Chapter 6
AUGUST
I’m giving him an ultimatum to get married to a mail order bride,” Mom said, tossing back the rest of her wine. “He needs to show the world that he’s responsible. Our stocks and business dealings depend on it.”
What she was suggesting sounded extreme. I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I chose to think it through. She obviously sensed my thinking enough to not say anything for a few minutes.
“Okay, I let you think for a few minutes,” Mom said. “Now I need you to help me get this done.”
I’d had to get Asher out of a lot of things over the years, but this time…wasn’t gonna be one of them. Mom had on that serious face that usually meant ‘Don’t argue with me’. I supposed it could be worse. It worked for Parker, and I wasn’t even sure Parker liked anyone or anything besides heart valves.
“When have I ever said no to you?” I stood and reached my hand out to help her up. “Let’s go get this done.”
Parker and Mia were on the living room floor with their puppy and Asher was deep in a conversation with Dad. Asher looked to me for reassurance. All I could do was shrug. I heard my sister before I saw her. It was always that way with Murphy.
“Hey, creep.” Murphy hugged me. “Are we mad at Asher or what?”
“Hey, kid.” I turned her to face Mom. “What does that face say?”
Murphy sat her purse on the side table and headed to the bar for a drink. I watched as Asher excused himself from dad and beelined for Murphy. He was desperate for information. If only he knew what I knew and how his playboy lifestyle was about to change.
“Trey just messaged me that he had an emergency at the hospital and won’t make it in time for the family meeting. Time is of the essence, so everyone sit and let’s get this over with,” Mom went on, barely taking a breath. “By now, you have seen the tabloids and social media comments.”
We all nodded and took seats around the room. Asher stood by the bar enjoying a scotch as if this wasn’t about him.
“Asher, you’ve gone too far this time, and our dealings with corporate business outside of the country and in the country are not very happy,” Mom said. “Many of them have said they want to rethink their dealings with Hawthorne Architecture.”
“What?” I walked over to Asher and took the drink out of his hand. “This I didn’t know. Asher, do you have any ideas on how to correct this?”
“Not really,” Asher shrugged. “I don’t see the big deal. It’ll go away in a few weeks.”
“No, son, it won’t this time. You publicly cheated on and embarrassed the daughter of a prominent royal family,” Mom said, taking over the conversation. “He spoils that daughter and she is out for blood.”
Murphy laughed out loud and Dad looked up from a file he was reading.
“Did I miss something funny?” Dad asked.
“Henry, there is nothing funny about your son bringing shame to the family,” Mom scolded. “I have a plan and I need this whole family to help straighten this out.”
“Why do I have to be involved?” Murphy whined. “Send our resident playboy out of the country until it passes.”
“Murphy, you are completely correct, but we are going a step or two further,” Mom said, waiting for Asher to look at her. “Asher is going to go to Australia with August.”
“I don’t want to go to Australia,” Asher complained. “I have too much work to do here,” Asher lied.
“You don’t do your work. August keeps that business thriving. Now you’re harming all his hard work,” Mom said. “So, you will go, and when you get there you will be picking a mail order bride.”
This information hung in the air like a grenade crossing a battlefield. Everyone visibly winced. Asher slammed his glass down and started pacing the room. Dad had already gone back to his file. No surprise there.
“Can I plan the wedding?” Murphy joked as usual.
“Is this your idea, Parker?” Asher demanded. “Maybe it was Mia’s idea.”
“Asher, it was my idea and you will do it,” Mom quietly demanded. “You will step up and protect the family, or I will have to go public with you being cut off from the family wealth.”
“You have to be kidding me with this. I’m not ready to get married, especially to a complete stranger,” Asher complained. “If you want me to get married, then I’ll pick one of the girls I date off and on.”
“No, you will marry the complete stranger that I buy for you. You will hide out in Australia with her for a few weeks, then come back a married man,” Mom said sternly. “People will see you’ve changed your way, and you only hurt the spoiled daughter because you were in love.”