Chapter 30
ASHER
Having Lily pressed up behind me on my Triumph is something else. I get the urge to just keep riding and let the road take us somewhere far fucking away from Hedgwick, but I know things aren’t that simple, and doing that would just cause more problems for Lil.
She gives me a squeeze as I slow and turn into the driveway that leads to The Rough House, and as I straighten the bike, I run my hand up and down her thigh, not wanting to stop touching her.
I’m addicted to this woman. A complete fucking junkie for her. I’d walk through fire for her, without a doubt.
I’m fucking chuffed that she agreed to come with me tonight.
I never imagined bringing her here, but when I told her I was going to cancel, what with everything that’s happened this week with the salon getting shot up a couple of days ago and given Joel’s funeral is tomorrow, I kinda thought I should.
She had other ideas.
Pulling up, I shut off the engine, kick down the stand and remove my helmet.
Lily climbs off, distracting me with the curve of her hips in those black wet-look skin-hugging pants, making my fucking cock stir.
Fuuuck. The last thing I need is a boner while trying not to fucking die.
As Lily tugs off her helmet and releases a waterfall of copper waves, I get off my Triumph and fucking stare at how hot she is.
She looks badass tonight. Nothing like the soccer mum look she normally has going, which, I still think is fucking hot.
“You ready for this?” I ask, and she nods, those pretty pink lips kicking up at the corners.
“Absolutely.”
Even as hot as she looks right now, I can still see the worry she carries behind her eyes.
She’s bearing so much weight. So much pain.
I wish I could reach inside her chest and take it all away for her, ease all her worries with a single kiss, take away all her burdens with a single touch, and remove any threats with my bare fucking hands.
I go to step towards her, but headlights wash over us as more cars pull in, and I find myself stepping back.
“Asher, if me being here is going to bother you, I can go,” she states, a slight frown tugging at her brows.
“No,” I rush out, closing the distance and reaching out to touch her, but then thinking better of it. “I want you here… I just don’t know how to act…” I leave that open, hoping she’ll pick up my meaning, and she does.
“To everyone, we should look like the really good friends we are.” She smiles confidently, and I sigh, knowing that would be her answer, but wishing we lived in a world where we could show everyone we are more than just friends.
“So I guess kissing you is out of the question?” I smirk and she shoots me a really look. “No holding hands, either?”
This time, she rolls her eyes. “Save it for when we get home.”
It’s the first time in days that there’s been any sort of sexual innuendo between us. Naturally, given the circumstances after the attack on the salon, but still, it’s nice to hear she still thinks of me that way, and that we haven’t actually morphed into a best buddies kind of situation.
“I’ll take you up on that.” I point at her, and she grins.
“I do hope so.”
She flutters her lashes and blows me a kiss before turning and walking towards the entrance.
For fuck’s sake… now my cock really is hard.
I shift the stiff fucker in my jeans so I can walk properly before taking off after Lily, wishing I could find a dark corner to drag her into and show her what she does to me.
Fuck, I hope my boner goes down before I fight.
This week has been a blur.
News quickly spread through Hedgwick and beyond about the drive-by shooting at Lily’s hair salon. Barrett showed up in a fucking rage, ready to burn the whole fucking world down for his cousin, which just made me like him even more.
The twins, who had been radio silent since finding out they have a sister that Lily didn’t tell them about, called, frantic to see if she was safe.
She cried again, a mix of happiness to hear from them, and pain for what’s happened.
She was on the phone with them for over an hour, trying to convince them she was alright and safe, and that they should stay on campus and not come home.
In the end, I took the phone from her and told the twins that I’m looking after their mum, and I won’t let anything happen to her.
That seemed to appease them, and it made me conjure up all sorts of scenarios about a world where Jude and Ronan would be happy about me being with their mum.
Deep down, I know that will never happen.
The bobbies have dropped by every fucking day since to check in and ask more questions. Apparently, they think the shooters are part of a local gang, but are unsure which one yet. This is part of the reason I think Lily was so keen to come tonight, aside from supporting me.
She’s determined to find the people hunting her.
Inside the venue, the crowd is thick and loud, and there’s no way for us to move through it without holding on to each other unless we want to get separated.
Lily picks up on this straight away and weaves her arm through mine as we work our way through the crowd.
