“Haidyn is MIA,” I answer. “How do you want me to proceed?” I’m not going to pretend that I know what I’m doing. But I can’t do shit if I don’t make some kind of contact. So far, just showing up has been enough for the Lords. I report each visit. If I send nothing, then it shows no effort on my end. I’m not getting in trouble because he’s shacked up with some prostitute in the middle of nowhere while I’m being forced to go without.
“What do you mean by MIA?” they ask, the altered voice sounding much more concerned.
“I’m sitting in my car at Carnage, where Saint just informed me that Haidyn has been gone for a week. No contact and no information as to where he’s gone or when he’ll return.”
The Lord is silent on the other end for a few seconds before he speaks. “You have two days to find him.”
“What—?”
“If you don’t have anything to give us in two days, we will have no choice but to believe you’ve failed your assignment.”Click.
“Goddammit,” I shout, tossing my phone onto the passenger seat. Now what the fuck do I do?
SEVENTEEN
HAIDYN
Isit on the couch in my house back in Pennsylvania, staring at my cell phone. I had to shut it off because I’m tired of ignoring all the calls and texts. Ashtyn has been blowing it up along with Kashton, but again, there’s still nothing from Saint.
Charlotte has started calling me too. I didn’t forget that I was supposed to see her today. I just don’t care. I don’t have time for whatever bullshit the Lords are up to with her.
Unless they’re handing her to me to fuck, I’m not interested. And as much as I want nothing more than her naked and tied to my bed, I just don’t have the energy to listen to her ask me about my feelings right now.
Ignoring my phone, I look at the pictures I have spread across my coffee table. They’re of Benny and another guy that I found in the wicker basket back in Vegas. I’ve never seen him before, but that doesn’t say much. We know very little about Benny to begin with, let alone anyone he knew. He obviously worked for the Lords because he worked with Ashtyn’s mother and Laura four years ago. But a lot could happen in that amount of time.
Reaching out, I pick up the glass of vodka and take a sip. My body is fucking killing me this afternoon. Everything hurts. I need movement. Standing, I grab my pack of cigarettes and lighter. Making my way to the sliding glass door, I step outside and onto the wraparound porch.
I light up the cigarette and take a long drag, letting the nicotine fill my lungs. Closing my eyes, I hang my head and like a video playing on repeat, the past month of my life flashes in short clips.
“I’ve always loved you, Ashtyn.”
“Haidyn—”
I open my eyes and take another long inhale from the cigarette, listening to the sound of the wind through the Pennsylvania woods. It wasn’t a lie. I love her, but how could I not? I love my brothers just as much. I’d do anything for any of them.
For four years, I pretended to hate her whenever someone mentioned her name. Because it was easier than telling the truth that I helped her run away from the life she was supposed to have.
I just wanted one night with her. To take her out to a nice dinner and let her see that her life wasn’t over just because Saint dragged her back. I wanted her to know I didn’t rat her out. I kept my promise to keep her safe.
Adam was still pretending to be MIA and her parents dead. I needed to make sure that she knew she could count on me. Just like before.
Running a hand through my hair, I bow my head, hating that Benny ruined my plans for that night.
“Ashtyn?”I shout. “Ashtyn. I’m going to pull you out.”
I grab her arm and yank her through the broken glass of the SUV. “Ash?” She flinches at my tone, and I pull her to a sitting position. Her eyes meet mine, but she’s not seeing me. “What hurts?” I demand. My hands push strands of hair from her bloody face. “Breathe!” She tries to push me away, but I grip her face in my hands. “Fucking breathe, Ash. Come on, baby girl. Take in a deep breath for me.”
She begins to choke and then cough. “That’s it. Deep breaths. One after the other.”
“Hai-dyn.” Her body trembles in my hands.
“Don’t fucking talk, Ash. Just breathe for me.”
Her hands go to her chest, and she yanks on her dress. “Burns…”
“You’re okay. It’s okay.” I run my knuckles down her face, wiping away her tears.
“You’re bleeding,” she whispers.
