Page 100 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Ashley

My eyes are ping-ponging between all the activity happening around me.

Xavier, Mia, Nolan, and my best friend Izzy are huddling in the corner.

Nolan’s team is whispering to each other near the windows, Ace, King, and the woman they call Sarah are in a different room.

I didn’t see where they went to. Rush is next to me watching Doc Amber take care of Redline out cold.

I follow Nolan with my eyes and watch as he wraps Izzy in a comforting hug and her body shakes even harder.

“He’ll be out for a while. I need to stitch up the cuts on his chest and arms and I gave him a shot for the pain.

His nose is broken and his jaw is dislocated.

I will have to reset them both, but I’d rather do it where he’ll be staying for a few days instead of doing it now and then moving him and causing more pain.

I’ll let him rest for now. Was there someone else I had to look at? ” Amber says.

“Yes, Izzy. Let me get her for you,” I reply. Standing up from the floor, I walk over to Izzy. My feet are dragging with every step and it’s taking everything I have not to break down and cry. My family’s hurt and who knows what else.

“Izzy,” I whisper, swallowing past the lump in my throat.

She pulls her head from Nolan’s chest and her green eyes are bloodshot from crying.

More tears threaten to escape when she sees me.

“Doc…,” I clear my throat and try again, “The doc wants to look you over.” I offer her a small smile and she nods her head.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Xavier asks.

His voice is full of pain and anguish and his blue eyes are reflecting what he’s feeling.

Izzy shakes her head no and Xavier’s face falls into a frown.

Between Mia and I, we help Izzy up the stairs with the Doc in tow.

I sneak a peek at the guys when we reach the top of the stairs.

Xavier’s fists are balled up and he punches the wall before collapsing against it.

Nolan and Christian are surrounding him, stopping him from inflicting any more pain on himself.

There’s so much pain, heartbreak, and anguish surrounding us all, I know we won’t be the same after this.

Izzy carefully sits on the bed and Amber evaluates her.

Mia is next to her with her arm around her shoulders.

I stay next to the door, protecting her from anyone coming into the room. ,

“Where are you hurt?” Doc asks gently. Izzy points to her head, wrists, and stomach, still not saying a word. “Ok, lay back and I’ll look you over.”

Izzy does what she asks, kicking her dirty shoes off and laying on the bed.

Tears are in her eyes when she closes them.

Amber checks her heartbeat and lungs. Then moves to her wrists, which are raw from the ropes tied around them.

She puts ointment on them and wraps them up with a white bandage. Then she shines a light in Izzy’s eyes.

“No sign of a concussion and your lungs are clear. You’re undernourished and I’m going to start an IV to rehydrate your body.

Do you want a shower before I put your IV in?

” Izzy nods her head and a smile graces her lips as she holds her belly protectively.

“Ok, hun. Let’s get you showered and cleaned up.

I’m going to go and check on Redline and be back in a few minutes. Deal?”

Izzy nods her head and sits up. A squeak passes her lips, and she cradles her stomach, bending over. I run over to her and drop on my knees onto the carpet in front of her. “Izzy, what is it? What’s wrong?” I run my hands over her back in a soothing motion.

“Cramping,” she whispers. That’s the first words she’s spoken since we found her.

“Cramping? Like period cramps?”

“No,” she answers quietly while holding onto her stomach tight. My eyes grow wide with realization.

“You’re pregnant,” I state. She nods her head and tears fall onto her jeans. I’m trying to hold back my tears.

Amber is next to me quickly. “How far along are you?”

“Three months,” she sobs.

“Any bleeding?”

“No. I just started cramping the night they took me from the apartment and threw me into the warehouse.”

“Does Xavier know?” I ask. Izzy nods her head.

“I’ll go and get X,” Mia says through a lump in her throat.

“No, not yet,” Izzy whispers. “He doesn’t know I’ve been having cramps and I don’t want him to know yet.”

“It could be from lack of food and dehydration.” Amber states. “Mia, can you run her a warm bath? That’ll be easier than trying to stand.”

“Yes,” Mia replies and walks quickly into the bathroom. I hear the water turn on and there’s a knock on the door. Izzy’s eyes widen in fright and I move quickly to the door. Cracking it open, I’m face to face with Xavier and Nolan.

“How is she?” Xavier asks.

“She’s OK. We’re going to bath her and Doc is going to start an IV to rehydrate her.”

“Can I see her?”

“Not yet. Let us get her cleaned up and settled in, then you can come in.” Xavier swallows hard and drops his head in shame.

“Hey, this isn’t your fault. I know what you’re thinking.

So, stop it. There are no signs of a concussion or any other injuries.

She needs to rest. We’ll get her cleaned up and settled in. ”

“I should be in there taking care of her.” The anguish in his voice breaks my heart.

“X trust us, please. She’s going to be fine but wants us to help her. It’s a woman and best friend thing. I promise as soon as Doc is done, you can be with her for as long as she needs you. Right now, she needs us.”

“All right, but if something changes, you get me right away. I mean that Ashley. I’ll be out here in the hallway waiting.”

“Deal. Xavier, she’ll be ok I promise.”

“How are you holding up?” Nolan asks.

I peek back at Izzy and she nods her head. I step out of the room and shut the door behind me. I look up and see his whiskey eyes boring into me, pleading to talk to him.

“I’ll be fine. Just worried about my family.” I answer.

“Ash, I want to say I’m sorry for being an asshole.” His big arms wrap around me and he pulls me against his chest. I try to fight against it but relax into his hold.

“I know. I heard it all on the ride over. Yes, you were an asshole, but I was also a bitch. So, basically, we’re even.” I answer. Nolan’s arms tighten around me and I squeeze his waist. “What’s the next step?”

