Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
An hour later, we pull up to the warehouse and I kill the engine of the Camaro. Ashlynn’s out first, rounding the hood of the vehicle as I step out and close the door behind me.
Placing my hand at the small of her back, we walk in silence through the entrance of the warehouse, and down the long familiar hallway.
Entering the room Tristan’s been in, Ashlynn tips her head to the side.
Tristan sits still tied to a chair, which at this point is unnecessary.
But I can appreciate Kellen and Levi’s commitment.
It’s been six weeks since he was brought here.
He’s only fed enough to keep him alive, but weak.
He couldn’t get out of here if he tried.
From Kellen’s last report, they tried to get him up to clean him off after he soiled himself and he collapsed immediately.
He’s lost quite a bit of weight, and is covered in bruises and dried blood. He looks up slowly, struggling to lift his head, and his eyes widen when he sees us standing in the room.
“Ash-” he croaks, his voice rough and groggy.
She steps forward, and I move aside letting her pass. Levi and Kellen glance over at me, but my eyes stay locked on her as she stops at Tristan’s feet. He looks up at her, and shakes his head.
“No.”
Moving behind him, she threads her fingers in his hair, tipping his head to the side. Her other hand slides into her hoodie pocket.
A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth as I watch her.
I could stop her, but I don’t.
This was never mine to finish.
Biting off the cap of the syringe, I spit it to the floor as the needle slides into the side of his neck–the same place he chose for me. He doesn’t fight. He can’t.
His head falls forward quickly, the drugs working faster thanks to his weakened state, and I let go of his hair. I tip my head sideways and look at the men across the room.
“Get him in the car.”
Levi and Kellen glance at Karson, who watches me with a lopsided smirk.
“You heard her,” he tells them.
They both move forward and undo Andy’s bindings. Levi grabs his ankles while Kellen hooks his arms under Andy’s shoulders, lifting him from the chair.
They carry him out of the room. Karson and I follow, his hand pressing against the small of my back again. He presses a kiss to the side of my head as we exit the warehouse before he goes to open the trunk.
Dropping into the passenger seat, I watch in the rearview as they drop Andy inside.
Karson speaks to the other two men for a moment, then slams the trunk.
Kellen and Levi head back toward the warehouse as Karson gets into the driver’s seat.
Without a word, he starts the engine, Drag me by Ashes to New blares from the speakers as we pull away from the property.
Resting my elbow against the window, I watch the road ahead of us. Calm washes over me and settles in my chest, and I let out a soft exhale.
Karson glances over at me.
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
I nod, my eyes never leaving the road.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
His tattooed hand rests on top of my thigh, giving it a firm squeeze.
“Alright then.”
Six weeks ago I was left bleeding on the cold pavement. Left for someone to come and force me to live a life that was chosen for me. A life I’d rather die than be a part of.
Tonight I’m the one deciding how this ends.
In the weeks since the federal investigation started, Jack and Melissa have lost everything–money, friends, business partners, their security teams. Jack’s company was forced to shut down completely, and Melissa’s precious foundation is under more scrutiny than any of us anticipated.
But one thing they still have–for now–is their obnoxiously large house.
We pull up to the gates of the estate and Karson grabs his phone from the cup holder. The other line rings once before Slater answers.
“Kill it,” Karson says, his voice low and tight.
A second later, the green light on the keypad box at the abandoned guard shack flickers off, and the gates slowly creak open.
“System is offline,” Slater replies.
Karson hangs up and we move up the driveway slowly.
It’s still dark outside–only about three-thirty in the morning.
The house is shrouded in darkness. Even the moon refuses to shed light on the property, making it feel less like we’re approaching a home and more like we’re pulling up to a haunted house.
We step out of the Camaro and Karson pops the trunk, revealing a still-sleeping Andy. He hauls him out and tosses him over his shoulder.
“Show time,” Karson says, looking down at me. His free hand comes up and strokes the side of my neck. Closing my eyes, I lean into his touch for half a second. The front door opening breaks the moment.
We turn to find Cole standing just inside the threshold. As soon as the system was offline, he and the others got in through the back entrance.
“Get a room. We have shit to do,” he says with a grin before disappearing back inside.