Shiv is easy to find with his silver hair standing out amongst the mostly darker shades, and I lead Lily up to him, introducing her as a friend.
He doesn’t even bat an eye about it, but I don’t miss the way his gaze roams over Lily from head to toe like she’s something he wants to lick, and I have to fight the urge to fucking headbutt him.
We talk fights for a bit. My opponent for tonight is Mad Dog, and the deep rumble of barking from across the room tells me why.
Not only does he look like a cross between a pug and a bulldog with his bald head and rolls at the base of his skull, but he fucking barks like a dog, too, and the crowd over where he is, joins in.
“A word of warning.” Shiv draws our attention. “Mad Dog is known to play dirty. So be prepared.”
I nod in understanding and tug Lily away, ignoring the look of concern that sweeps over her face.
“What are the chances of you leaving with me now for a night of hot sex instead of this?” Lily asks, and I smirk.
“Why do that when I know it awaits anyway?” I shoot her a shit-eating-grin and she rolls her eyes.
“Maybe I’m taking it off the table if we don’t leave now.”
I shake my head, smirking at her as we reach the side of the room. “I’m not worried. I’ll be edging you all night as you watch me fight in the cage. Your knickers are going to be a wet mess by the time I tear them off later.”
She gapes at me, but then nods. “You’re probably right.”
Christ.
Leaning down, I whisper in her ear. “I’m gonna eat that pretty pussy of yours tonight, Lily. And when I do, I want you to fuck my face until you scream.”
“Shit,” she breathes, leaning into me slightly like my words have hooked her.
Fuck, I love the fact she’s just as affected by me as I am by her.
“Are you wet right now?” I growl against her ear, getting closer than a friend should.
“Yes.” She nods, taking a step back and sucking in a deep breath. “You need to think about whatever it is guys think about to get rid of their hard-ons.”
I chuckle, all too aware that my cock is harder than it was when we came in from the parking lot.
“Seriously, though. Are you sure we can’t leave?” She glances around with that concerned look again, taking in the crowd. “Barrett told me you’ve pissed off some of the gangs. I don’t want you getting wrapped up in that stuff.”
It’s not hard to miss the colours. The different gangs stand out here. But there are also some solo fighters like me.
“It’s just a fight, Lil. I fight and get paid, even if I lose. But the winner takes fifteen grand, and I need that money. I’m not here for the gangs.”
“You may not be here for the gangs…” Lily leans in closer as she speaks. “But given how many eyes are on you, they are here for you, Asher. Shiv wouldn’t have bothered giving you advice if you were just another fighter.”
I know she’s right, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.
“Chill. I’m here to win the cash, and that’s what I need to focus on.”
With her blue eyes back on me, she tilts her head as she studies me.
“Why do you need that money?”
I could lie. Make up some shit about making a life for myself, but I don’t want to lie to Lily. And even though I do want to make a life for myself, I need to fix a few things first.
“I’m paying you back for fixing my bike.
” When Lily opens her mouth to protest, I press my finger to her lips and leave it there, effectively keeping her quiet.
“Don’t argue with me about it. I’m paying you back, and that’s fucking final.
” Her lips slowly spread into a smile behind my finger, so I drop it back to my side.
“I also want to have enough money on hand for when I figure out how to get Monty out of my mum’s life.
She needs to go to rehab. And not one of the useless local facilities.
She needs to go to the best one in the country, which is on the other side of London. ”
Lily’s smile falls. “Does she want to get clean?”
I shrug. “I dunno. I have to believe she does. It’s the best chance I can give her to turn her life around. If that doesn’t work, then at least I know I tried.”
Reaching out, Lily gives my bicep a squeeze. “You’re a good man, Asher Scott. I hope one day your mum sees that.”
“I’m not that good.” I grin. “In fact, I’d argue that I’m pretty fucking bad.”
Lily laughs. “What you are is a dirty fucker.”
Moving quickly, I press my nose to Lily’s and hiss. “And you fucking love it.”
“Well, isn’t this cosy?”
The deep voice next to us has us pulling back quickly, and we both turn to see a tall blond dude who screams military dressed in civilian clothing.
I fucking glare, but Lily’s tense stance in my peripheral has my attention snapping back to her hard glare.
“AJ, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, you know… I was just in the neighbourhood.” He fucking smirks, shooting Lily a knowing look, and I get my fucking back up.