Page 72 of Racing Dirty Trilogy Box Set

"We'll pick this up later," Ashley says, breathlessly. I pull her against me to know how hard I am for her and she lets out a little gasp. "Definitely later."

I let go of her hips and we walk hand in hand down the busy street.

I keep my head down and try not to make eye contact with anyone passing by us.

I feel exposed out in the open and stop under a construction beam when we round a corner.

Ashton, Redline, Christian, and Ashley stop with me, giving me a questioning look.

"I feel too exposed." I reach into my duffle bag and pull out my Detroit Tigers baseball hat and a black hoodie. I put the hoodie on and pull the cap down low on my forehead to cover most of my face. "I'm ready."

"Good idea," Ashley says, as she snuggles into my side. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and we walk to the subway station.

Once we're down the steps, into the underground world of trains, bums, and entertainers, Ashley removes her Aviators and sets them on top of her blonde hair, discreetly scanning the people walking past us. Her body is tense under my arms, watching and waiting for something to happen.

We make our way to the dirty platform. A woman is singing in the middle platform, separating the trains coming and going.

She's strumming an acoustic guitar playing a sweet melody that floats off the walls and touches your soul. People walk past, ignoring her or dropping change in the guitar case, but she doesn’t make eye contact as she keeps playing, her head down and her beautiful voice drifts our way.

Vibrations echo in the tunnel and the wind picks up speed, ruffling Ashley's hair around her face.

I watch her check out the people around us.

The train comes in and screeches to a halt.

The doors open and we get on as other people get off.

Taking a seat in the back of the car, I pull Ashley down next to me and hold her close.

Ashton, Redline, and Christian all surround us standing up, hanging on the bar above their heads.

"So, what's the plan once we get to the apartment?" Ashley asks.

"We're going to get settled in and then Redline, Christian and I will scout the neighborhood. See what we can come up with." Ashton answers, looking around to determine if anyone's eavesdropping.

"What are we supposed to do and are you bringing Mia with you?" Ashley asks.

"You're going to stay low and out of sight and no Mia’s staying right where she's at." Christian answers. "I'm going to visit her after our scouting mission and see how she's holding up, then get our SUV and bring it back with all of our stuff."

"I hate being out of the loop," Ashley huffs.

"I can think of ways to keep us busy," I whisper. Ashton grunts and Redline rolls his eyes.

"And that's why we're leaving. The tension in the air is unbearable." Christian states with a smirk.

"Has anyone heard anything about Xavier and Izzy? After hearing your story, Nolan, I'm really worried about them." Ashley says.

"So far, no harm has come to them," Ashton responds.

"How do you know?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I have eyes and ears all over this city.

Marks and Ramirez flew in an hour ago and they're scouting the area.

They've made it into the apartment building where Xavier and Izzy are and planted cameras outside the door and some surveillance equipment around the building.

They can't get in though. It's heavily armed with an alarm system and there's always someone guarding the inside of the door.

So, we have to tread carefully." Ashton tells us.

"But they've actually seen them?" she asks hopefully.

"Yes. They caught Xavier on camera. He's OK. Only a few bruises, but we need to get inside and get them out. Once Switch realizes we're here, I don't think it'll stay that way." Ashton responds. There's more he isn't telling us. I can see it in his eyes.

The train lurches around the bend and Redline loses his footing. He stumbles forward before straightening.

"Those curves suck," he grumbles.

"Redline, how much do you know about fighting?" I ask.

"I'm surprisingly good. Never really tested myself, but I've never lost a fight before either."

"How many fights have you been in?" I ask.

"Oh, I'd say at least two." Ashley snorts and Redline narrows his eyes at her. "Hey, I did pretty well holding my own." he protests.

"Yeah, you did, Redline. It's just weird. I'm not used to you fighting. You're more like a lover, not a fighter, but it's what you want to do. Just please be careful." Ashley concedes.

"I will. Thank you, Ashley."

Our train slows down and lurches to a stop.

