Chapter 23 #2
What’s worse, his words hit me square in the heart. It’s the part about my seeking attention that hits home.
“If that’s all—”
I get up and am about to leave when Alex drives the final blow. “The Pact handles the fentanyl that killed your mother!”
I freeze, my lids drooping. The pain his words cause is excruciating. My breathing deepens as I long to disappear.
“I’m sorry,” I hear him whisper. “I have to tell you this, Princess. I can’t hide it from you.”
One more breath before I start. “I appreciate you telling me this. I’m not saying you’re wrong and that they’re responsible for the ugliest side of this city, this country.
” I turn back to him and give him a sharp look.
“Except no one is responsible for her doing that to herself. To herself and to us. No one forced her to fuck up our lives by shooting that shit into her veins.”
Alex’s calls reach me as I leave, but I keep going. I believe with all my heart in what I said, and yet I can’t help feeling as if I’ve been punched in the gut.
Angry and in a daze, I leave the pub and head for my car. My hands are shaking, my head is down. I don’t want anyone to see me like this.
I’m almost at the car when I feel someone grab me from behind by the neck. A second later, pain shoots through my back as I’m thrown against the building wall. I blink rapidly to bring my vision back into focus.
A male figure, taller than me and built like a damn Transformer, stands in front of me. He’s wearing a black mask on his face, a hood over his head.
Before I can say a word, he swings and hits me in the face with his gun. His strength knocks me to my knees, and I taste the metallic tang of blood. Red saliva spills onto the smelly pavement, as if I had to see it with my own eyes before I could believe it.
That’s all I need.
From my position, I swing my leg with all my force, kicking my opponent and sweeping his legs out from under him. The impact of his body hitting the ground isn’t very effective, because in the blink of an eye he throws himself at me, rolls me onto my back, and punches twice across my face.
I try to throw him off me but he’s too heavy, the bastard. I reach for my pants, where my knife is hidden.
Just a little more, just a little more...
When his hands fall on my neck and effectively squeeze, cutting off my air supply, I think this might be it. This one moment when neither my speed nor my abilities are enough.
I’m begging for a breath of air, but his fingers are like iron. My head throbs with pain, I’m suffocating.
In my mind’s eye, I see Zoe’s face...
No!
“I have a message for you. You’ll die because of him.”
My head is spinning. I don’t know this man’s voice. I’m sure of that.
Because of him? Because of whom? My father? Ryker? Alex?
My consciousness begins to slip away, but I finally succeed in finding the blade with my fingers. I grab it and pull it out inch by inch.
Just a little more! Don’t give up now!
Finally, I grab it firmly enough to get a good grip. I’m going to stab him right in the neck and kill the son of a bitch, but at the last moment, he sees what’s happening out of the corner of his eye. He lets go of my neck and blocks my movement, so I choose the next best place.
Once... Twice... Three times I sink the steel into his side. The roar of pain is like music to my ears. And that’s enough for him to roll off me, falling to the side.
I gasp for air, grateful for every breath.
Jesus Christ.
This isn’t the end, I realize.
Rolling over, I lift myself up on my hands and knees. Breathing is like a precious gift. I’m about to attack again when I note my attacker is already a few steps ahead of me. Clutching the side where I wounded him, he staggers away, leaving a trail of blood.
Frightened, I look around, fighting panic. My lungs burn mercilessly. And my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Slowly, I gather myself and get up in this nasty alley. My car is a few steps away. Step by step, I drag myself toward it.
Unlocking the door, get inside, and lock it behind me. Only then do I let out a sigh of relief. My throbbing head drops back onto the headrest.
I hear a slight buzzing in my ears, and my hands are shaking.
At what point did I transform into someone easily targeted?
My phone buzzes again.
“Fuck.” I take it out of my pocket. An unknown number appears on the display.
I consider rejecting the call but ultimately decide against it.
“Hello?” My voice is hoarse.
With every passing second, the headache grows.
My eyes flutter shut. I can hear someone breathing on the other end, and then a woman’s voice says, “Hi. Is this Ashley?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“We don’t know each other, but I’m calling to warn you about Ryker Elliot.”
“Not this again.” This is too much. The woman’s words make me laugh out loud. What is it this time? A jealous ex-lover? A part-time killer?
And why am I laughing? Is it from the blow? Have I completely lost my mind?
I compose myself and carry on. “What do you want?”
“I told you. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. If you value your life, run away from him as far as you can.”
“Listen. This is the second time today I’ve heard something like this. I’ve had enough. Who the hell are you?” With every passing moment, I’m losing patience.
My thumb rubs my split lip. Fortunately, the bleeding has stopped.
“My name is Aisling. Aisling Elliot.”
I wouldn’t have expected that in a million years. My eyes widen. “Oh, my God. Aisling? Your brother is freaking out about you. Where are you?”
“No!” she shouts. “You can’t tell him I called. He can’t find me. You don’t understand. He’s not a good man; run away from him. It’s all his fault!”
“How did you even get my number? And how do I know it’s really you?”
“It doesn’t matter right now. I just wanted to save you from the nightmare that is my brother. You don’t have to believe me.”
She’s right—I don’t have to believe her. I may not know Ryker very well, but at least I know him. I’m not going to believe the words of some crazy girl calling from a private number because she told me to.
I just want to go home, bury myself in my bed, and forget that this whole day ever happened.
“Thanks a lot for the warning. I’ll definitely keep it in mind. Take care.”
“Ashley. He’s lying to you. He’s not telling you the truth. He’s not who he says he is—”
“I’m having a really rough day, you know? Sorry, but I won’t listen to some crazy chick spouting nonsense.”
“You don’t believe me? You’ll see for yourself. I wonder if he’ll tell you he talked to your father when he gets the chance.” With that, the call ends.
Ryker talked to my father? Is that possibly true? Or is someone just trying to mess with my head?
There’s more than one person in this world who would love to drive a wedge between us.
What if it’s true? What does that mean?
This day is officially defeating me.
Half an hour later, I finally stand in front of the door to the apartment where Zoe and I live. I hear raised voices coming from inside, and then I realize that this day isn’t over yet.
I turn the lock and go inside. Nothing prepares me for what I see.
“You have no fucking idea what you’ve done!” Eli glares at my sister. They stand facing each other like two rivals who hate each other with burning passion.
Zoe’s hands are on her hips. She’s trying to look like a worthy opponent.
For yelling at my sister, I’m tempted to shoot his head off. How dare he?
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a movement in the room and immediately direct my gaze there.
Ryker takes a small step in my direction but stops when he sees me. I’m not surprised. I don’t look my best; quite the opposite. I must look like a train has run me over.
A thought crosses my mind. How much of the concern I see in his eyes is real and how much is fake?