Caught In Between

XXI. The Past

"No." Asher's words are sharp.

"Yes. I can get him to help us, I know I can. He's also a genius with computers, he'll be able to find the security footage and know that we didn't change anything." My voice is begging Asher to listen to me and understand that Cam can actually help us.

"Are you fucking stupid?" Smith interjects. "You can't actually be considering talking to that kid about this. He's in the bloodhounds, he's gonna turn you in for a traitor, and he'll tell your father about Asher's relationship with you, and then he'll also be fucking dead."

"Cam wouldn't do that. If he knows the truth like I do, then he'll listen. He doesn't want a war going on either! If he finds the security footage and knows that Asher is innocent, he can help me. He can help us!" I'm pleading with all of them. I look over at Asher and he looks to be actually considering my proposal.

"Why the hell did you even bring her in here, Asher? She's gonna get us all killed." Smith's voice is filled with pure hatred, and Asher definitely notices that.

"Smith, shut the fuck up! I'm the Cobra here, not you. I make the decisions, and I know she's trustworthy. She doesn't have anything to do with her father's gang, and she won't have anything to do with our gang either. All she wants is to stop this goddamn war. She has a point here, and what's the worst thing that can happen? I get killed sooner rather than later?" He scoffs. "Nothing will happen to you all with this plan. We all know gang traditions here." I don't know what gang traditions he's talking about, but everyone else in the room grimly nods. Smith doesn't look angry anymore, he looks hopeless now. What gang traditions? It's not the right time to speak up and ask about this, so I decide I'll ask Asher about it later.

"We're not gonna let you die." Declan speaks up. I can tell that Asher really is respected by his inner gang, and they'll fight to the death for him and the rest of the gang.

"Yeah, if you go down, we all go down." Dax adds. There's a chorus of agreement, and it's really touching to see how much this group of guys cares for each other. They're all here for each other. I can't even imagine what they've gone through together.

"How do you plan on talking to Cam?" Asher changes the subject back to Cam's involvement and turns to look at me.

"I'll text him and tell him to meet up with me. Then I'll tell him that you're innocent. I'll tell him about the security tapes and I'll let him look them up himself. I know he'll believe me. He has to." I try my best to sound convincing, and it's pretty difficult with five young men all around me that have the capability to kill me at any given second.

"Okay," Asher slowly nods his head and looks around at his inner gang. "Okay. This might be our only shot at ending the war. I want all of us to be on the same page, though. Do we all agree with this decision? If any of you have any doubts, speak the fuck up now. This is a serious decision and it's really risky." Everyone nods and agrees, except one person. "Smith?" Asher looks over at Smith, the only one who hasn't muttered a word. Smith looks between Asher and me a couple of times before finally answering.

"Fuck it, let's do it."

******

I sent Cam a text asking if I could come over to his place to talk about something. He replied with a 'yes' and I left the warehouse with Asher. Since the warehouse was on the outskirts of town, he drove me as close as he could to Cam's house without being too close for anyone to see us.

I'm about to get out of the car, when Asher gently grips the back of my neck and pulls me to face him. He brings my face towards his and rests one hand at the base of my neck and the other on my cheek as he crashes his lips onto mine. I bring my hands around his neck and passionately kiss him back. Before anything can escalate, he pulls back. I'm panting, while he's much more composed.