“When this is over, remind me to kick his ass,” Karson says, low enough only I can hear.
Shaking my head, I rise on my toes and press a quick kiss to his lips. He adjusts Andy on his shoulder, and we head up the steps and into the house.
Maverick and Parker lead Jack and Melissa down the stairs into the entryway. Melissa tries to shrug Parker off while Jack moves in silence with Maverick’s gun pressed to the back of his skull. There’s no fear in Jack’s eyes. He’s still looking for a way out.
Not happening.
They reach the landing, and Parker releases Melissa.
“Get your hands off me. Do you know who I am?” she barks, smoothing out her nightgown.
“Hm. An evil bitch?” Parker shrugs, and steps around them. She heads toward me and squeezes my arm when she reaches my side.
“They’re all yours. I’ll be outside,” she says softly.
Melissa’s jaw drops when she finally sees me.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Melissa seethes.
When I don’t answer, her gaze shifts to Karson. “Get out of my house!”
Karson drops Andy carelessly to the floor. He groans and curls into himself.
“Wake up sleepy head,” Karson says, nudging his foot.
“Ashlynn,” Jack booms. “What the fuck is going on?”
A slow smile spreads across my face.
“Family meeting,” I reply, stepping closer. “Just waiting on one more, and then we can get started.”
Behind me, Karson drags Andy closer to us by his ankles. Melissa rushes to his side.
“Tristan,” she breathes and drops to her knees. “What the fuck did you do to him, you monster?”
My teeth grind as she spews insults and empty threats toward Karson.
Squatting down next to Andy, Melissa’s eyes meet mine. Rage simmers behind them.
“The only monsters in this room are you and Jack,” I tell her, my voice cold.
“My brother will–” she starts, but the words fall when Elias now steps into the entryway from the back side of the house with a handcuffed and bloodied David Pierce–her precious brother and Andy’s father.
“Your brother’s not in much of a position to do anything. Are you David?” Elias tells her, pushing David toward us.
“I’m going to sue the fuck out of you people,” David claims. “You’re all making a major mistake.”
I look around the space, unbothered by his threat.
Karson stands at my side, watching Melissa fawn over her nephew, disgusted by the sight.
David stares at Jack, who still has Maverick’s gun pointed at him.
Cole stands at the top of the stairs, his hands braced on the banister. Elias waits at the bottom on the steps.
“Good,” I say. “Now that we’re all here, let’s get started.” My gaze slides to Jack, who lifts his chin. “Where’s my file?”
“What file?”
Maverick hits him with the butt of his weapon. Jack grunts and doubles over in pain.
“Don’t play stupid, Jack. Answer the question.”
“The one you had erased. I know you have one, because you keep records of everything.” I walk toward him, stopping when we’re toe to toe. His head tips up to look me in the eye.
“I want it. And anything you have on my parents. Now, where is it?”
“You ungrateful little bitch,” Melissa hisses. My eyes never leave Jack’s as I wave her off.
“Not now, mother. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Jack’s jaw ticks before he slowly stands up fully, towering over me.
“A safe in my office,” he mutters. “Behind the bookshelf.”
“Code,” Cole barks from the stairs. Jack looks up at him.
“It’s a fingerprint–” he starts. Elias rushes over to him, grabbing him roughly by the back of his neck.
“Move. Now.”
They disappear up the stairs, and my attention turns back to Melissa.
“You should have left me buried,” I say, my voice cold.
Melissa looks at me, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes before it disappears behind anger.
“What are you talking about, Ashlynn? This is ridiculous.”
I lower myself to my haunches, leveling her with a glare.
“Did you think you could have my mother murdered, father institutionalized, keep me in foster care until you were ready for me…use me for your personal gain…” I glance down at Andy, who lays there listening silently. “Arrange for me to marry him…”
A detached laugh slips from my lips, echoing off the walls.
“Then have my father killed, and I’d never find out?”
My head tilts slightly as I watch Melissa’s face drain of color. Her eyes drop slowly to Andy, who stares at me with guilt written all over his face.
Too late.
“David,” I say calmly, lifting my gaze to him. “You’re just as sick as they are. Turning your son into a tool.”
David’s jaw clenches, but he says nothing. I’m not surprised.
