“Where?” Knox gripped the handles on his chair. “Where is Jade?”
“Why do you want to know? Because she’s my sister and I don’t want to betray her confidence.” Leaning back in his seat, Asher crossed one leg over the other.
Knox pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a building headache coming on. “I don’t appreciate having to tell you anything before I talk to Jade, but if it’s the only way you’ll divulge her location, fine.”
Asher remained silent. Waiting.
Knox shook his head. “One day you’re going to fall in love, and I hope it bites you in the ass,” he muttered. “Then you can think back to today and regret the smug way you’re forcing me to pull information out of you, piece by piece.”
Asher sat up straighter and coughed. “You’re in love with my sister?”
“Not that I planned to share it with you, but yes, I am. And I’m worried about her. She was supposed to be at the florist meeting with my sister two days ago and she didn’t show up. Lauren said she had a stomach virus, but when I went to her apartment to check on her, the doorman told me she wasn’t home. She must have been with you.”
Asher lowered his shoulders and groaned. “I had no idea you two had gotten serious.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think Jade realizes it yet, either.”
He let out a loud laugh. “Jesus. She’s keeping you at arm’s length, isn’t she?”
“She sure as hell is. But something caused her to run, and I need to find out what it is. So?” The ball was in Asher’s court. He’d either help Knox or turn him away.
“She’s at my house on Windermere. She showed up here with a carry-on bag and asked if she could go there for a few days. She took the jet.”
At least she’d gone somewhere familiar and safe. “She didn’t say why she needed to leave?”
“She didn’t.” Asher braced his hands on the chair and stood. “But I take it you want to head down there and find out.”
It wasn’t a question and Knox didn’t think it warranted an answer. Yes, Knox had work to do. Yes, he had an upcoming season to focus on. But he trusted his coaches and managers to handle anything leading up to pre-season training camp. But even if his team was heading into the Super Bowl, Jade would still be his priority.
He rose to his feet.
“The jet’s back at Teterboro airport. I’ll have my pilot fuel up and get ready to go. You two are giving him a workout,” Asher said as he walked around his desk and picked up his phone.
When he was finished issuing orders, Asher leveled Knox with what Knox had come to think of as his big-brother glare. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“That’s not my intention.” He started for the door and turned. “Asher, thanks.”
His friend inclined his head. “And good luck to you,” Asher said.
Knox knew he was going to need it.