Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Ashlyn
It feels like forever since I pressed the panic button, and I have no idea if anyone even knows. My classroom is at the back of the school, far from the main entrance, and I can’t hear any sirens. Maybe no one is coming.
We’ve never had to use the panic alarm before, thank God, but as the minutes stretch on, I start to wonder if it even works.
If no one’s coming, I have to find a way out myself.
I sit in silence, watching Eddie lay out the food he brought. He arranges everything meticulously like this is just a normal day. My stomach churns at the sight of it. For all I know, he could have poisoned it.
“Eddie,” I say cautiously.
He looks up, his hands pausing mid-motion.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady as I rise from behind my desk. “I’ll be right back.”
His expression darkens as he straightens to his full height, stepping in front of me.
“I don’t think so,” he snaps. “Sit.”
I flinch at his tone but don’t back down. “Eddie, please. I really need to go.”
He exhales sharply like I’m inconveniencing him. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”
Before I can react, his fingers clamp around my arm, digging in hard enough to make me wince. He yanks me toward the door, dragging me into the hallway. He moves fast, and I stumble, barely managing to stay on my feet.
The nearest bathroom is just down the hall. He shoves the door open and throws me inside. I hit the cold, tiled floor hard, pain shooting through my wrist as tears sting my eyes.
“Go on then,” he says, smirking as he gestures to the stalls. “I thought you had to pee?”
I push myself up, biting back a cry as pain flares through my wrist.
“I think you broke my wrist,” I say, tears slipping down my face.
Eddie laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “I didn’t break your wrist, Ashlyn. You did that. I love you, remember?”
Pain and fear twist into something sharper. Anger.
Before I can second-guess myself, I lunge at him, pounding my good hand against his chest. The attack catches him off guard, and he stumbles back.
I don’t hesitate. I spin and sprint for the hallway, my heart hammering. The main entrance isn’t far. I just have to make it outside.
I don’t get the chance.
A sharp yank on my hair jerks me backward, ripping a scream from my throat. Pain explodes across my scalp as Eddie drags me, my feet barely touching the ground. Tears blur my vision as he hauls me back into the classroom and slams the door shut behind us.
“Why are you trying to get away from me, Ashlyn?” Eddie asks, his voice eerily calm. “I’m better than Ben Murphy, you know. I won’t make you sad like he does.”
I freeze.
“No, you just break my damn arm!” I snap.
His hand slams down on a desk with a loud crack, making me jump.
“I. Did. Not. Break. Your. Arm,” he growls, his fists balling as he presses them against his forehead again.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” I say quickly, forcing my anger down. I can’t set him off again.
Just like that, he relaxes. The sudden shift makes my stomach turn; he’s completely disturbed. I always thought he was just a shy recluse. How wrong I was.
“I saw him kissing you,” Eddie says, his voice almost wistful. “A few weeks ago. Right here in this very room.” He shakes his head. “What do you see in him, Ashlyn? Why him and not me?”
Maybe because you’re a psychotic lunatic, I think, but I know better than to say it out loud.
“I don’t… I don’t know you, Eddie,” I say carefully.
“Well, duh,” he scoffs, laughing like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “That’s why we’re having dinner.”
He gestures to the table, his expression expectant.
“Sit. I’m starving.”
Ben
My heart pounds as I silently follow Nash and the two officers into the school. Once we’re inside, I hand Nash my access pass so he can unlock the security door, then motion for him to head straight down the hallway and take a left. He nods, signaling for us to follow.
As we approach Ash’s classroom, muffled voices drift toward us. Nash glances over his shoulder and lifts a hand, silently ordering me to stay put. Every instinct screams at me to ignore him, but I force myself to comply. I need Ash out of here safely. I have to trust that he knows what he’s doing.
Nash and the officers stop outside the door, weapons drawn. He peers through the small window at the top, his jaw tightening. For a second, his gaze meets mine, and then he gives the signal.
One of the officers throws the door open and Nash moves in fast.
“What the fuck?” Eddie shouts.
A scuffle breaks out with chairs scraping against the floor, and then–
“Drop the knife!” Nash yells.
My blood runs cold. A knife. Eddie has a knife.
