Maggie

I stared at the clock, and it's 6 am.  I can't sleep after everything that's happened, and I'm sick of being in this damn house.

I got up and put on a pair of leggings and a tank, then threw my hair up in a ponytail.  After I put on my socks and gym shoes, I checked on Greer.

I stopped and gasped when I saw Asher holding her while they slept.  I'm unsure how long I stood there taking a mental picture of their image.

She looks so tiny and peaceful in his arms, and I could swear he has a smile on his face.

I'm so happy to see this, because I have no idea what will happen tomorrow.

I left her room, gently shutting the door before going downstairs.  "What are you doing up?" Matthew was in the kitchen.

"Can't sleep, and I need a workout," I answered.

"Are you going downstairs?  I was about to work out myself." He said.

"Have anything against a partner?" I asked.

"Not at all.  I'll meet you down there when you're ready." He walked away, and I grabbed a water from the fridge before heading down.

I made it to our makeshift workout room for the time being, and Matthew was already hitting the punching bag.
This isn't our permanent gym.  I had some weights, a treadmill, exercise bike, and punching bag put in here until the contractors finish the room.

I stepped on the treadmill and put on my earbuds before I started the machine.  A Pat Benatar song came on, and I ran for about 20 minutes before shutting it off.

"How do you actually do this?" I asked about the punching bag.

"I'll show you."

He helped me spread my legs to stand in a way I had the most control.  "Line your fists up." I did as instructed.

Somehow we went from the punching bag, to self-defense moves.

"When are you going to tell me what's going on here?" He asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Dario is no businessman.  I know a Marine when I see one, and Asher owns Renegade Guns.  You no longer leave the house, and the extra staff has no idea what they're doing, along with a lot of whispering."

I walked over and took a drink of my water.  "They're extra security because of my inheritance. There's someone who feels it shouldn't be mine.  The situation is under control."

"There's nothing else I should know?"

"Nothing I can share.  Come on, show me some kicks."

He did that, then showed me how to get out of a headlock.  We were both sweaty, and I have to admit it felt nice having strong arms around me.

Finally, after several attempts, I had him on the ground.

The tables turned when he flipped us around and got on top of me.  "Don't let your guard down." He stared down at me with a smirk. "You'll find yourself in a compromising situation."

I'm not sure how it happened, but his lips came down on mine.  "You're beautiful." His lips left mine and trailed down my neck.

I shivered before his lips returned to mine, and he grinded against me.

I jumped when the door opened, and I pushed Matthew off me.  "Don't stop on my account." Asher slammed the door and left.

"Dammit!"

I sprinted out the door and grabbed his arm.  "What the hell is your problem?"

"I don't have a problem."

"Why did you slam the door?  Is it so bad that somebody gave me some attention after being caged up in this house for days?"

"You're an adult.  Do what you want, obviously that's what you always do!"

"Why would you be angry?"

"My daughter is upstairs, and that man works for you!  I can make a long list of what is wrong with what I just saw, but you're right, it's not my business." He went to walk away, and I broke down.  I lost it, every emotion I've avoided for weeks came to the surface.

"I'm scared, Asher!  Everything I thought I knew about myself is wrong.  I have nobody left but Greer, and you'll be taking her away. The rest of my family is dead, and I have nothing.  I had to plan a double funeral all by myself, and nobody even showed up to say goodbye.  That's going to be me someday."

I fell to the ground and cried.

He sighed before he sat down next to me.  "I'm not taking her away, Maggie.  She feels safe with you, and she needs you.  We'll figure something out, I promise, and you're not going to die alone."

"I think she did it, Asher.  They thought their secrets would die with them, and that would save Greer."

He paused.  "Either way, she didn't want to die.  No matter how you look at it, he killed her.  She never wanted to leave you years ago, but she thought she was protecting you, then she did it with Greer."

"So you think she did it too?" I asked.

"At first I didn't, but now I don't know.  I really don't know."

"I don't want to be alone anymore.  I've been dying inside for years now, and the one person that said he loved me was using me.  He played me, and I was so foolish."

"Greer knows I'm her dad.  She said her mom told her, but she could never tell anyone because of the bad man." He reached over and took my hand. "I told her that we are family.  It's the three of us, and we will make this work. We need to be friends, because I'm sorry, but you're stuck with us."

No way!

"She said her dad is Ash Renegade."

"The way she can interpret information is funny sometimes," I said.

"She said Diara and her would look at your photo in magazines, and Diara told her you're a real-life princess."

I smiled through my tears.  "My sister used to tell me I was a real princess and the other girls were just jealous."

"I'm sure they were jealous." He said.

"God, I can't believe I just did something so stupid.  He's a great guy and hot as hell, but I don't even see him that way. What's wrong with me?"

"A person can only handle so much at one time before they snap.  You wanted to feel loved, and it's understandable.  I'd be lying if I said I haven't had weak moments.  You just have to pick yourself up and move on." He advises.

"Maybe Greer isn't the only one that needs a nanny." I made fun of myself.

"Yeah, it's not even 8 yet, and you've got all day to make bad decisions."

I smacked his arm and laughed.