Ride Or Die | Book #1 ✓

Chapter 28

"I don't know.." I ran a hand through my hair as I paced back and forth in the kitchen "All I know is that Tucker showed up to school after he's been gone. He said he met a Coinston at some bar who was super drunk, the guy kept going off about how they were after the next Ambrosia."

"Great.." Aster rubbed his face in his hands and I could tell he was panicked "We have to move you with dad immediately."

"What? No!" I exclaimed, I couldn't believe Aster was willing to send me off so easily. I had decided to tell Aster about my run-in with Tucker, after hours of trying to push it off to the side but not being able to. What if what he was saying wasn't just some bluff or lie? What if the Coinston's were truly after me? It did make sense, they have been before...the mall, school, and the race. I just thought it was Knox's pettiness for the reason of going after me but I was soon coming to the realization that it was a bigger picture than just Knox.

I looked back at Pierce whose face had fallen as he stared ahead at Aster. Pierce had come to pick me up for the club but came inside when I told him I had to tell Aster about Tucker. "You can't do that." Pierce shook his head "If you separate her, they will find her and it'll be easier to get to her if we aren't around her. Your dad will not protect her."

"She's an easier target if she's in New York. They've made it very apparent that they have ways of contacting her." Aster said sternly and I looked over to Evangeline with a pleading look. I hoped she would say something in order to help me stay, as she was usually the one to be able to change Aster's mind. "I'm sorry Aspen.." She trailed off "But I agree with Aster on this one. It'd be harder for them to find you if you were out of the state."

Sighing I looked back at Pierce who stood behind me, silent as ever. "Pierce.." My lips pursed as I stared at him, wanting him to back me up. I didn't want to leave New York, I had finally made friends and felt comfortable. I was sick and tired of starting over again, it's all I've ever done since my mom died and I just wanted to settle. New York felt like home, a home I've been longing for, for months.

"I'll take care of her." Pierce spoke up "I've been trying to protect her since she got here, and I'm not going to stop now. You can not just send her away Aster, she needs all of us. Aspen won't stand a chance if she's by herself. I promise I won't let her get hurt."

Pierce's words were sincere, I could tell by the look in his eyes. Pierce was forced to watch over me from the beginning but I knew he meant it now more than ever. He didn't just see it as some job to do that was assigned by Xander and Archer. Aster stared back at Pierce, a moment of silence filling the air. Aster let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them.

"Alright.." Aster gave in "But this is going to have to be a team thing. We all need to watch over Aspen for her safety's sake. I will alert Xander and Archer to tell them what's going on. I'm trusting you Gunner, and if anything happens to my little sister- you'll be the first one I come after."

With that said, I quickly bid for my house and headed out of the house. My rushing was followed by Pierce and I knew that if I didn't leave immediately that Aster would change his mind. I buckled up and Pierce took off down the road in order to meet everybody at the club.

"You know you're in danger right?" Pierce glanced over to me, making me cock an eyebrow in response. "Aspen if you're most wanted by one gang, you're wanted by all their allies too. You need to watch out, for everyone. You have no idea how bad this could get."

"I-I'm sure it'll be fine." Swallowing a lump in my throat, the nervousness was starting to hit me. I knew this could be bad, I had no idea what was to come. I prayed that Xander and Archer would come up with some plan. I felt safe whenever I was with Pierce, there was something about him that made me feel like nobody could even touch me. I reached for the radio as a new song came on, turning the volume knob up.