Page 120 of Ash and Poison

“Do you still have feelings? For him?” Asher’s breath hitched, his fingers tightening on my shoulder.

“It’s complicated. Declan wasn’t just my…” I sighed.

The lights blinked one by one until the whole room was bathed in blinding white.

“Declan Hart was our foster brother for four weeks. And then he abandoned us and ran,” Layne gritted out. “When he came home, I finally thought we’d survive. I thought he would save us from Max.”

“She liked him,” I whispered, and Asher’s befuddled gaze met mine. “I told you. Complicated.”

“And he liked her. I didn’t begrudge him for that. But I hate him for leaving us there to rot. After years, Dee met him at St. Anthony’s, he didn’t even remember her at first,” Layne said, sitting next to me, her brows knitted together.

“That sounds quite…” he trailed off.

“Well, we are not normal,” Layne said. “And we needed some information on Toby—that scum, so she used him to get what we wanted. Ultimately, it was about Tobias.”

“Where is he?” I asked again, glaring at Layne.

“Stop frowning,” she said, pushing her finger against my cheek. “I didn’t kill him. It wasn’t like I didn’t try, but the bastard was good. He escaped.”

“He’s going to come back, Layne, this time for you.”

“Oh, pfft, I can deal with little Dicklan.”

Asher burst out laughing.

“I like her,” he said, looking at Layne with a smile. She gave him a cheeky grin.

“I aim to please.”

“Stop encouraging her,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“But…” Asher said, winking at Layne. “I’m a hundred percent for killing Dicklan, though.”

“I approve,” Layne said, placing a hand on her chest.

“You remind me of… Riley. Your sarcasm, your wit… your eyes…” His eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe what he just said.

Layne leaned forward, grabbing Asher’s hand in hers before pulling him in a hug.

He looked startled, his body stiff.

I bit my lips as I watched them, quickly blinking the tears away.

“It takes too long to heal, Asher, but you can lean on us. Trina, too. We’ll be your friends if you accept our friendship.”

Asher pulled back, his smile hesitant. “How can anyone say no to that?”

“As long as you don’t hurt my Dee.”

“I’d never. But…” Asher looked at me. “She’s going to hurt me.” His voice was teasing, but his eyes… oh, the emotions swimming in them.

“I don’t want to.”

Layne stood up and gave me a look before she walked out, closing the door behind her.

“Asher, I meant what I said. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Without a word, he pushed me to the bed. His eyes were honest, and I wanted him to go on, but I also wanted him to stop. “I know,” he whispered, pressing a kiss on my forehead.