“No, it’s not! We can’t even be sure of what the hell he is! He may be a plant sent by one of the other houses!” Brandon, finally getting a chance, jumped in heatedly.
“That fucker has always been suspicious! He doesn’t look like a mine inspector for f**k’s sake! And what’s with that attitude?” he continued, his voice rising with every word.
“Has my father ever struck you?” Ashley commented quietly, interrupting Brandon’s tirade when he paused for a quick breath.
“What?” he asked incredulously.
Ashley’s bright eyes shifted to her dark-haired aide.
“My father, Lord Belarnt, has he ever hit you?” she asked again, as if she were speaking to a child.
Brandon croaked.
Her blue eyes shifted to Adrian. “You?” she asked, inclining her head slightly to the left.
Adrian gaped at her, then sh
