41. Asher
Asher
“The signed paperwork is on the way,” I told Knight as I turned onto Sutton’s street.
“Good. They’re a good investment; their portfolio was doing well without any capital investment before so I think they’ll gain quick momentum.”
“Never doubted your gut before.”
“Quinn’s making tacos, so I should go.”
“I’m at Sutton’s.”
“Say hi to Soph for me. Noah thinks he’s her favorite but I’m pretty sure it’s me.”
I rolled my eyes, hanging up the phone before parking the car and climbing the stairs. Knocking on Sutton’s door, I waited. There was no noise inside the apartment so after knocking again, I went next door to Iris’s.
She pulled the door open, Sophie in her arms, and before I could smile, I noticed Iris worrying her lip, bouncing Sophie up and down.
“Where is she?” I asked, looking into the apartment behind her, hoping that Sutton would come around the corner or yell at me from the kitchen. None of that happened.
When I looked at Iris, she was staring outside. It was dark out and if Quinn was home making Knight dinner, Sutton should have been home as well.
“She should be home by now.” Iris echoed my own thoughts.
I was already pulling up my phone and dialing.
“She called me while she was at the grocery store but that was over half an hour ago.” The ringing seemed like it went on forever.
Sophie was reaching for me and grumbling, likely picking up on the tension, but I didn’t think I was going to be here long.
“Hi, it’s Sutton, leave a message.” The bright sound of her voicemail had me clamping down. I didn’t bother leaving a message. I pulled up her location.
“Still at the store,” I grumbled as I saw her little icon.
“She needed three things, Asher.” She looked at me, worry all over her face. “She shouldn’t have been gone this long.”
I hit her name again. I didn’t listen to her voicemail and hung up as soon as it picked up.
“Stay with Soph.” I headed back out the door. “I’m going to find her,” I called over my shoulder, running down the stairs, taking them two at a time.
I couldn’t explain it. There was just this feeling in my chest that something was wrong.
Sutton may run late, but that was because she always had to get herself and Sophie ready.
She wouldn’t have gotten distracted or gone somewhere else especially without her phone. And if Iris was worried, then so was I.
As I started my car, I kept her location in front of me then dialed Jaxson.
“Hey—”
I cut him off, not having time for pleasantries. “I need you to head to the grocery store on Tenth and Briar. I’m on my way but you’re closer.” That was why I called him. If I pushed the speed limit, I would be there in fifteen, but he could be there in ten from his place.
I could hear him moving around on the other end of the line then the sound of his keys. “What’s going on?”
“Sutton was supposed to be home a bit ago, and she won’t answer her phone. Location is still at the store,” I ground out as I heard him getting into his car.
“On it. Hang up and don’t do anything stupid. I’ll be there soon.”
The line disconnected and I kept both hands on the wheel, my grip white-knuckled. The light in front of me turned red and I punched the wheel. It felt like the longest light in history. The feeling of something being wrong was gnawing at my stomach, and my chest was tight.
As I turned off the main road, my eyes scanned the parking lot, landing on Jaxson’s car. I expected him to be looking in the store. But his car was in the middle of the parking lot, pulled up behind Sutton’s. His door was open and he was bent down.
My heart dropped into my stomach as I got a view of Sutton on the ground, curled into a ball, another man standing beside her along with someone who looked like an employee of the store. My car was barely in park before I jumped out, closing the distance quickly.
Jaxson was helping her stand off the ground as I reached her. I could see tears on her face, blood on her palms and knees. She had this terrified look on her face, even with Jaxson beside her.
“Who. The. Fuck. Hurt. You,” I growled out. The two strangers took a step back, startled. I only just registered that as soon as Sutton heard my voice, her eyes were on me.
She blinked a few times and opened her mouth to speak but then just started crying, and as soon as I was close enough, she collapsed into my arms.
I cradled her gently against my chest, careful not to hold her tightly because I wasn’t sure what was wrong. She just stood there sobbing with her head tucked against my chest.
I took a shuddering breath. Whatever it was, I could handle it now that she was safe in my arms.
Looking over at Jaxson, I saw he had a serious look on his face. “Witnesses said some guy grabbed her. Dragged her by her hair.” He practically spat it out. I knew he was just as angry as I was.
“It…was…Ben,” Sutton managed through her tears.