Ashley and I stand up and Christian and Ashton are the first ones at the doors.

Redline is standing behind us, blocking the other passengers.

We shove our way through the doors, past all the New Yorkers, and up the concrete steps, emerging onto a busy sidewalk in the heart of Manhattan.

I keep my eyes on Ashton's feet, not raising my head to look around.

The scent of exhaust fumes and Italian food fills my nose and my stomach growls loudly.

Ashley has her hand in mine and she lets out a small giggle.

"Are you hungry?" she teases.

"For more than food," I growl, draping my arm around her and dragging her close to my chest.

The sun is setting, and the spring air has turned chilly. Ashley wraps her arms around my waist and snuggles closer. Goosebumps break out across her skin and I rub her arms to keep her warm.

"Dang, I should've grabbed a hoodie from my bag before we left," she grumbles.

"I'll keep you warm," I whisper in her ear. She hums her approval, vibrating my chest, and it sends a blast of lust flowing through my veins. "The things you make me feel." I pull her closer and wrap my arms around her tighter.

"That's perfect." She approves.

"Not much further guys," Ashton says over his shoulder.

I sneak a glance at our surroundings and stumble to a halt.

My heart beats hard against my chest and it's not because of the beautiful blonde wrapped around me.

My body is trembling, and my ears are ringing.

Memories are trying to surface, painful and powerful memories.

There's a huge brown brick building looming in front of me.

This is where it all began.

"Nolan, are you OK?" Ashley asks. She rests her hands on my thumping heart. "Nolan, talk to me." She pleads.

"I...shit...," Stumbling through my words, I take a deep breath and try again.

"This is where it all began." I finally whisper.

"Xavier and Izzy are in that building and I can't do a fucking thing about it.

" Anger replaces the fear as I stare at the apartment building.

My hands shake and it's not from the cold.

Ashton slowly walks up next to me with his hand out in surrender.

There must be something I'm relaying because he only does that when the demon is trying to take over.

I've had it under control for years, except when Ashley's life was on the line and her asshole ex tried to kill her.

I clench and unclench my fists. My body's thrumming with rage and the monster I keep under a strict lock and key is trying to surface.

I fight it back to maintain control but I'm failing.

"Nolan," Ashley’s voice penetrates through the bloodlust trying to take over.

Her soft hands caress my face gently. "Come back to me.

I need you here, with me." She whispers against my lips.

I wrap my arms around her and yank her against me.

I don't want to hurt her, but I have no control right now.

"Back away," my voice is low and deadly, but my hands grip her hips tighter.

"No," she responds firmly. "I'm not letting you go."

"I don't want to hurt you, but I have no control." I grit out through clenched teeth. The demon is banging against my insides, wanting out. It demands to shatter everything in its path. It needs blood and revenge.

"Yes, you do. Nolan, look at me," she says pulling my face away from the apartment and towards hers, looking at me in the eyes.

"You have control. It doesn't own you. You own it.

Lock it up and come back to me." I pull her closer trying to fight it.

Trying to lock it away. "Ashton, back away, I've got this," she asserts, not breaking eye contact with me.

My eyes leave hers and fixate on the three men surrounding us.

Revenge vibrates my bones and I'm close to losing it, losing all control and submitting to the demon. They're closer than they need to be to my woman holding onto me. Black dots appear on the edges of my vision and I take a deep breath, not taking my eyes off them. They’re extremely close and I will wipe out every last person who tries to come near the woman I’m hanging onto for life.

I will snap their necks and burn their bodies if they try to touch either of us.

Strawberries assault my nose and Ashley keeps talking trying to bring me back, but I can't hear her.

My heart is beating rapidly, and I watch the three men back away.

"That's it, now come back to me," Ashley says in my ear, breaking through the ringing.

"I'm here with you. No one else. It's just the two of us.

" She pulls my head back towards hers, forcing me to stare into her light brown eyes.

She smiles, and it lights up the world around me.

The demon I battle with recognizes her and settles down.

I'm now in more control as it let's go of the bloodlust.