. Something different that has blown my father’s mind.

“Merging the tech company with Ansel Software would solidify the brand and increase our profits exponentially.” Nolan speaks with pride, sounding like a door-to-door salesman eager to make a sale.

This is the new thing he sprung on us this morning. He and his father have surprisingly managed to secure the leading shares in Ansel Software overnight .

Of course my father thinks that a merger is a great idea because Ansel Software is a development company.

If he agrees to merge our tech company with Ansel Software, Nolan and Nigel would have a formidable powerhouse.

This is their comeback at me for eliminating Portia as a marriage potential.

Although a merger wouldn’t carry the same impact as marriage to me, it would be a hell of a lot more than what they have now.

I glare at Nolan as he continues talking about all the potential profits we could see from a merger of the two companies. When he’s finished talking I look at Father then at Hunter. Both of them have this transfixed expression that irritates me even more.

I've been patiently listening, trying to keep myself under control while wanting to snap Nolan's neck. It’s obvious he’s trying to outdo me again.

Once again I can’t get violent. I'd definitely be in the wrong. Especially when Nolan has my father eating out of his palm like a dog.

“This is absolutely wonderful, Nolan,” Father says, giving him the same adoration he shows us as his sons. “We’d just need to go over the dynamics and logistics thoroughly as the tech company has been a subsidiary of Le Blanche Global for many years.”

“I understand completely, Preston,” Nolan replies in a hearty voice. “My father and I expected you to ask for more time so we’re good to wait. Just don't take too long. We have other companies in mind to merge with. I just think it'd be a great opportunity to expand our already wonderful working relationship with Le Blanche Global.”

“I think you’re right,” Father agrees and looks at Hunter and me. “Do you boys have anything to say with regard to this possible venture?”

I have no shortage of words to bury him but the moment I open my mouth to speak Hunter taps my leg, pressing a thumb down into my knee. It's his secret signal. His way of telling me not to say anything that's out of line.

When we were boys we used to do this a lot.

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye and when he nods I decide to tamp down my rage. For now . “I think it's a good idea but I'd like to look into it a little more.”

“Me too,” Hunter agrees, switching his gaze to Nolan. “I can definitely see the business potential. Congratulations on sourcing such an acquisition.”

I take note of the wary look in Hunter's eyes. It tells me he's picked up on something. That eases my rage to some degree.

Nolan smiles wide and proud. “Thank you. I actually did this on my own. So I'm very pleased with this achievement. It couldn't have come at a better time.”

“No, it couldn't have.” I restrain the sarcasm in my tone, masking my true feelings about this idea.

“Well then,” Father says, taking back control of the conversation. If no one else has any questions let’s wrap this up. I have to get to my next meeting but you boys are welcome to continue the discussion.”

“Sure. Thanks, Father,” Hunter replies.

“Thanks for your time, Preston.” Nolan dips his head. “I'm really grateful that you heard me out.”

“Of course. We're all about growth here. The more we grow the happier we all are. The guys and I will talk then get back to you.”

“Perfect.”

“I’ll see you all later.” Father smiles then he heads out.

Hunter and I have meetings to attend as well. We stand but I want to speak to Hunter.

Nolan looks at me with that stupid grin on his face. “I appreciate that I didn't make you aware of this before today but I thought it would be best if we all discussed it together.”

Bullshit. He kept it secret because he knew I would argue and want to look into it before presenting the idea to my father.

“No worries.” God help me. Every time I see this guy he rubs me the wrong way.

“We'll be in touch,” Hunter says, knowing I’m ready to blow.

“And I’ll see you both on Sunday.” Nolan grins.

“Of course.”

I keep my silence. I was so glad he and his family weren’t at the dinner party last night. They had a prior engagement they couldn’t miss. Sunday will be different.

It will be worse because there won’t be as many people.

Nolan glances at me before he leaves.

I watch him through the glass door and wait until he’s out of earshot before I whirl around to face Hunter.

“Hunter, please don’t tell me that didn’t seem shady to you. Because it was.”

“It was. And that's why I didn't want you to say anything. I think we might have just found your first lead.”

