Page 22

Charlee

I hesitate only a second after Asher leaves before I set the bracelet down on the counter and disrobe.

The last thing I want to do is get it dirty since I finally have it back.

My ankle hurts when I put pressure on it as I climb inside the shower, but not as badly as when I first fell.

The hot water feels like a thousand needles burning against my frozen skin but soon it ebbs away leaving a warm caress in its wake.

Mud and debris swirl down the drain along with the last of the aches in my muscles.

I contemplate staying in here until the hot water is gone, but I don’t want Asher coming in while I’m naked.

The candlelight surrounding me only adds to my relaxed mood.

Steam covers the mirror when I step out.

I’m able to put a bit more weight on my ankle as I reach for the towel off the rack, which is good, but it’s what I find waiting for me on the counter that has me stopping in my tracks.

A fresh pair of clothes is resting against the white tile in a neatly folded pile next to my mom’s bracelet.

It’s a bit unnerving to know Asher could sneak in here without me knowing, but I squash those feelings down and dress.

I slip into the red lace thong and discover he didn’t give me a bra.

Terrific.

I knew he’d find some way to punish me for escaping.

The bastard.

I knew he’d find a way to punish me for trying to escape.

When I slip the white t-shirt over my head a faint hint of whiskey and tobacco hit me.

This one falls to the top of my knees just like the others he’s given me to wear. Never any pants or shoes, though.

A quick glance in the mirror reveals my hardened nipples are very much evident through my shirt. Terrific.

For a brief second I debate hiding out in the bathroom all night, but I‘m wondering if that was his plan all along.

Even still, I don’t want Asher to come looking for me.

He seems calmer so far and I don’t want to push him too far just yet.

On the way out, my eye catches the gleam of the bracelet.

I shove my wrist through the silver hoop and fight the tears that want to fall.

I miss her more than anything.

Having it back feels like a piece of me has come back and it settles my nerves some, but I still need to go and face the music for what I’ve done.

With a heavy sigh, I open the door and tip toe down the stairs as best I can with an injured ankle toward the glow of candlelight, where I hear the rumbling of deep voices.

All conversation stalls as their eyes fall on me the second I enter the kitchen.

Asher’s hair is wet, darkening the brown.

He leans against the counter, shirtless, with all of his tattoos on full display.

The dim glow from the candles flickers against his golden skin.

Smoke from the cigarette resting in between his fingers hovers around him like a halo. It’s a sin that the devil looks this mouthwatering.

Feeling exposed, I cross my arms over my chest and that only makes things worse.

It only draws his attention right to my chest.

There’s no missing the gleam of satisfaction behind his eyes.

I knew he did it on purpose.

I swear I even see the makings of a smile begin to appear on his face, but just as quick as I see it it’s gone.

My eyes are drawn to the rippled wall of muscle like a magnet.

There’s a collage of ink spanning across his chest, but it’s the blue lily over his heart with two fallen leaves that catches my eye.

Something so delicate and soft is such a huge contrast to the hardness of the man standing in front of me.

He’s an anomaly, one I’m determined to figure out.

“Have a seat.”

Zane strokes the ends of his beard with his right hand as he gestures to the open chair between him and Axel. There’s nothing friendly about his words, but there’s no malice either. He’s simply giving me an order.

My eyebrows pinch together as I study him.

I’m not sure what I expected when I walked in, but it isn’t them offering me a seat at the counter like I’m their guest instead of their captive.

Despite the gesture, my feet stay rooted in place.

The cold wooden floor is causing the ache in my ankle to throb, but I still wait them out. I’m on edge with this change in dynamics and haven’t figured out what their new game is.

“Sit, Princess.”

Asher’s words come out rough and deep. I feel the intensity of it down to my bones. It’s enough to knock me out of my stupor.

I nod and hobble toward the black leather chair. The cold of the leather touches the exposed skin of my legs and it’s a bit of a shock to the system, but I manage to keep myself together.

“Ankle still bothering you?”

Asher’s eyes don’t miss a thing.

“Hurts a little, but other than that it’s fine.”

My hands clasp together on the black granite counter in front of me as I take in the rest of the kitchen. Everything is black, from the counter to the appliances. The only contrast is that of the dark wooden cabinets. I’m beginning to think Asher isn’t fond of colors in general.

The silence is deafening. I feel eyes burning into the side of my face and as much as I try to fight it, I can’t help looking in his direction.

Axel adjusts the package of peas resting between his legs and glares at me. A tiny pang of guilt hits me. Perhaps I did more damage than I thought.

“I’m sorry about kicking you in your…”

My words die off as I gesture with my right hand toward his junk.

Axel groans, but doesn’t say anything else. It seems there’s more than one brother who can hold a grudge.

“He’s fine.”

