“I’ll make my point face-to-face,” Ash said, his face going hard over the impending confrontation.
Having it out with his parents in the lobby of his building wasn’t his first choice, but no way in hell was he allowing them into his home. That was his sanctuary. And Josie’s. He wasn’t about to have it invaded by people he loathed. And he damn sure wasn’t having this confrontation on their turf. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of going to them. Ever.
When they got off the elevator, Ash saw his mother and father waiting in the lobby. Neither looked happy and when they turned and saw him, there was no welcome in their eyes. No recognition that he was their son. But then there’d never been. He didn’t understand it. Couldn’t fathom being so cold toward your own children. The hell he’d ever treat his own kids this way.
He strode up to them and halted several feet away, his face drawn into a glacier of ice. He stared at them both coldly until his father actually flinched and looked away, guilt edging into his eyes.
“Why are you here?” Ash demanded bluntly.
His mother’s gaze flicked over him and then to Gabe, annoyance sparking in her eyes.
“Really, Ash, this is a private matter. Couldn’t we speak privately? Perhaps in your apartment?”
“Gabe is family,” Ash said in a flat tone. “Anything you have to say can be said in front of him.”
She sniffed delicately and then schooled her features. He could swear she was actually trying to appear . . . nice. Beseeching even. His nape prickled because she resembled a bloodthirsty vampire closing in on the kill.
“I wanted to apologize for my unfortunate behavior earlier in the week.”
Color rose in her cheeks and it looked as though the words nearly choked her. They probably had. Issuing an apology was not something she ever did.
“Apology accepted. Now if that’s all?”
Anger flashed in her eyes briefly before she pushed it away, once again composing herself to look more congenial.
“Your grandfather would like to have us all for dinner. Brittany too. He—and I—would like it very much if you would come. Your brothers and their wives and children will be there too, of course.”
Ash’s eyes narrowed. “No chance in hell.”
His father cleared his throat, speaking for the first time.
“I wish you’d reconsider, son.”
Ash stared at him in disgust. “‘Son’? When have I ever been your son? Suppose you cut the crap and tell me exactly what it is you want here. Because it sure as hell isn’t some family quality time over dinner.”
His mother’s lips thinned and her eyes flashed. This time she did nothing to try and hide her annoyance.
“He’s going to change his will. He’s pissed because our family has gone to hell as he put it. He’s not happy with Brittany’s defection. Said if I was more of a mother then my children wouldn’t all despise me. He’s made noises about how we should start to support ourselves and that he’s tired of dumping money into a nest of vipers. He said that if a mother and father can’t even keep their family together then why should he reward us by leaving us everything.”
Ash laughed and it only pissed his mother off even more.
“This affects you too,” she hissed. “And Brittany! If he cuts us out of his will, he cuts everyone. You won’t get a dime and neither will Brittany.”
Ash shook his head, still chuckling. “Maybe you haven’t been listening to me all these years, Mother dear. I don’t give a flying fuck about the old man’s money. I never have. It comes with too many strings. Just as everything with you has strings.”