Broken Lyrics (Book 3 of the Black Heart Series)

Twenty-Four

Asher

Twenty minutes later and I was far from sated, but having my parents in my house put a damper on Bree's mood.

We needed to do dinner and I needed to get them out of my house.

Then, according to Bree, DC needed to be in bed. There were so many rules... ugh!

We round the bottom of the stairs and were greeted by Claire, my housekeeper.

"I am so sorry, sir. I saved the grocery shopping for last and got stuck in traffic. I should have been here when you arrived. Hopefully you all had a pleasant trip?"

"Yes, we did." I smiled coolly, "Thank you. Claire, I'd like you to meet Bree, my fiancé."

When I said fiancé, Bree's eyes darted to me. I just Shrugged them off.

"So nice to meet you, Miss Bree. I've already met Miss Declan as well, she's such a pleasant girl."

"Thank you, but...uhm... You don't really have to call us miss or anything." Bree fidgeted nervously "Just Bree and DC are fine. It's what we go by at home."

"I'll try to remember that. It's so nice to meet you. I hope you don't mind, but I had planned on one of mr. Asher's favorite meals for dinner, chicken and asparagus with wild rice. I can always fix you and the little miss something else though."

"Oh, no! That's perfect! We're not particular."

"She'd eat at Taco Bell, if you'd let her." I teased.

"Wait!" Bree grew excited for the first time all day, "They have a Taco Bell here? And we don't have to drive am hour into the city?"

"See what I mean?" I chuckled and kissed Bree's temple.

"Don't laugh! I love Taco Bell!" She scolded me.

"I'll try to sneak you some sometime." Claire winked at Bree, "I have to finish dinner. It should be out in about 30 minutes. Can I get you two something to drink while you wait?"

"I'll have my usual," I told her, "And why don't you fix Bree a water with a splash of that coconut rum, that I have floating around here for my mom? She's not much of a drinker, but after spending time with my parents she might want a little bit."

"I'll bring them to the Terrace, your mother and father are out there with Miss... I mean DC." Claire caught herself, and smiled at Bree.

"Claire, can I help you? I, know it's a lot to do."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Claire smile was soft when she spoke to Bree, "Go. Enjoy your company."

"But-"

"It's what I pay her to do, Bree." I chuckled.

This was simply just Bree, being Bree. She was helpful and took responsibility, even when it wasn't needed. In every situation.

Dinner went smoothly. Everyone was happy and my parents doted over Bree and Declan.

When Clara came to collect the plates Bree stood to help.

"Bree what are you doing?" I leaned my elbows on the table to watch her.

"I'm helping clear the table." She began to stack the dishes.

I could feel all eyes on me as I glared at her.

"No. You're not." I spoke through clenched teeth, "I pay Claire to do that."

"You pay Claire to pick up after your ass, not mine or DC's." She spoke cooley.

She needed to get used to not having to do everything herself. She had done too much already the past 15 years.

Why was she fighting this simple task?

"Put the dishes down, Bree."

"No," She argued, "If she has to pick up after your sloppy ass, then she needs all the help she can get."

I cracked my Knuckles... okay... I'd bite...

"Are you calling me a slob?" Bree continued to stack the plates as I watched.

"Isn't that what I just said?" She shrugged, "You, Asher McGee are a slob." When she reached my side I growled, as I pulled her onto my lap. She giggled and it lit me up.

"Ash, please, let me help." She smiled, resting her forehead to mine. "It's what I do."

I smiled back. It is what Bree does.

I took a deep sigh. "Will it make you happy?"

"Yes." She smiled and it lit up her whole, tiny little face.

"Fine." I groaned and let her up.

"DC? You want to grab the cups for me, babes?"

"Sure, Mom!" DC hopped up excitedly and I watched them head into the kitchen together.

That was when I spotted all of the eyes on me.

"What?" I groaned as I sat back in the chair. What the fuck had I done now?

"I'll go help the ladies load the dishwasher. Excuse me." Claire disappeared fast.

"It's just nice to see you smile again." My mother's eyes were full of tears.

"I smile."

"Not the way Bree makes you smile." My father was watching me cautiously.

"When she's around you smile and it's in your beautiful eyes." My mother said softly, "She does something to you that no one else can."

"That's how it's always been," My father chimed in, "Just, don't screw it up this time."