Page 67 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Ashley

I spot Nolan as his towering form walks up the steps from the subway station.

He’s battling something inside of him, I can see it in the way he walks.

I had a feeling this is where he'd come out and I was right.

His muscular legs eat up the steps as he appears from the dark stairwell.

The sight of his broad shoulders and solid body makes my heart skip a beat.

I missed him so much in the last couple of months, it's unreal and a little scary.

A little boy gently touches his back, trying to get his attention and a girl with long blonde hair, big hazel eyes, and tons of makeup on shoves him away.

They quickly make their way up the stairs as Nolan turns around, just missing her dragging him away.

Nolan closes his eyes for a minute in the dark stairwell and walks up the steps. He's struggling, I can understand that.

When the girl's voice floats our way, Nolan doesn't see me, but he locks eyes onto the little boy.

I try to holler at him, but he's gone in a flash, heading in the direction the two kids went.

He clenches his hands at his sides as he shoves everyone out of his way.

One man steps in his path and I quicken my pace until I'm right behind him.

Something in Nolan snaps at what the man says to him and I know I must intervene before he knocks this guy on his ass.

I grab his hand gently in mine, the kids are long gone by now.

"Nolan, I'm here," I whisper.

His whiskey eyes, full of pain and rage, whip around to mine and he closes them briefly. When he opens them again, he's back in control.

"Ashley," he whispers my name.

"I'm here Nolan. Let's go back to the motel and regroup," I answer. I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him against me. His tense body relaxes against mine and he rests his arms around my shoulders, hanging on for life.

"You're really here?" he questions.

"Yes, I'm really here. I've missed you. Now come on before someone sees us."

"But I can't. That little boy..." he trails off, hurt and confusion clouding his voice.

"Shh, it will be OK. We'll figure it out." My heart is breaking from the sadness in his tone. I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. I cup his face with both palms and make him look at me. His eyes still take my breath away. "I love you, now let's go."

Not letting me go, he nods his head once.

We turn back and head to the motel he's staying at.

Nolan wraps a strong arm around my shoulders, keeping me close to him.

We make our way through the crowd and into the motel lobby.

He pushes the button and the rickety old elevator doors groan as they open.

We walk inside and before the doors close, his lips are on mine, stealing the breath right out of my lungs.

His hands roughly tug my head back and I open my lips to allow him access.

His hot tongue invades my mouth and I release a whimper from the back of my throat.

He rips his lips away from mine, both of us breathing heavily, trying to calm our racing hearts.

"I needed that," Nolan whispers, his eyes are full of love and lust.

"So, did I. I've missed you."

I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing our bodies closer together.

His woodsy scent dominates my senses, his hardness digging into my lower stomach.

His hands tighten around my hips as his mouth crashes down onto mine again.

He picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. A low growl escapes his lips as his mouth moves to my neck, licking and biting.

The elevator groans to a halt and the doors creak open. Nolan sets me down on my feet and we make our way out. A tingling sensation builds between my legs and I huff out a breath in frustration. He pulls me against him and whispers in my ear, "I feel the same way."

He slides his key into the door and flips on the light. I walk in behind him and shut the door. Before I have the lock turned, Nolan is on me, picking me up again. His hot breath fanning across my neck.

"I need you," Nolan groans.

I grab his hair as he pushes my back against the door, trapping me against him. He thrusts his hips into my heated center. His mouth and tongue lick and bite my neck down to my heaving breasts. My heart is pounding against my chest and my body is overheating with want and desire.

A knock at the door breaks the lust craze we're both in and Nolan releases a deep grumble.

He sets me back down on my feet and I open the door.

Ashton, Christian, Mia, and Redline are all standing on the other side.

Nolan's hot breath is fanning across the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Mia raises an eyebrow.

"Are we interrupting something?" she asks in a teasing in her tone.

Nolan lets out a grumble, his hands gripping my hips. "No, not at all Mia. Glad you guys are here. Bad timing, but that's nothing new with you," he responds, moving us out of the way.

They all enter and suddenly it's tight in here with these massive men standing in the small room. Needing to get out, I gesture to Mia.

"Mia and I are going to get some air," I tell Nolan.

"Are you all right?" he asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need some air and you guys need to talk." I answer, resting my hand on the side of his face. Tingles work their way up my arm from the contact and Nolan nods his head, not taking his whiskey eyes off mine.

"All right just don't go far," he answers.

"We won't. I want to grab a coffee. Jet lag is catching up again. Do you want anything?"

"Nah, I'm good. Just be careful." He wraps his arms around me and pulls me against him, giving me a soul-stealing kiss. Breaking away, I rest my hands on his chest.

"I'll be back in a few."

Mia kisses Christian and we walk out the door.

She's quiet as we step into the rickety old elevator, which is unusual for Mia.

The doors groan open when we reach the bottom floor and walk out of the lobby and into the noisy street.

Mia and I make our way down the street to the nearest café.

People are sitting outside, enjoying the warm weather after a harsh winter.

We walk inside, and the scent of fresh coffee beans assaults my nose, making my mouth water.

"Do you want anything?" I ask Mia as we wait in line.

"I want to know what the hell is going on," Mia answers.

"Not in here. I'll explain what I can in a minute." I respond, staring at the floor.

I'm still not clear why she's here. After everything we've been through when Izzy had that stalker, the last thing I want is for Mia to be around the danger looming ahead.

I don't want her to see what I'm capable of.

She's far too innocent and looks at life with a positive attitude.