Asher waves off his brother’s words.

“Tell that to my aching dick. I think she broke it, man. I’m never gonna be able to use it again.”

Axel cups the peas closer to his junk. “She kicks like a fucking center back.”

He narrows his eyes at me and my cheeks burn from the attention.

My teeth dig into my bottom lip as the guilt eats away at me, but given the chance I would do it all over again. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t fight for my freedom.

Asher shakes his head at his brother and pours a shot of whiskey. He uses a long tatted finger to slide the shot glass in front of me. “Here, Princess. This’ll warm you up and you’ll forget all about your ankle.”

I toy with the condensation on my glass and stare down at the amber liquid.

“You have done shots before, haven’t you, Hellcat?”

There’s still a bite to Axel’s tone, but it’s softening up a bit. He may even forgive me for nailing him in the balls by night’s end.

My face heats under their scrutiny. “I’ve done shots before. They’re just usually tequila.”

“That ain’t shit.”

Axel snorts. “Drink up, Hellcat. It’ll put hair on your chest.”

Zane watches me and I wish I knew what was going through his head right now because it’s a bit unnerving. When I glance over to Asher for reassurance, his eyes are glued to my aforementioned chest.

I cradle the glass in my fingers and decide to hell with it. Things can’t get any worse tonight. I toss the shot back in one go. It goes down smoothly, but I’m not prepared for the after effects. Heat burns its way up my throat and lights a fire from the inside out. There’s no stopping the cough that escapes me.

“Someone’s a lightweight,”

Axel taunts.

I’m still choking when a glass of water is slid in front of me.

“Drink this and you’ll be okay, Charlee.”

Asher watches me down the water like it’s a lifeline.

“Thanks.”

I wipe my mouth and set the glass back down. The burning has stopped, easing the fire in my stomach. Next time I may opt to eat first.

He nods and rests his elbows against the granite. His blue eyes flicker from his brothers back to me, and that’s when I realize something about his posture is off. Gone is the hard ass attitude. If anything he looks frustrated.

“We need to talk, Princess.”

All the air is sucked out of the room as I feel all three gazes trained on me. My palms sweat the more they continue to stare in silence. I toy with the bracelet around my wrist to keep my nerves steady. Having a panic attack would be the worst thing I could do right now. He’s hesitating. Asher never hesitates. A nervous feeling swirls around in the pit of my stomach

“What is it?”

I’ve never been good at being in the hot seat.

“Just show her, Ash,”

Axel sighs from next to me.

Zane slides his phone into my line of sight and I’m a bit confused when I read the headline on a news site. Then I keep reading and my world stops with each word.

“No. This is fake. It can’t be true.”

Nausea swirls inside my stomach as my vision spins. Everything around me collapses into a void of nothingness. It has to be a trick. “He can’t be dead! He can’t be.”

The muscles in Asher’s cheek twitch as his eyes do something they haven’t done before—soften. He grabs my hand and squeezes. “I wish that were the case.”

“You’re lying!”

I cup my hand over my ears, not wanting to hear anymore.

“I’m not.”

“You have to be.”

I jump to my feet ready to make a run for it when the pain in my ankle stops me. The room begins to spin and I’m not sure if it’s from the whiskey or all of the pain hitting me at once.

“Charlee…”

He moves around the counter to close the distance between us.

“No!”

My hands drop into fists at my sides as I glare at him. “Why are you doing this to me? What have I ever done to deserve this?”

Numbness takes over my entire body as I sway on my feet and brace a hand against the counter.

Asher doesn’t let me be. He grabs me and shoves me against his chest, but I’m so angry I start hitting him. He took those last moments I could have had away from me.

“This is all your fault. I hate you. I fucking hate you!”

My fists pound against his chest, while he continues to hold me.

“What the hell?”

Axel gets to his feet to intervene, but I hear Asher stop him.

“Let her. She needs this.”

I continue to beat him until exhaustion consumes me and I have nothing left. Violent sobs wrack my body as more tears fall down my face. This can’t be happening. It has to be a dream. No. A fucking nightmare.

My vision starts to blacken as I lose my balance, but before I can fall I’m swooped up in a familiar pair of warm arms. Asher carries me up the stairs, but I’m too lost in my own head to protest. Maybe time locked in my cage will help ease the ache in my chest? Through my mental fog, I barely notice Asher pass my room and keep going across the hall into his.

I don’t put up a fight as he sets me down on his massive bed. I don’t move as he pulls back the covers. Not even when he slides in next to me and pulls me into his arms. The warmth of his body does nothing to soothe the cold ache inside of me. I feel dead inside.

He kisses my temple as his fingers lightly stroke my back. “I’ve got you, Princess.”

I cry until I have nothing left. Until I pass out from exhaustion, with Asher soothing me the entire time.