“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.”
“I’d like that too,” he said sincerely. “Take care of yourself, Brittany. And if you need anything, call me.”
As soon as she walked out of his door, he buzzed Eleanor and gave her the rundown on what he needed. After instructing her to assist Brittany in opening a bank account, he told her to give him the account number as soon as Brittany had it so he could wire funds.
What a day. So Brittany had a backbone after all. It had taken her long enough, but better late than never. Their two older brothers had never had the balls or the desire to stand up to their parents and the old man. Ash had no use for them. Both in their forties and neither one able to support himself or his own family. Hell, Ash had nieces and nephews he’d rarely ever seen. He knew nothing about his sisters-in-law other than they were married to weak men still firmly under the thumb of his parents.