Chapter 7
Seven
Ashton
Chasing after Nova in the dark is like chasing a firefly that keeps escaping your grasp. Tenacious.
I’m on her heels, following her every step as she briskly keeps pace ahead of me. I could easily catch up, but I’m tasked with being her bodyguard, so staying behind her and watching our surroundings is preferred.
“I don’t have to do anything,” she shouts at me, not liking that I’ve told her the truth, that I’m her new bodyguard until Rhys returns.
Rhys, who was supposed to be retired, with a permanent job watching Rylan, who is now entrusted with another family on the island. Dante informed me that he and Rhys worked quickly to have Rylan rehomed and given a new guardian, a teacher at his school.
It leaves a sour taste, the idea of rehoming a child. Rylan is not a pet, and yet, we need the extra manpower and support. Dante trusts Rhys, which means I do as well.
“Except, you do,” I say, and I know she’ll hate me for it, but I still remind her of the truth. “You don’t get a choice.” She’s the daughter of a second in command. She’s as much mafia whether she wants to be or not.
She can’t walk away from that life, no matter how hard she tries.
And boy, does she try.
Nova stops walking and turns around to face me. “No, you don’t get a choice!” she shouts, and then spins on her heel and continues walking, taking the loop that inevitably leads us back to the hospital.
I let her scream, because if that’s what makes her feel better right now, she can shout at me all she wants.
Her father is dying.
I’m surprised the man is still breathing and his heart is still beating after the bullet to the head.
I see where Nova gets her fighting spirit from.
She doesn’t say another word to me, and I can’t quite read if it’s out of anger, annoyance, or hatred as she storms back into the hospital.
Halsey looks relieved to see us. I’m sure he’s aware of my new bodyguard position with Nova. It’s temporary, at least, and while I’d love for it to help rekindle what we had between us, the girl looks at me like I’m a dagger intent on being plunged into her heart.
I never want to hurt Nova.
I didn’t when I told her the truth, that I fully intend on working for my father after graduation. I can’t help that she didn’t like the truth. I would have thought she’d have realized as much, seeing as who her father is, but that was my mistake.
And now, the truth has cost me her.
She slumps down into the chair beside Paige, her mother, and I’m grateful to just be inside, out of the cold. My long-sleeved shirt did little to keep me warm, and only now do I feel the shiver crawl down my spine from the cold.
I stalk to the vending machine and grab myself a coffee. It’s bitter and strong, but the heat from the cup helps warm my hands.
My heart, on the other hand, I’m not sure anything will ever warm that up again.
There’s little good news.
Moreno is in a coma. Paige and Nova are at his bedside, Halsey stands outside the door, making sure only those who are hospital staff or family come into his room.
I keep watch outside the hall, nearby if Nova needs me but far enough to give her space. She finally saunters out into the hallway, her eyelids heavy.
“I’m ready to go home.”
“Of course, I’ll drive you.”
Halsey tosses me his car keys, letting me drive the vehicle back to the compound with my charge.
She’s my responsibility, getting her home safely.
And I don’t take that job lightly.
I wrap an arm around her waist, holding her to me, and she lolls her head onto my shoulder for a fraction of a second while we walk to the elevator. The warmth floods through me like fire; she pulls away, perhaps feeling it too.
Yawning, she straightens her shoulders, acting like she’s awake.
It’s nearly four in the morning.
I’m exhausted.
I can only imagine how she must be feeling.
There’s been no word on Harper. I’ve checked the location on the tracker, and her phone is still heading south on Route 93. Dante seems to be right, she’s heading toward Las Vegas, assuming she’s still in the vehicle and hasn’t fled on foot.
But she’s made no attempt to contact any of us; if she had, Luca would have told me by now.
With the headstart, we can’t catch up to Harper by car.
Dante is working to get us access to a private plane to Vegas in the morning. It’s at least a fifteen-hour drive plus stops for gas.
Fighting sleep, I drive us back to the compound. It doesn’t take long for me to hear Nova softly snoring in the front seat. When I get back to the house, I carefully unbuckle her and carry her inside.
She stirs slightly. “Ashton?” The way she whispers my name sends my heart pounding.
Not now.
Inwardly, I grumble at myself for feeling anything at a time like this.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper and carry her inside and up the flight of stairs to her bedroom.
I’m surprised that she doesn’t fight me. Her arms are warm around my neck and she curls into me, as though we fit perfectly together.
Laying her down on her bed, I remove her shoes and she fumbles out of her coat, tossing it to the floor. Nova climbs under the covers. “Stay with me, please.”
Against better judgment, I oblige, removing my shoes and jacket.
Nova makes room, scooting farther back on the bed, shuffling toward the wall while I climb under the covers with her.
It takes no time at all for me to fall asleep. I’m exhausted and knowing that I’m in Nova’s bed, no one will get to her because they’d have to get through me first.