When a Lynx Meets a Leopard [Ash Lynx x fem reader]

Chapter 40: I'm very proud of you

Song: Its OK
By: Tom Rosenthal 

(Y/n) POV

Ash took a seat at the table, opposite me. I smiled softly at him, trying to let him know that I was okay. In reply, he nodded slightly. Arthur broke the silence by saying, "More like a sphinx than a lynx.". Everybody simply ignored him.

A waiter walked around, pouring wine into everyone's glass. I never had a taste for wine, especially not now. Just the sight of the deep red liquid made my stomach churn. 

"I chose it especially for you, Ash. Can you tell what it is?" Dino asked as the waiter poured the wine into Ash's glass, leaning forwards in his chair.  Ash picked up the glass and swirled the liquid around, taking a sniff before bringing it to his lips and tasting it. "Romagna-Conti. I believe it's a '69." He concluded, replacing the glass on the table. "Bravo. I see you still remember what I taught you." Dino smirked, taking a sip of his own wine. "This will be a wonderful night. (Y/n), why don't you try it?"

I looked up at the old man's words, glancing between Dino and the wine in front of me. "I apologise, but I have no such taste in wine."
"Such a shame..." Dino sighed, pretending to be disappointed. "Anyways, Ash do you like the present I got you?" He grinned, gesturing towards the jade stud in Ash's ear.  "You punched a hole in my ear. Do you think I'm happy?" The boy replied, looking sideways at the stone. "That jade was found especially for you to match the colour of your eyes. I'd say it's about 400,000 dollars." Dino smirked as I let out a low whistle. Ibe and Max looked equally as shocked. "No wonder it's heavy."

After a few moments of silence passed, the first course was served. Some fancy shit that made me gag quite visibly. I was starting to feel considerably ill, not to mention the slight cramping in my stomach. No body seemed to notice, apart from Ash who shot me a concerned look from across the table.

"Ash used to be a precious piece of merchandise of a certain club I run." Dino started proudly, looking straight at Ash. "The merchandise is divided into detailed ranks. People loved those with platinum blonde hair and light green eyes. Just like precious gems, the rarer the more expensive. He was my most expensive piece of merchandise." 

I hated the way Dino referred to Ash as 'merchandise', like he wasn't alive and didn't feel. It pissed me off to say the least. 

"Why isn't Shorter here?" Ash asked Dino, changing the subject. "He hasn't been invited. Don't worry, you'll see them later." He replied, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin. "Worried about him, eh?"  Arthur butted in, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "I'd worry about yourself if I were you."
"As with you." 
"What did you say?"

"Drop it." At the old man Dino's words, everyone shut up. "Ash, I gave you books and a good education. I taught you many things." 'Where is he going with this?' "I also gave you a gun and taught you how to shoot. I never would've imagined you'd point that gun at me." Now, both Ash and Dino had smirks on their faces. "You are the most beautiful, most dangerous beast there is."

As soon as Dino finished talking, a group of men burst in carrying hand guns. Each one aimed at one person sat at the table, apart from Dino. "Now the, dinner is over. Let us now take you to the show venue."

After that, I was taken to a different place to Ash, Ibe and Max. Not for long though. About ten minuets later, I was brought to the same place as everyone else. Ash had a chain on each wrist, holding him upright but still on the floor. Ibe and Max were also chained up, but to a post with their hands behind their backs.

"(Y/n)!" Ash called. I looked up at him, the pain in my stomach slowly growing. As soon as Shorter saw me, he started to back away and yell in fear, holding his head in his hands. "Ash, let me show you something fun." Arthur grinned, grabbing the front of that halter neck dress I was still wearing. He pulled me over to Shorter, shoving my face into his. "Shorter, remember her?"
"Stay away!" The terrified man screamed, screwing his eyes shut and backing away. I was them pulled backwards by my hair. "Yeah, that's right. She's your enemy." Arthur snarled into my ear, his breath making my skin crawl. "Kill her!" He demanded, tossing Shorter a knife, getting up and passing me one too. Instinctively, I seized the blade and backed away.

"Fuck." I groaned, rolling to the side as Shorter lunged at him with the knife. He didn't hit me. That repeated, me rolling to the side and avoiding Shorter's attacks driven by fear. "Arthur, if you want to kill me, kill me!" Ash yelled, watching what was happening.

I was now on my feet, one hand over my stomach as blood dripped down my leg. 'Wait, blood? On my leg? But I haven't been cut...' I didn't have time to think as I was lunged at again. My back was up against a wall, literally. Shorter's blade barely missed me as I dodged again, ducking and rolling to the side before standing up again. It was getting progressively harder to move as the pain in my stomach only grew. The attacks didn't stop coming though, and I intended to live. 

With another lunge of the knife, I leapt backwards but missed my footing and fell. Bloody hell, that hurt. Shorter was a few meters away, breathing heavily and sweating. He stepped towards me, gripping the blade in his hand tightly. It was Ash's voice that caught him off guard. "Shorter!" Ash yelled, making the traumatized guy turn around. Surprisingly, Shorter walked over to Ash.

"Ash... I- I cant anymore.... set me free." He pleaded, dragging his nails across his chest. "I'm in so much pain..." Before he could say anything more, Arthur roughly yanked me upwards and to my feet. "Shorter! Your enemy is right here. Come one." He yelled, letting me go just in time for me to dodge. 

All it took was for one sudden burst of pain to make me buckle. Shorter was on me in seconds, a hand around my throat while the other raised his knife. I was crying from both pain and seeing someone who I had become close friends with in such a state. Everything after that happened so quickly. Arthur pulled a lever, slackening Ash's chains. Without thinking, Ash picked up a pistol Arthur had placed on the floor in front of him, aimed it at Shorter's back and fired a single shot.

Like always, the shot hit it's mark.

A bloody hole formed where Shorter's heart is.

A few last tears slipped from his eyes and he fell onto me.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry! You did s-so well. I-I'm v-very proud of you." I cried, wrapping my arms around his body and holding him close, weeping into his shoulder.

~~~
Ha...
Ngl, I cried so hard when Shorter died and having to re-watch this scene to write it, hurt like hell. 😭
Anyway,
Have a good day/night,
~Author-Chan💔

~It's okay,

I know someday,

I'm gonna be with you~

😭💔