Page 139 of Twisted Truth

“Don’t you want to push all that away for a bit and just enjoy dinner with your brother and your aunt? I know you’re close with your brothers; it must be hard having him live so far away. ”

I let out a laugh. As if it’s that easy.

“I see Sterling plenty, even if he lives in London,” I say, deflecting. “He’s practically a barnacle on my ass.”

She tucks herself even farther into my side and rests her head on my shoulder. I can’t say I hate it. Her warmth is a comfort, plus I have a perfect view of her tits down her dress. Iswear I could spend all day looking at them and it still wouldn’t be enough.

I lift our intertwined fingers and kiss the back of her hand, then pull mine away so I can wrap my arm around her and pull her even closer. She smells so fucking good, like vanilla and amber, and just uniquely Ella. My cock twitches thinking about the two of us in the shower this morning. I could spend all my mornings showering like that and not tire of it.

Everything is starting to get so complicated. The more I’m around Ella, the more I want to be around her. She’s like a fucking drug I want to take a hit from constantly. And yet, I’m supposed to let her go at some point. After I’ve pulled her into my life, after I’ve given her my family’s pendant, and after we’ve shared space and our lives with one another.

My stomach drops with the realization that I don’t want to let her go . . .

But I’m terrified to keep her.

And I don’t know how to reconcile both of those things.

If only my life were simpler—I wouldn’t have to think twice. I would let go and let myself fall in love because I’m all too aware of how easy it would be to love Ella. But I don’t have that luxury. The consequences that come with me demand their price, and it’s a fucking big price to pay year in, year out.How can I ask that of someone?How can I expect Ella to pay that price for the long term?

I can’t. And I won’t.

But I can give her much more of myself until our time is up.

Just as weenter the restaurant, Ella spots her sister in the waiting area and darts toward her, letting out a high-pitched squeal as she goes. The two women crash into each other, and then start into some sort of swaying, full-body hug that I’m not sure I’ve ever witnessed the likes of before. Sterling and I take astep back, a bit afraid of whatever the fuck this is, and wait for it to be over.

After at least thirty seconds, when it’s still not over, Sterling leans toward me. “If you ever greet me like that, I’ll punch you in the balls.”

“Obviously. Same.”

Finally, Ella and Maya disentangle from one another, and I’m equal parts fascinated, amused, and horrified when I notice they’ve both been crying. They wipe at their eyes and straighten their hair as they turn toward Sterling and me.

“Asher, this is my sister, Maya.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” I say, holding out my hand. Maya brushes past it and comes forward for a hug. I stiffen, and pat her awkwardly on the back as she wraps her arms around my ribcage. Sterling looks at me with wide, amused eyes.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Asher,” she says. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Good things, I hope.”

She pulls away and gives me a mischievous look. “Mostly.”

I lift my brows and look at Ella. “Mostly?”

She shrugs, smiling.

“And you must be Asher’s brother,” Maya says, turning toward him. She freezes slightly and looks suddenly nervous.

“Sterling,” he says in his deep, flat voice.

I want to elbow him in the ribs. I forget, because he’s my younger brother and because he’s lighter around Declan and me, that Sterling is only lighthearted in front of his family. Around everyone else, he’s quiet and reserved, bordering on aloof. The problem is, with his stature, build, and the razor glint in his dark brown eyes, his quiet and reserved nature comes off as intimidating at best and terrifying at worst. If I am the dictator of the company and the family, then Declan is my enforcer, and Sterling is my assassin. But instead of melting into the background like a good assassin should, Sterling’s darkquiet somehow draws people in rather than helping him to disappear. Which is interesting to watch. As people get caught up in his allure, he can take them down before they even realize it. Of the three of us, he’s the most disciplined in martial arts and tactical weaponry. Plus, he’s a goddamn ghost of a hacker. If he doesn’t want to hurt you in person and make a scene, he can eviscerate you with a few keystrokes on his laptop.

All of this combined makes for a bit of a looming figure. And it looks like Maya is catching that from the get-go.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Sterling says, and Maya stays frozen for a second, her eyes wide.

The maître d’ interrupts their charged greeting and leads us to our table. Ella links her elbow with Maya’s, and Maya visibly relaxes. As we walk through the restaurant, they are once again enmeshed in one another, and I can practically feel the happiness rolling off of Ella. We take our seats at a large table in a private room, and Ella and Maya sit across from one another, then Sterling and I sit next to each of them.

I can’t help but notice as they chat endlessly with one another that though they aren’t blood related sisters, they have quite a few physical similarities. They are almost identical in height, and their body styles are quite similar, although Maya is thinner, almost bordering on unhealthy. They both have bright green eyes, full lips, and delicate noses. Their biggest difference is their coloring. Ella is all golds and bronzes with her golden-brown hair and olive skin, whereas Maya has creamy pale skin and red hair.