Page 19 of Twisted Elites

“We’re family, no matter what.” He shook his head.

My throat dried, and I licked my parched lips. “If things are getting too cramped, you can always move into—”

“No. Hortense would see that as charity and turn down the offer, and if you charged rent, she’d be offended.” He stretched and yawned. “It’s best to leave things as they are.”

“Right.” My shoulders sagged. It made sense in a twisted sort of way. “We need to see Ashley.”

His brows drew together. “Is it important? She’s resting.”

“Someone’s freedom is dependent on her telling the truth, but she’s submitted a false statement to the police.”

“I see.” He scrubbed at his eyes, then his shoulders sagged. “Actually, I don’t.”

“We just need to speak to her.”

Opening the door to his apartment, Uncle Trevor stepped aside. “She’s resting in our room. Don’t leave the door open. Otherwise, it will take an hour for the kids to calm down about her face.”

“Thanks.” I gave his arm a tight squeeze, hoping that things would improve for him and his growing family, then stepped through the threshold.

Leopold and Sebastian followed me down the narrow hallway, where we passed Aunt Hortense, who slumped on a sofa with Stevie lying across her lap, Annie climbing up her knees, and the baby slung over one shoulder. Peter sat in front of the TV screen, watching a show about smiling trains.

After giving my cousins hugs and kisses, and avoiding my aunt’s malevolent glower, we set off for the master bedroom.

I knocked on the door and stepped inside.

Ashley sat in Uncle Trevor’s bed, playing with an iPad. She glanced up, looking a little less swollen than before. “Can’t resist me? I know you’d track me down and come crawling back.”

“We’re more interested in clearing Kash’s name,” said Leopold.

“Well, I wanted to sell my parents’ house, but my sister keeps standing in my way.”

“Is that what this is all about?”

Ashley nodded. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I rolled my eyes. Clearly, she thought we were recording her, so she didn’t want to contradict what she had told the police. “If I delivered your half of the proceeds of the sale, will you retract your statement?”

“How dare you!” She gave me a thumbs up. “If you think I would allow money to come in the way of justice, you’re more twisted than I thought. Maybe you asked Prakash to beat me up in exchange for sex.”

“Unbelievable,” muttered Sebastian.

“Rather desperate, really,” said Leopold.

Ashley ignored them and turned to me. “Hurry up.”

“Hurry up and give you the money?”

She gave me an eager nod. “Hurry up and leave!

“One more question.” I folded my arms and tapped my foot. “Bruce Wilmington hurt you, didn’t he?”

Ashley bowed her head. “Just get out,” she said in a broken voice. “I never want to see your smug face again.”

Chapter 5

I should have felt vindicated by my conversation with Ashley—from her tone of voice, she had acknowledged that Bruce had attacked her, but all I could feel was a bone-deep shame. Shame that Sebastian, Leopold, and Uncle Trevor had seen how low Ashley could stoop for money.

Ashley’s shoulders shook in silent sobs. Despite her tough girl exterior, Bruce’s treatment of her had hurt. I knew the ecstasy of being wanted by three gorgeous boys, had my heart filled to overflowing with their affection. Mine would shatter if they ever revealed that it was a game, but my spirit would break if they subjected me to the level of hurt and humiliation I’d seen that snowy evening.