Page 57 of Addiction

Practically jumping on me, Nora wraps her arms around my body, squeezing the life out of me. “You did it! I’m so happy and proud of you!” she squeals causing a laugh to rumble from my chest as I hold her tight.

“I couldn’t have done it without Grayson talking me around moments earlier.”

“How do you feel now?” she asks.

“Well, my legs are still shaking. I wasn’t going to say anything but Pop just appeared in my head, and I knew I had to say something about him.”

“Well, it was beautiful. We are all immensely proud of you.”

“She’s right, Asher. You did great,” Grayson chips in. “Told you you would.”

Like I could feel he was watching, I glance over Grayson’s shoulder to find chocolate eyes on me once again. Wade is talking to the new team members of Resilience, Logan and Tia, but our connection never falters. Like there’s no one else in the room, he holds me hostage and I find myself wanting every part of it. Something is changing between us and as much as I fear it, I want it all the same.

What is he doing to me?

“Asher.”

I freeze at the sound of the deep voice behind me. Mark stands in front of me with a grin on his face. I’ve not heard that voice for some time, and I’m unsure if I want to turn around at all.

“I didn’t fly out here just to talk to your back.”

I can’t help the chuckle as I turn around to face the one and only Jackson Cole: the man who kicked off my career when it came to working for Cole’s Security and another person in my life whom I’ve let down deeply.

“Jackson. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“This is why I was delayed,” Mark says.

Jackson’s broad shoulders and stern eyes are a little intimidating. The last time I saw him I had been a different person—an awful version of myself.

“I hadn’t planned on coming.” His curt reply has me more on edge than ever, but that quickly falls when he grins and smacks me on the arm. “I’m kidding. I wouldn’t miss your big moment for anything.”

He grips my hand and brings me in for a bear hug, slapping me on the back.

“You look good, man,” he says. “Really fucking good.”

“Thanks. You too.”

“Twilight has brought me up to speed with everything that’s going on. I’m pleased for you.”

“Thank you. I was worried about seeing you again after everything.”

He frowns. “Why?”

“I told him to take a good look at his legs as you might blow them off.” Mark chuckles.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me,” Jackson says but looks back at me. “Look, shit went down, and I had to fight like hell to keep Cole’s Security’s reputation at the level it’s at. But at the same time, once you fall down that rabbit hole, it takes a lot to get back out. We’ve all been there to some extent. I’m just glad you found your way because you’re a good guy, Asher.”

“Well, I couldn’t have done it without the support I’ve had from my family and this dickhead.” I smile, nodding to Mark.

“Hey, just because Jackson hasn’t blown your legs off yet doesn’t mean that I won’t.”

“Is that a threat?” I joke.

“Call me a dickhead again and you’ll find out.”

Enjoying the banter that has now grown between the three of us, I can’t help but taunt Mark a little more as I mutter, “Dickhead.”

“Right, that’s it.” He squares his shoulders and has a stern look on his face that doesn’t do shit to scare me. “Boxing ring. Now.”