If she sees what goes down that will change her whole outlook on life and that's the last thing I want.

We approach the counter and I give the barista my order.

Tapping my nails on the counter as I wait for my coffee, Mia's eyes are burning into the side of my face.

She's ready to unleash holy hell on me. The barista brings my order out and I accept it with a smile.

Adding sugar to my large coffee, I still avoid eye contact with Mia.

We walk out into the warm, spring day and find an empty wrought iron table away from everyone.

I take a seat and Mia sits down next to me.

She's bouncing her leg up and down and her eyes are still watching and waiting.

I take a sip of my coffee and enjoy the bitter, sweet taste coating my mouth and throat, giving me a shot of caffeine.

I set my cup down on the table and finally look at her.

She's worried and scared, but she's pissed too.

I swear you can see the steam coming out of her ears. Her crazy is showing.

"Ashley," she says gently. "Please tell me what's going on.

Christian is being tight-lipped about all of this, just that X and Izzy are missing, and Nolan needed him out here.

I made him bring me with him. He was going to leave me at home.

" Tears are welling in her brown eyes. Well, shit. I don't want her to cry.

"Mia, it's not good. I love your outlook on life and I don't want anything to change that. You should have stayed home, stayed out of this."

"Izzy is my best friend and I want to help. We've all been through a lot in the last year. Please don't push me away."

"It's not safe for you out here, Mia. I wish you would see this.

I don't know all of Nolan's past yet, but if things turn out the way I think they will, it's going to come rearing its ugly head.

I don't want you involved in this shit. It will get really nasty and really dark, fast. I want to protect you the best way I can.

You're not ready for this." I plead with her.

"What if I stay at the motel? I want to be here when you guys get Izzy and X back. I want to be here for them. Please, let me help." she pleads.

Releasing a huff, I sit back and cross my arms. I look at Mia dead in the eyes. She needs to see what I'm capable of, what we're all capable of.

"Have you ever seen Nolan with his shirt off?

" I ask. She shakes her head in confusion.

"There's a reason for that. Mia, these people we're dealing with are not nice.

They're worse than Marie. What Marie did to us, is child's play compared to what these guys will do to us if we’re caught.

" I search around all the people moving past us, going about their business.

"I will show you something, but you have to promise me you won't tell anyone.

Not even Christian. If you think you can handle it, then you can stay.

If not, I want you on the next plane out of here back to Michigan. Agree?"

"Yes." She doesn’t hesitate to answer.

With shaky hands, I pull my phone out of my jeans pocket and pull up my email that Rush sent me.

I had him do some research on the Corridore Rosso Gang Nolan was tied with.

It took him some time, so he wasn't tracked.

I show Mia the first image on my phone. She lets out a startled gasp and puts her hands over her mouth, her brown eyes are wide.

"Oh my God," she says, tears are running down her face.

The image I'm showing her isn't as bad as the others, but it's bad enough.

This one is of a man who crossed their gang and didn't pay up.

His face is bloody and bruised, unrecognizable.

There are knife wounds marring his chest and stomach, bleeding.

He's missing a few teeth and his eyes are swollen shut.

"Mia, do you understand now?" I ask.

She nods her head, tears are still streaming down her face. "Did they do this to Izzy or Xavier?" She asks the question I was hoping she wouldn't.

"I don't know. We haven't heard anything yet."

Mia composes herself and wipes her eyes. "What have you heard?"

"We've only seen a photo."

"So how do you know these people really do have them?"

I click on the next email and hesitate to show her.

Staring at the same image Nolan received, tears well in my eyes.

They don't deserve this. They don't deserve what's happening to them.

Finally finding the courage, I slide my phone across the table towards Mia with an unsteady finger, my heart pounding hard against my chest. She glances down and picks up the phone.

Her shoulders shake and tears stream down her face.

"Oh no," she sobs. Mia runs a shaky finger down the screen. I scoot closer to her and wrap my arm around her trembling shoulders, pulling her against me.

"Do you understand now? Do you see why I don't want you to get involved? I want to protect you, Mia, not bring you into my world. It's bad enough Izzy is thrown into this shit, I'm scared something will happen to you too." I confess, rubbing her arms soothingly.

"Yes, I do, but Ashley, you have to trust that I can handle it." She responds through sniffles.

"Mia, there's more about me I don't want you to see.

I'm worried if you see what I'm capable of, you'll never look at me the same again.

I consider you one of my best friends." A weight lifts off my shoulders, confessing what scares me the most. It isn't about taking another life with no hesitations, it's about losing my closest friends.

"You should let me be the judge of what I know and don't know, Ashley. Give me time to absorb all of this. I'm going to head to a hotel and call Christian along the way." Mia says, standing up and stretching.

I grab my cup of coffee and follow her to the curb. She releases a loud whistle and raises her hand, hailing a cab. One comes speeding towards us and slams on his brakes right in front of her. She opens the back door and turns towards me.

"Ashley, get them back safely. I'll call you in a little while and tell you what I decide to do." She climbs in the back seat and gives the cabbie a hotel name. She pulls out her phone and dials Christian.

"Stay safe Mia and let me know when you get there."

"I will. Thank you for being honest with me and please be careful." She shuts the door and the yellow taxi pulls away, tires squealing.

I watch the taxi, until they're farther down the street, mixing in with the sea of yellow.

A shiver runs down my back and I sink deeper into my hoodie, trying to shake off the cold that suddenly penetrates my bones.

It's still really warm out for spring, but something is settling in my gut that things are going to be taking a turn for the worse really quick.