Chapter 10
10
ASH
B rady had been a couple of hours from my home, so by the time I made it back to the bar, it was so late that dawn would be quickly approaching.
The neon sign above the front door cast a dull glow against the sidewalk. The streets were empty, but the promise of the morning rush was fast on the heels of that quietness. I parked the truck in the alley beside the bar, entered through the side door, and climbed the stairs to the apartment to see Evie.
I barely had time to knock before the door opened.
Evie was awake… because she’d been waiting for me.
Her eyes searched mine, looking for answers I didn’t want to burden her mind with. But she didn’t ask me anything yet. She held the door open wide, leaving space for me to enter.
When she closed the door behind me, I faced her, noticing her shoulders dropped as she took me in. Her hands fidgeted at her sides, like she was debating whether to reach for me.
Instead, she just whispered, “You went to see him, didn’t you? Brady?”
I nodded once. “He won’t be bothering you again.”
Her breath caught. Then, slowly, she let it out, relief flickering across her face before panic settled around her. “You didn’t?—”
“No, I didn't kill him. But if he comes after you, I will.”
She said nothing. She just stood there, looking stronger than when she’d first come to me. And I understood at that moment, she knew she had this—herself, her life… everything—under control.
And although I knew deep in my bones what this was between us, for the first time, I acknowledged to myself that she wasn’t just someone who I was protecting.
She was my future, and I’d do anything to make sure she knew that.
I reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She just barely leaned into the touch, and yet I felt my heart race and my stomach tighten.
“Thank you, Ash. Thank you for… saving my life.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No, baby. You’ve saved my life.”