“We’re waiting to hear from Ace’s guys about the drop. If they succeed in stopping it, we’re going after Switch and Wrath. Then I’m going to find my kid and take him home.” My body tenses.

I’m afraid to ask but I must know the answer, “Home where?” I look up into his eyes and press my fingers against his stubble covered cheek. My heart is beating hard against my chest afraid I will lose the one man that’s ever captured my heart and broke through my walls.

“With you, Ashley. Wherever you are, I’ll be there. If you want to go back to L.A. right away, so do I. If you want to go to Michigan with Xavier and Izzy for a while, I’ll be there. I’m not leaving your side.”

Releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, a sob escapes my lips and my body trembles in Nolan’s arms. “Are you sure?” I ask through the lump in my throat.

“Absolutely. That is if you still want me now that I have a kid.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “Did you hit your head when we went into that warehouse?”

“No, but I need to know if you accept me and my baggage,” Nolan laughs.

“You’re a fucking idiot. You know that? I think one of those guys knocked you around a few times.” I say with a grin, patting his cheek. “Of course, I still want you around. Just because you might have a kid, doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you, you big oaf.”

Relief fills Nolan’s eyes and my heart soars with the smoldering look he’s giving me.

I want nothing more than the two of us alone, naked and sweating up the sheets, or couch, or wherever we can find, but there are other pressing matters I must attend to and she’s waiting for me inside that bedroom.

“I have to get back in there. Keep me updated on how it’s going.” I turn to Xavier, “I’ll get you as soon as Izzy’s done.”

“Thank you, Ashley. Will you tell her something for me?”

“Of course.”

“Tell her,” his voice cracks and he pauses. “Tell her I love her no matter what and I’m right here waiting. I’ll wait forever if she needs me too.” Tears spill down Xavier’s cheeks and he leans against the wall.

“I will,” I promise. “I’ll see you in a little while,” I say to Nolan.

His lips descend upon mine and gives me a soft kiss, making me wish for more.

I pull away from his embrace and enter the bedroom without looking back.

Mia and Izzy are in the bathroom and Amber is in the bedroom, setting things up for Izzy.

“Do you need any help?” I ask.

“No, I’m almost done. They should be coming out soon though.”

“Ok, I’ll go and see if they need my help.” I want to ask her about Rush but decide against it and walk to the bathroom door and knock softly.

“Come in,” Mia says.

I open the door slightly and walk inside. Izzy is still in the tub with bubbles surrounding her. She looks frail and weak sitting in there. “Do you need my help?”

“Sure, grab a towel. Izzy is done and I need help getting her out.”

I grab a huge fluffy white towel off the shelf and hold it open. Izzy stands up and I try to hold in a gasp. Her bones are poking through her pale skin from lack of food, but her belly has a slight bump. A smile graces my lips when I realize what this means.

“What?” Izzy asks softly.

I wrap the towel around her and help dry her off. “You’re going to be a mom,” I exclaim. “A wonderful mom at that. I’m so happy for you Izzy.”

Her eyes light up with excitement. “I’ve been afraid to think about it. I didn’t want to get attached and have them take it away from me.” I hear the slight tremble in her voice.

“You’re safe now, Izzy. So, let’s get you healthy and no one will ever harm you again. Does your dad know?”

She shakes her head as Mia is trying to dry it off. Her long blonde locks are shining and with the dirt and grime off her, I can see the deep purple bruising on her legs and arms. Anger thrums through my body thinking about someone hurting this sweet innocent woman.

We help Izzy in bed and once she’s settled and doc puts her IV in, I get Xavier.

He comes barging into the room, at her side in an instant and I leave them alone.

Finding Nolan downstairs, I try to keep my temper in check, but the fury running through my veins is hard to control. My hands are trembling with rage.

I want to kill these fuckers for putting my family through all this bullshit.

“What’s the word?” I ask approaching Nolan, Rush, King, and Ace.

“Nothing yet,” Ace responds.

“Something’s wrong. That meet was hours ago.” Dread fills my stomach and I pace the room. “You should have heard something by now.”

“I know, but I can’t get ahold of anyone.” Ace growls, dialing another number on his cell.

My eyes shoot to Nolan. “We’ve got to go there. Something isn’t right.”

“Marks, can you pull up footage of The Graveyard?” Nolan shouts.

Marks hurries to the laptop and after a few clicks, he searches the cameras. “Got it.”

We crowd around him and watch. Ace’s men move into position, hiding in the shadows. Marks fast forwards and nothing happens. No Switch, Wrath, or the boat moving in for the shipment. Suddenly the screen fills with red and blue lights.

“Stop,” I shout. Marks stops fast-forwarding when we see the cops rush onto the pier where Ace’s men are and handcuff them.

“Motherfucker!” Ace screams. “It was a fucking set up and now they have my men. That’s why I couldn’t get ahold of them. Fuck. This isn’t good.”

Suddenly Nolan’s cell phone rings and he digs it out of his pocket. The caller ID says unavailable, but it’s a New York area code.

“Yeah,” Nolan barks into the phone. His fingers tighten on it so hard his knuckles turn white.

“Listen to me, motherfucker. I’m done playing your games.

I’m coming for you and you won’t know when.

” He stops talking for a beat. “Oh, I’ll be there, and you bet your ass you won’t be walking away.

” His voice is low and deadly, and a smirk graces his lips.

I’ve seen that smirk before. He’s channeling his hate and rage and letting the demons he fights daily take over.

There’s something different about him this time though.

He’s in control of the evil and God have pity on any soul who gets in Nolan’s way because he will show no mercy.