I look back at Melissa.
“I’m done being the girl you kept.”
Her breathing quickens.
“Now I’m the woman who ends you.”
“I did everything for you!” Melissa screams, scrambling to her feet and lunging toward me.
Before she reaches me, Karson’s hand wraps around her throat. He squeezes and her fingers claw at his wrist. Her toes leave the floor as he brings her up to look her in the eye.
“You took everything from her.” He squeezes harder, and she gasps for air. “And then you treated her like she was nothing.”
He lets her go, and she crumples to the floor, coughing as the air returns to her lungs.
“Don’t worry. We’re almost done here.” I say as I stand.
Karson turns to me, closing the distance between us in one stride. His hands cup my cheeks.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers.
Warmth spreads in my chest as he presses a soft kiss to my forehead.
“Almost done, doll.”
I let out a slow, steady breath and turn when I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
Cole comes first, carrying three boxes in his arms. He rushes past everyone and out the front door. Elias urges Jack forward to the center of the space where his family sits, then disappears back up the stairs. Cole enters again and follows him, taking the stairs two at a time.
“Ashlynn, sweetheart, listen to me–” Melissa croons. A cold chill runs through me, but I don’t acknowledge her. “Jack, do something,” she mutters.
Jack studies everything happening around them, then looks at Melissa who silently pleads with him.
“You people are finished,” David grits out.
“Shut the fuck up,” Karson tells him, his deep voice causing David’s mouth to snap shut.
“Ash,” Jack says slowly. “You don’t want to do this. Think about the consequences.”
“I already have,” I clip.
Cole and Elias come back down, each carrying three more heavy looking boxes.
“Got everything,” Cole says as they move quickly toward the door.
Footsteps echo from the back hallway.
Nick steps into the entryway, wiping his hands on a rag like he’s just finished a chore, then stuffs it in his back pocket.
“We’re on a clock,” he tells us.
Melissa whirls around to look at him, then back at me.
“What does that mean?”
“It means we’re leaving,” Nick informs her, then he too walks out the front door.
I look back at the people who orchestrated my life, all huddled together on the floor. I should feel something, anything. But I don’t.
“Ash,” Andy says through broken breaths. Ignoring him, I look up at Karson and smile softly.
I don’t care what he has to say. I don’t want answers or explanations. I just want this done.
“Let’s go.”
Stepping onto the front porch, I turn and look back into the entryway. Melissa watches me with confusion etched across her face. Andy’s eyes silently plead with mine. Jack and David finally look resigned, understanding that there’s no way out.
“Can I have a cigarette?” I ask, looking up at Karson.
He doesn’t hesitate, pulling his pack and his zippo out of his pocket then hands them to me.
Stuffing the cancer stick between my lips, I strike the zippo and light it.
Taking a long drag, I breathe in deeply.
Nicotine fills my lungs before I exhale slowly, watching the stream of smoke leave my body.
It tastes like shit, burns like hell, but I instantly feel a weight leave my shoulders.
Taking one more pull, I lift the zippo, watching the flame dance in the breeze.
“Ashlynn–wait–” Andy says from inside, panic laced in his weak voice. Glancing inside, I see him put the pieces together. He looks down at the floor, finally seeing the wet trail Cole left on his way to open the door for us.
The zippo heats between my fingers, the flame glowing for a second in the dark entryway.
Then it disappears inside with a flick of my wrist.
Orange light blooms behind the windows, and Melissa screams as Karson pulls the door closed.
I watch the flames catch the curtains, then turn to walk down the steps towards the Camaro. Our friends watch me, Karson slides his hand into mine and our fingers lace.
He opens the passenger door for me when we reach the car and I lower myself in my seat. Panicked screams spill from the house, but I don’t look back.
The explosion hits a second later.
The ground shudders beneath our feet as glass shatters and marble crumbles. A violent roar rips through the night and a blast of heat rolls across the driveway. Orange light erupts into the sky, swallowing the house whole.
None of us turn around.
Karson closes my door and circles the car. By the time he slides into the driver’s seat, the flames are already climbing higher, devouring everything inside.
Without a word, he starts the engine.
The tires roll silently over the drive as we pull away from the estate.
And we don’t look back.