Page 71 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

Nolan

Tears are in Ashley's eyes and her warm fingers are running gently across the scars left behind from that torturous night.

"How can you trust anyone after that?" she quietly asks. I kiss the top of her head before answering.

"It wasn't easy, but Izzy helped me trust again. She kept after me, when I moved to Michigan, and finally wormed her way into my heart. She's a light in the darkness. Xavier, Mia, and Izzy all helped me see that there's peace in a world of darkness and I learned to trust again." I answer.

"What happened after you blacked out?" Redline asks.

"I came too, next to a dumpster in an alley, rain pelting my skin causing more pain and washing away the blood.

The pain thrumming through my body almost made me pass out again, but the will to survive took over and I crawled my way to the street.

Some guy spotted me and ran over to help.

I couldn't talk or move anymore. Drained of all my energy, I passed out again.

I came to several times in the ambulance and once on the operating table.

The doctors had to stitch up the worst cuts and repair the damage done to my muscles.

If she would have gone an inch deeper, I wouldn't be here now.

I spent several days in the hospital being questioned by detectives.

My mother didn't show up once to see me and when they were getting ready to discharge me, my grandfather showed up.

He got me my own place to stay away from everyone and hide while I healed.

" I haven't told anyone how I escaped the gang and I don't know if I ever will.

If Switch discovers, he'll kill me for sure.

"After I healed, I returned to the apartment Switch lived in and acted like nothing happened.

I had no choice. If I didn't go back, then they'd find and kill me.

Wrath tried to cozy up to me, but I threw her advances back in her face and only did my job while plotting a way to get out. "

"How did you get out?" Christian asks. He's leaning up against the small window, his face is pale from my story.

"That's a long story I don't want to get into.

It wasn't pretty, but a few months after the basement incident, I found my escape and took it.

I changed my name, got my mother out, and left.

They had no idea where I went to and that worked to my advantage.

As far as they knew, I was dead, and my body was never found.

" I look down into Ashley's light brown eyes filled with tears.

"I understand this scares you and you don't want to let Redline go in, but I think it can work.

We need to get inside and I can't do it.

Switch still has control over my mind after years of being subjected to his hate.

But if I have you by my side, I can fight him and together we can help Redline while he's in there. "

"Ok, but we need to have a plan on how to get him out if things take a turn," Ashley responds.

I turn my head and look at our small group.

Christian is now pacing back and forth from the window to the small table Ashton is sitting at.

Ashton is on his laptop he pulled out, his fingers flying over the keys.

Redline is leaning against the wall, lost in his own thoughts and Ashley is still leaning against me.

Her hands are soft and warm against my bare skin.

"Redline, we need to find a gym to teach you the basics of being in a fight club.

I need to see what you can do and who to match you with.

" He nods his blonde head, he looks scared, but that's good.

He needs to remember it isn't all fun and games in The Circle.

"Ash, how long until Rush and the rest of your crew get here? "

"I don't know. Let me call Rush and find out.

" She stops running her fingers across my skin and I immediately miss her touch.

Before she can get her phone out, I pull her against me and my lips descend upon hers.

She runs her hands through my hair, opening her mouth to allow me access.

Slipping my tongue inside, she releases a whimper I swallow up as our tongues battle back and forth.

My groin tightens and my heart stutters in my chest. Pulling away our breaths are rapid against each other's lips.

"Hmm, what was I doing?" Ashley asks, trying to get her breathing under control.

"You were calling Rush," I answer with a smirk.

"Oh yeah. You've got to stop doing that." She responds, giving me a wink.

I watch her ass as she opens the door and walks out into the hallway. Closing it behind her, I thank God every day for bringing her into my life and loving me, scars and all. Ashton clears his throat and I drag my eyes away from the door towards his massive frame, sitting at the small table.

"I found us a gym and an apartment to rent right near the Corridore Rosso Gang. They won't know we're there as long as you keep a low profile. Christian and I will work the fighting scene, you stay out of sight and if you go anywhere, disguise yourself."