I inch forward, pressing myself against the wall beside the door. Peering around the frame, my breath catches in my throat.
Eddie has Ash. His arm is locked around her, the blade pressed to her neck.
“Drop it,” Nash commands, his voice steady but firm. “This won’t end well for you, Eddie. Let her go.”
Ash sobs, and my chest tightens. There’s blood on her face, and she’s holding her arm awkwardly. I feel useless standing here while that bastard holds her hostage. I want her safe and in my arms.
“Don’t come any closer!” Eddie screams, his grip tightening on Ash. “I swear to God, I’ll do it! I’ll slit her throat!”
“Okay, okay,” Nash says, trying to diffuse the situation. “No one is coming any closer.”
He signals for the two officers to lower their weapons. Nash keeps his gun trained on Eddie while the others step back slightly. It’s a delicate situation, and as much as I want Ash out of his grasp, the last thing I want is for her to get hurt any more than she already has.
“Look, we’ve backed off,” Nash says, his voice calm and measured. “Now lower the knife and let Ashlyn go. You’re hurting her, Eddie, and I don’t think that’s what you wanted, right?”
“I love her!” Eddie cries, his grip tightening. “Why would I hurt her? If she’d just agreed to have dinner with me, none of this would be happening!”
“Just let her go, Eddie. It’s over,” Nash urges.
“It’s over when I say it’s over,” Eddie snaps, his voice low and unsteady. “I can make her happy. Happier than that asshole she’s dating. I just need her to see that.”
“And you think this is the way?” Nash counters. “Look at her, Eddie. She’s terrified.”
I steal a glance at Ash. Her face is pale and streaked with tears. My chest physically hurts as I look at her. She’s petrified. This has to end now, but if I move, I’ll only make things worse.
“She’s not scared of me,” Eddie insists. His fingers flex around the knife handle. “Are you, Ashlyn?”
He presses the tip of the blade into her skin. She whimpers as it cuts, a thin line of blood trickling down her neck.
Then a gunshot shatters the air, followed by a scream.
My stomach turns as I watch Ash and Eddie collapse to the ground.
I don’t wait for Nash’s signal. I rush inside.
By the time I reach Ash, Nash has yanked Eddie off her. She’s lying on the floor with blood smeared along her neck and a gash on her forehead. But she’s awake, and relief crashes over me.
“Ben,” she whispers, her voice trembling. Her fingers reach for me, and I pull her into my arms.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s over,” I murmur, holding her close. “You’re safe.”
I sink to the floor with her cradled against my chest. She clings to my shirt, her whole body shaking. I tighten my arms around her, trying to make her feel safe and secure.
“Scene’s clear. Get the EMTs in here now,” Nash barks into his radio. Then he gestures toward Eddie. “Watch him.”
He kneels in front of Ash, his expression tight with concern. “Ash, are you okay?”
He reaches for her hand, but the second he touches her wrist, she cries out.
“Ash, what is it?” he asks, his eyes widening.
“I think my wrist is broken,” she chokes out, fresh tears spilling. “He… he pushed me in the bathroom. I fell awkwardly.”
“Bastard,” I mutter, fury burning through me. She must have been so scared. We should have gotten to her sooner.
“Where are the EMTs?” Nash snaps into his radio.
“They’re being escorted inside,” a voice replies.
Ash clutches my shirt with her good hand. “I just want to go home, Ben,” she mumbles.
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “I know, baby. But we need to get you checked out at the hospital first, okay?”
She hesitates. “Will you… come with me?”
Her voice is uncertain, and it guts me to know I’ve made her feel this way.
“Of course I will,” I say. “I’m not leaving your side, Ash. I promise.”
Relief softens her features. “Thank you,” she whispers, then glances toward Eddie. “Is he… is he dead, Nash?”
Nash shakes his head. “No. I only clipped his shoulder. He’ll live.”
When the EMTs arrive, I step back to give them space, but Ash’s eyes stay locked on mine as if she’s afraid I’ll disappear. I get it. After everything I’ve put her through the past two weeks, she has every reason to doubt me.
But she doesn’t have to.
I’m not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever. My head is finally on straight, and I’ll never push her away again.