Page 62 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Ashley

The commercial plane touched down at MBS airport and Redline and I make our way through the terminal towards the waiting area.

Rush and the rest of my crew are getting a direct flight to New York City in a few days.

Ashton is pacing back and forth next to a set of black plastic chairs.

The closer I get the deeper the stress lines appear on his handsome face.

"Ashton, what's going on?" I ask as he pockets his phone.

"It's not good. C'mon I realize you're jet lagged but hang in there. The jet is fueled and ready to leave. You can nap on the flight over."

Redline grabs our bags off the conveyor belt and drags them behind him.

We make our way to a private terminal and Ashton opens the door for us.

A gentle breeze greets my skin and the sun warms my face when I step outside.

I inhale the country air and a peaceful serenity wraps around me.

I love this about Michigan. You won't find this sense of peace anywhere else.

I soak it in for a few seconds before all hell breaks loose.

A white, shiny jet waits on the tarmac. The door is open and I walk up the steps and into the beige, plush interior of the jet.

Nolan's woodsy scent wraps around me like he's standing right next to me.

I close my eyes and inhale his essence deeply.

Opening my eyes, I move to a double seat on the right side of the plane, next to the windows.

Peering out into the bright sunlight, I wish Nolan wouldn't have left without us.

I wish he would have confided in me to help.

That hurts the most, but he was there for me when I needed him.

So, I'll be here for him, even if he pushes me away. I will not lose him to his past.

The doors close and the seatbelt sign lights up. The captain’s voice comes across the speakers and I tune him out. Redline takes the spot next to me and settles his hand on my clenched fist. Ashton takes the seat directly across from me and scowls at Redline.

Redline and I have come a long way from where we once were.

After the whole Shaun incident, he finally realized something misguided his heart.

We were never meant to be together and once he figured that out, things have been great between us.

He finally sees me as the leader and sister I was always meant to be, not a lover like he thought.

Someday he'll meet his other half and when he does, she'll knock him on his ass.

Familiar voices to the left of me snap me out of my daze and I peer over Redline’s massive body. Mia and Christian come into view and she lets out a squeal when she sees me. When did they get on board? God, I'm losing my mind. I need to stay alert if I want to help Nolan.

"Ashley? Oh, my God. You're here!" Mia squeals again. She forces her way over to our seats.

"Hey Mia, how have you been?" I ask.

"Better now you're here. Who's this?" she asks, cocking an eyebrow at Redline. She dyed her short black hair red and blue this time. The last time I saw her it was all assorted colors.

"This is Redline, he's part of my crew. Redline, this is Mia, Izzy’s other best friend." I introduce the two.

"Good to meet you, Redline. Now move it or lose it," Mia says, propping her hands on her hips and cocks one to the side. "Ash and I need to talk."

"Well, it's nice to meet you too," Redline’s rich voice responds. He releases my clenched fist and stands up.

"Oh, good looking and a deep voice. The ladies must fall at your feet. Now move it," Mia says. I try to suppress a laugh bubbling up my throat but fail miserably.

"It's all right Redline, go sit next to Christian. Mia and I need to talk." I reassure him. He grunts a response and moves. Mia quickly plops into his seat. She's a ball of energy and does it gracefully. She gently lifts my hand and I relax my grip.

"How have you been?" she asks.

"OK. Just going through a lot right now and Nolan pulling this stunt threw me for a loop. Scared we won't make it to him on time. Worried he won't be the same after this. Terrified for Izzy and X." I answer, shrugging my shoulders.

I lean my head back in the seat as the jet takes off, the ascent dips my stomach to my toes.

Mia does the same and we both stare off into the distance, lost in our own worlds.

She is the only person who can make you open up about things you rarely talk about.

She lets out a little sigh and swings her head in my direction.

"Are we ever going to get a break and just enjoy life?" she asks.

"I don't know. I hope so, but I doubt it'll be soon. When was the last time you talked to Izzy?"

"A couple of weeks ago. She called and told me she was heading back to L.A. to visit you, now I feel horrible for not seeing this."

"Hey, it's not your fault.” I cover my hand over hers and squeeze gently. “I thought they were back here with you. Living it up and having a good time. I had no idea Nolan's past put them in jeopardy. I wish I knew how they were taken."

"I know," Ashton mumbles.

"How?" I ask, snapping my eyes in his direction.

Christian and Redline are leaning towards us from the seats across the aisle and Ashton gestures to them to come over too. Mia stands up and Christian slips into her seat, pulling her down onto his lap. Redline takes the seat next to Ashton. I'm not sure where the rest of their crew is.

“A couple of weeks ago, Xavier received a phone call.

I'm not positive what they spoke about, but whatever it was had them boarding the first flight to New York City.

From what I could dig up, they hailed a cab from the airport and traveled into Manhattan.

From there, they went into a decrepit apartment building, the same one Nolan grew up in, and the rest we all know.

I think it was Switch that called him. He might have threatened Nolan's life or someone else.” Ashton takes a deep breath, folding his big hands in front of him.

“Being the type of guy Xavier is, I would stake my left nut Switch threatened Nolan, and Xavier thought he could deal with it.

The only thing is that Switch has been in the life for a long time and knows how to manipulate people.

He can bend them to his will, and they don't stand a chance.

Which is why I didn't want Nolan going by himself.

They have a terrible past and Nolan's come a long way from where he once was. "

Ashton stares at me. I know what he means, and I shake my head.

They don't need to learn what kind of torture he's been through and how hard he fought to get out.

He assumed he was protecting me by not telling me everything, but I know.

I have my own ways of finding things out.

Which is another reason I hopped on the first flight here.

We need to work on this together. Bring Nolan back home to us.

He will be battling his demon, and I'm the only one who can talk him off the ledge.

I'm the only one who can break through and reach him.

He's my other half and I'll do whatever it takes to make these assholes pay for forcing him to go through this.

That's right motherfuckers, I'm coming for you at full throttle.