Ashley comes back in with a smile lighting up her face. "Rush will be here tomorrow. The rest of my crew needs to stay back in L.A. but he's coming." She looks at Ashton and his face falls for a moment before schooling his features. "Natalia asked me to tell you she'll see you soon, Ashton."

He nods his head and gets up from the table, closing his laptop.

"Come on let's get to our new place." His voice is surly and disappointed.

I would be too if the woman I wanted keeps skirting the attraction there.

I'm still not happy with Natalia, but it's Ashton's life and he likes her, so he can do what he wants.

I grab my bag off the bed and we walk down the dirty hallway toward the elevator.

I push the button and wrap my arm around Ashley as we wait.

She snuggles into my side and my heart picks up speed.

I hope we have separate apartments while we're here.

I really need to get inside of her again.

The tightening in my jeans is a sign it's been way too long.

Her strawberry shampoo penetrates my nose and I inhale deeply as she lets out a soft sigh.

"What are you thinking?" I whisper in her ear.

"That we need our own place," she whispers back.

The elevator dings open and we all walk into the cramped space. The doors close and it groans as it begins our descent.

"I hope this thing holds our weight. It would suck if we all plummet to our deaths in here." Christian jokes.

"Ha-ha. I hate this elevator. It gives me the creeps." Redline says with a shudder.

It finally stops on the ground floor and the doors creak open slowly. Ashton and Christian step out first, their eyes are scanning the whole floor before letting Ashley and me out. When they're satisfied it's clear, they move out of the way. I kiss Ashley on the head.

"I'll meet you outside. I need to check out."

"OK, I'll see you out there." She responds by grabbing my face and kissing my lips gently. Blood thrums through my veins from her gentle touch. She releases me and walks with Christian and Redline out the door and out of my sight.

I hurry over to the receptionist and toss my keycard on the desk with a slap, making the receptionist jump. Ashton is right behind me.

"Checking out already, Mr. Nolan?" It's the same chick from earlier. She licks her lips as she looks up and down, and then her eyes fall on Ashton's towering form behind me.

"Yeah, don't need the room anymore," I grunt.

"Bummer, I could have shown you a good time." She snatches the keycard off the counter with a pout and types on the computer. "There, all checked out. Here's your receipt and if you change your mind, my number’s below."

She slides the receipt across the counter and sure enough, her number is written below. I say nothing and hand the receipt to Ashton. He barks out a gruff laugh at the receptionist and crumples the receipt.

"Sorry sweetheart, but my man here isn't interested."

"What about you? You look like you could give a girl a night of pleasure." She says batting her eyelashes.

"Barking up the wrong tree, sweetheart." Ashton throws his huge arm around my shoulders, trying not to laugh. "Ready babe?" He asks in a high-pitched voice.

"Yeah," I answer, trying to hold my laughter in at the dumbfounded expression on her face. We turn from the counter and I punch Ashton in the stomach. "Dude, what the fuck?" I ask when we're out of earshot. He lets out a grunt.

"Sorry, she was laying it on thick and made my skin crawl. I couldn’t help but fuck with her." He's not sorry, he's trying not to laugh.

"Just, bro, don't touch me. That creeps me out more than anything.

" I respond with a shudder as we walk out the door and into the bright sunlight.

It's warm against my skin and all my worries melt away when I see Ashley.

She's leaning against the brick building and has her head tipped back towards the sun, her Aviators are perched on her nose, blocking the light.

She looks relaxed and ready. I approach her quietly and settle my hands on her hips, leaning against her soft body.

Nibbling her neck, she releases a soft sigh and runs her hands through my hair, pulling me closer.

I kiss my way up her neck to her lips and she shudders under my grip, connecting her lips to mine.

Lust roars through my veins and I instantly harden in my jeans as her soft velvet tongue invades my mouth.

Her sweet taste overtakes my senses and I let out a deep groan from the back of my throat, forgetting we're in the middle of the street.

"Guys, we need to get moving," Ashton says behind me.

I drag my lips away from Ashley's and rest my forehead against hers. Her rapid breathing floats towards my mouth and I want nothing more than to rip her clothes off and have my wicked way with her.