Hope sparks in my heart for the first time in forever. “What did I miss?”

“I’ve been watching Nolan and Nigel so I asked Jericho to keep digging and he found something I felt I should look into.”

Jericho Grayson . No one is better than him at finding shit out. “What did he find?”

“Nolan and Nigel have had shares in Ansel Software for a long time. I was aware that they were trying to get ruling shares but the evidence suggests something is up with their stocks and revenue.”

“Seriously?” This is good.

“Yeah. There were a few instances where the minimal revenue was drastically low on one day and the next day the stock price spiked. They hid it well. So you’d only know if you were looking for something. Which we were.”

“Well damn. Do you think they could have initiated a pump and dump scheme?” Low revenue on one day and high stock prices the next usually tends to suggest some sort of scam like that.

“It looks that way. If they merge with our tech company it makes them stronger, not us. It also means they get to continue their shitshow with our backing.”

“We have to tell Father.”

“No. Not yet.” He shakes his head. “We need to watch them and gather details. Let them dig the hole for themselves and we’ll be there to cover them with the dirt.”

I smile, feeling better for the first time since my encounter with Harper. “I like this.”

“At least you have something to work with now. It’s small but it’s something. Father hates shoddy business deals. If he comes across shit like that it won’t matter how long he’s known Nigel or who he is.”

“No it won’t. If this works it’ll be perfect. It may even be the thing that will get the Fairchilds out of the picture for good.”

“Agreed.” Hunter nods then gives me a curious stare. “So… what about your other problem?”

“What other—” I stop myself when he quirks a sharp, questioning brow.

“Harper,” he clarifies.

We haven’t spoken face to face about her yet and so much has happened since I told him about my plan over the phone.

I may be able to fool everyone else but I can’t do that to my brother.

“I think I fucked myself over,” I confess.

“In what way? Because you two looked great to me last night. I had a hard time believing you’re supposed to be fake.” His gaze intensifies.

“It’s complicated.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” The worst thing is having him call me out.

“Did something happen between you two last night?” His eyes narrow to slits.

I think for a moment about how I should answer that but I decide to go with the truth. “Yes.”

“Asher—”

“Hunter don’t. Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“Okay. I’ll leave you to figure it out. Only you know what you want.”

Damn it, why the hell did he say that? “Sometimes I can’t have what I want.”

“That’s bullshit. Since when was that ever the case? We‘re men who take what we want. Especially when it comes to a woman.”

True. But I’ve never been in this situation before, where my conscience is getting the better of me. “I’ll figure it out.”

“I hope you do.” He gives me a tight-lipped smile but the gleam in his eyes tells me he wants me to be with Harper. “Let’s get to our meeting.”

“Sure.”

We head outside and I hear Layla’s voice in the other room. I know she’s training Harper so I can’t help but look inside as Hunter and I walk by.

There she is. Harper is standing next to Layla. She’s holding a notebook and making notes.

She must feel my eyes on her because she looks around at me.

As our eyes lock I remember us only hours ago. Me stepping way over the line and her giving herself to me.

I remember how she felt in my arms and how she tasted. The taste of her alluring mouth, her silky skin, her delicious breasts, and her sweet pussy.

It was like drinking pure honey, nectar, roses all at once in a lethal dose that hooked me with a craving I will never forget.

For those few moments that I held her and ate her out Harper St. John felt like she was mine.

She was. And she was just Harper. Not Josh's little sister. Not the woman who was off limits to me. She was Harper, the woman I wanted to bury myself in and devour until every part of her belonged to me.

Now I can feel a wall between us. Not the glass wall separating us but the invisible barrier I pulled up when I stopped us from becoming more than what we are now.

A forced, stiff smile flickers across her face. It's the kind you'd give your enemy when you need to be polite. The smile is similar to those I give Nolan and Nigel.

Harper looks away and I glance back at Hunter who's already watching me.

He says nothing. Neither do I. But I know what he's thinking.

Even if we weren't brothers and close, I'd be able to tell what he was thinking.

That this shouldn’t be as complicated as I’m making it out to be.

Not when it’s as clear as the hard on in my pants that I want her.