Fire raged through my veins as Sutton cried a little harder into me, grasping at my back to try and pull me closer. “It’s okay,” I whispered into her ear, careful to avoid the back of her head. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
She nodded with a shaky breath but didn’t let me go.
“The guy took off when I yelled at him,” one of the strangers told me.
“I’ve called the police,” the other guy added.
“Jaxson.” I looked over to him, needing him to take care of the details so I could focus on Sutton.
“I was fucking tracking him.” He shook his head angrily as he looked at his phone.
“The asshole must have left his cell back in Vancouver,” he told me quietly.
I could see the storm brewing. He was livid someone got past all the security I knew he had in place.
“I’m going to call Maya.” His jaw was tight as he took a step away to call her.
I gently pushed Sutton back from me so I could look her over.
“Can you tell me what hurts?” I asked softly as she hiccupped and took some deep breaths.
“I d-don’t…” she stuttered, looking around like she was expecting Ben to jump out from behind a car. “I just want to go home.”
“We will but we need to get you looked at.” As I said it, sirens filled the air, announcing the arrival of a police car and an ambulance pulling into the parking lot.
Jaxson came back up to Sutton and me. “Maya said to make sure we get her a copy of the police report as soon as we can and to get the names of the witnesses. Oli is calling the Chief of Police to make sure we have what we need.”
The officers walked over as they took in the scene, likely seeing me, a large tattooed man, towering over Sutton and wondering if I was the problem. But as one strolled up to us and the other went to the witnesses, Sutton took a step into me and the policewoman relaxed.
“We were called about an assault.” Her eyes were on Sutton. “Can you tell us what happened?”
“She needs medical attention,” I stepped in before Sutton could reply.
“I just had a panic attack.” Sutton’s voice shook as she spoke.
Looking down at her, seeing the blood on her palm as she wiped a tear from her cheek, I ground my teeth together. “You need to be looked at.”
“The witness that called it in said you were being dragged by your hair.” The officer looked at Sutton. “He’s right, you should be looked at. We can ask you questions after the paramedics give you the all clear.”
I could tell Sutton was going to object so I tucked her into my side and maneuvered her to the ambulance with Jaxson following behind on his phone, likely keeping everyone updated on what was going on.
An hour went by as the paramedics looked over Sutton.
She had some cuts on her hands and knees from the rough ground in the parking lot and her heart rate was elevated, which wasn’t surprising.
They checked her head, which was tender from a bump on her forehead.
They said she likely had a mild concussion but nothing that warranted a trip to the hospital.
Every moment, every comment, every cut was making my anger simmer into a low rage I was trying to tamp down. As Sutton recounted the events to the police for their report, she held my hand and I clenched my other one so hard I was surprised there wasn’t blood on my palm.
“I’m sorry this happened to you.” The officer tucked his notepad back in his pocket and handed his card to Sutton. “Please call me if you need anything. You’re free to go but we will be in touch.”
“You’re going to crack your jaw,” Sutton muttered after the police went to interview the two witnesses, her free hand gently touching my cheek. Her touch might have calmed me except that her voice was shaky.
Jaxson came up to where we were still standing in the back of the ambulance.
“Maya’s gotten in touch with the officers and will be getting a copy of the report.
I’ve also directed them to which cameras they should check.
” His eyes bounced to me, a darkness there.
I knew he’d seen the video. Seen her be attacked.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to see it.
“Thank you,” I muttered as I gently pulled Sutton into my side. I could tell that the adrenaline was running out. She looked about ready to fall asleep on her feet.
“Get her home.” He reached out and gently touched her shoulder before he turned and left.
“Let’s go get our girl,” I told her.
I got Sutton in the car and jacked up the heat to try and slow some of her shaking. Neither of us said anything as we made the drive back to her place. Every time I glanced at her out of my peripheral vision, it was like she was trying to pull herself back together.
She waited as I went around the car and pulled open her door. She didn’t immediately get out, still staring forward. “Sutton?” I reached out, resting my hand on the side of her neck.
“You won’t leave me?” Her voice came out quiet, cracking at the end. I gently forced her gaze to mine.
“Never. I would have to be dead to not be by your side, and even then I might be able to crawl my way out of hell to you.” My own voice was low, my vow ringing between us.