Chapter one
Swim Meets & Videos
Asher
I’ve been a nervous wreck today. I want to tell the girls what I’ve been up to and tell Riley that she has nothing to worry about. I’ll take care of that prick the minute I see him. This morning, after I left my girls in bed sleeping so peacefully, I watched the video of Riley getting herself ready and what she looked like when she came home that night. He put his hands on her time and time again, so I was late for practice today because I went searching for him. I wanted to break every bone in his body and make him scream for mercy. There is nothing I want more than his blood on my hands. But he was gone. No one has seen him.Lucky fuck!
My body glides through the water as I push myself harder to get to the other side. This is my sanctuary. The pool brings me peace and serenity but most of all it calms my racing mind. Racing my teammates during practice is always our pregame ritual. It loosens my muscles and gives me more strength forwhen it's competition time, and tonight we swim against our rivals—St.Vincents University.
Tonight is a big night for me. There’s scouts in the stands who specifically came out to see me do my thing.I really hope my girls show up.It would seriously make my night to have them watch me as well. But every time I look up in the stands, my heart shatters a little more. It’s almost time for the meet to start.What could be holding them up?They had better not be starting the party without me. I cannot think about the nasty things they could be doing to one another while I’m in nothing but a speedo. So I do another lap, taking my time and not pushing myself too hard through the water while I wait for my dick to settle down.
Climbing out of the pool, I towel off and head into the locker room. We get a fifteen-minute breather before the meet starts. Opening my locker, I pull out my phone to see a shit ton of missed calls from Riley. I immediately call her back as I pace the locker room. It just rings out, giving me her voicemail. I call again as my grip tightens around the phone — and the same thing. Nothing.Fuck it, let me call Peyton.I switch over to her, but a text coming through catches my eye.
Opening up the thread, my eyes widen at the sight of my girls lying on the kitchen floor in a puddle of blood. My hands shake and my body trembles with anger and fear.Fuck.I swing open my locker, grabbing my gym bag, checking for my pistol inside and heading out to my car. I’m forty-five minutes away from them.Goddamn it. That’s not enough time.
Getting to my car, I notice my tires are slashed.This was a motherfucking setup.Slamming my fists down on the hood of my car, I try to focus, but I can’t, not when the girls I love are hurt and fucking dying on the kitchen floor.This has Jake’s name written all over it. He got my message alright but he truly underestimated who the fuck I am!
Taking out my phone, I dial the only number I can think of in this moment that is capable of getting to my girls and saving them.
Pulling up his contact, I press the call button.
“Yo, Ash, what’s up?” He says as I hear voices speaking low in the background.
“Spade, I need a favor, and I need it now.”
Chapter two
Headaches & Confessions
Peyton
Gasping awake, I peel my eyes open and try to focus but can’t, everything is so blurry. I close them again then reopen and see Riley passed out on the ground next to me. Her blonde hair covering her face—Blood everywhere.
Sitting up, I slip in the crimson and smash my elbow against the wood floor. Biting my lip to keep in the scream, I steady myself and reach for her.Why isn’t she moving? No, please no.Blinding sharp pain jabs me in the head, causing my vision to blur again as I scoot next to her, rolling her on her back.
“Jesus Christ! What did he do to her?” I say, not knowing where the fuck to start, but seeing the blood gushing from her groin, I take my robe off and hold it against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.I need my medical kit and clothes!
Getting up from the floor, the room spins for a second and I grip onto the counter for support. Once I'm steady, I rush to my room, grab a t-shirt and sweats, throw them on and pick up my bag from the chair in the corner of my room. Running back toRiley, I feel for a pulse and pray there is one.Fuck yes, it’s there but it’s faint. She’s losing too much blood.
Opening the bag, I take out my kit and start stitching her up. Just as I clean the wound and thread the needle, the door swings open and an old man walks in with a few others. Immediately, I reach for my scalpel and raise it up to the men.
“Get the fuck away from us!” I spit as the old man bends down, tilting his head at me.
“Dear, I’m the doc sent by Mr.Rodriquez- Rivers and Mr. Abernathy. What injuries have you sustained?” he asks and I shake my head.
“None, I don’t think. She needs more help than me! She’s been stabbed numerous times. Her pulse is faint but her heart is still beating!” I growl and he nods.
“Yes, alright. You go with Gregory while me and Andrew get her out of here. I’ve been given orders to get you both to safety.” He assures me but I shake my head.
“She’s lost so much blood. This wound.” I point, showing him. “We need to stitch it up before we move her. The other wounds are bad but not life threatening like this one.” I tell him and he nods, placing his bag down, unzipping it and pulling out gloves.
“Alright, I will assist you. Let’s do this rather quickly.” He says and I get to work.
Hours later I sit at his office in the room as he works on her. Asher busts through the doors and immediately comes for me. Istand meeting him halfway as he grabs me into a hug, squeezing me tightly while shoving his face into my neck.
“Are you alright baby? I thought I lost the both of you!” He sobs. It’s very rare that Asher shows emotions like this. So it melts my heart knowing how deeply he cares for me–for us.
“I’m okay. My head is pounding but I’ll live.” I joke which causes him to growl.
