Thirteen.
Ashlee
Things had returned to normal, if you counted being under constant watch normal. In the past two weeks, either Mags or Ethan had kept a constant eye on me, and it was starting to grate on my nerves, especially with Christmas next week.
I hadn't even been allowed to go shopping because both of my men were too busy. I was forbidden to go alone, instead them telling me to order it online, which I'd resulted to doing in the end.
You have to come out tonight. We haven’t seen you in weeks.
I scoffed at Hannah's message. I needed to get out of here but like they were going to let me.
Where are you going?
I typed a message back.
Hooligans club.
A snort left me this time. It wasn't happening if my men had their way. Especially considering that club was on the opposite side of town.
Since when did marriage mean that you were under lock and key? Come on, girl. We need to catch up.
She had a point. I was meant to be a free woman now. I had my own choices to make and I wasn't working tonight. Why shouldn't I go?
It was settled, I was telling Ethan that I was going out tonight. He wasn't getting a say in how I lived my life, and I had a right to spend time with my friends. He couldn’t cage me.
I'll meet you at your house.
I grinned as I sent the message to Hannah, the act of defiance sending a burst of adrenaline through my bones.
I was just about to go and knock on Ethan's office door when he poked his head into the sitting room, saving me the trouble.
“Ash, I need to run to the club. Something's popped up. I won't be long.”
Even better, I could leave him a note and go while he was gone. I'd deal with the consequences later.
I chickened out of being honest. “Yeah, okay,” I said.
“Maybe we can watch a film together tonight?” He asked with a loving smile.
Well now I just felt guilty.
Then I remembered that I'd been trapped in this house ever since we'd gotten back. The only place I'd been to was his bloody strip club to work. I needed a night out.
I nodded, not quite finding the words to point blank lie to him.
As soon as the front door closed, I went upstairs and quickly changed into a short black dress suitable for a club like Hooligans. It was more run down than Mario's, but we'd been there before. It did the job, providing a cheap fun night out while getting pissed.
I scribbled a note to Ethan, leaving it on the kitchen counter before leaving his house and making my way to Hannah's. It was a good half an hour walk, but the fresh air was a welcomed change to being stuck indoors, plus I was early. We'd be taking a cab to the club later.
The moment Hannah opened the door and saw me, she threw her arms around my neck. “Fuck, girl, it’s been an age.”
I chuckled. “It has, but with the honeymoon and then going back to work, we’ve been busy.”
“And your men keeping you to themselves.”
“And that.” She had no idea.
“Anyway, come in and tell me everything. Start with the awesome vacation. I mean, two for the price of one must be good.”
We had a few drinks while I caught her up on almost everything. I left out the details on the relationship between the three of us. She didn’t need to know about the awesome threesomes or the sex club.
“I didn’t realise that those men could be romantic.” Hannah chuckled.
“Occasionally they can.”
By the time Grace turned up, we were feeling the effects of the alcohol. It was a good indicator of how tonight was going to go and I was clearly going to feel shit in the morning, but I was glad to be here.
Hopefully, Ethan wouldn’t snap at me until I recovered. There was no way that he wasn't going to be angry about me going out without him. The note would only enrage him more, but he'd forgive me. Couples fight occasionally, didn’t they? At the end of the day, we were married so he’d forgive me.
The chill in the night’s air was enough to sober us up a little bit while we queued to get into the club. It also made me regret not bringing my coat. This short dress wasn't enough for the December weather.
“Need more drinks,” Hannah said once we got inside the club.
“Definitely,” I said.
“Need to catch up with you two.” Grace laughed.
The drinks flowed in between dancing, and the time ticked on. This was exactly what I needed, a night of freedom out with my friends.
I flopped into an empty seat and closed my eyes for a moment. My head was spinning a little, but it was a welcomed escape.
“Ash, Ethan has left me a ton of messages and missed calls.”
I chuckled, turning to smirk at her. “I left my phone at home.”
“Shall I reply?”
“Hell no. He'd be over here if he knew where we were.”
Grace and Hannah both laughed. “Did you not tell him?”
“Nope. I left him a note saying that we were having a girls night out clubbing and that I'd see him tonight.”
“He’s clearly mad.”
“Yeah, well, I'm his wife, not his prisoner. Let him be mad.” I shrugged. “Anyway, let’s forget about the men. How about another round of drinks and a dance?”
“Sure thing, girl.” Hannah chuckled.
By the time we called it a night, my feet were aching and I was officially drunk, but we'd had a blast. It felt like old times before I started pulling double shifts at the bar.
Hannah was just about to call a cab when a sleek black car screeched to a stop beside us. The back door flew open, making us step back anxiously. “Get in the car,” a man growled in a thick accent.
“Ash…” Grace whispered, her voice trembling.
“I won't ask you again.”
“Fuck,” I hissed, glancing around. The few people nearby edged away, clearly unwilling to help.
“Get in,” the man barked.
Even in my drunken haze, I recognised that accent.
I went to take another step back, but the man stepped out of the car. Dmitry. He levelled a gun at my two friends. “I only want to talk, Prezello. Now, don’t make me ask again.”
“No,” Hannah hissed. "You can’t take her.”
“Don't worry, pet, you'll get your friend back in one piece. It's not her I want.”
“Fine.” I held both of my hands up in surrender. It wasn't like I had a choice when he had a gun.
“Leave your bag with them.” He jerked his head at it.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“You don’t, but I do only want to talk. Either obey or I'll shoot.”
I threw my bag at Hannah and then stepped towards the car, Dmitry quickly ushering me inside.
I found myself alone in the back of a car with Dmitry Volkov, the man who had tormented my husband and shot me on our wedding day. My heart pounded as I realised the gravity of the situation; nothing good could come from being at the mercy of a ruthless mafia kingpin.