The Lies I Believed

Panic

Aaron flew down the hall towards his office. He'd just gotten news of someone tagging along with Asher. He was trying to persuade himself that it was going to be okay, but he knew that was a lie. It's one thing to mess with Asher, and another to get someone else involved. His plan was spiraling out of control.

"Where's he now?" he asked.

"Just a few hours away. He'll be here in no time."

"Of all people to poke their nose in someone else's mess." Aaron began packing up what he could. "Don't take anything out unless we absolutely need it. He's been known to demolish anyone in his path."

"Yes, sir. I'll make sure everyone knows."

"Where's Don Ruiz?"

"He went to New York. Mr. D'Aquilla had a job for him."

"I'm sick of that pretentious freak. He always has to stick his hands into my plans. Anything else I need to know?"

"No, sir. We have your flight set for Saturday evening. Mr. Black said he will allow an early Sunday morning flight."

"...Whatever. Get Asher on the phone. I'll be with Lexi."

"Yes, sir. On it."

Aaron took a deep breath and looked around his office. He shouldn't be running. It's not like they'd already figured out who he was. If he panicked too hard now, he'd leave room for mistakes. He couldn't afford making any mistakes. Since the most powerful man in the world was on his side, he couldn't afford to lose that trust.

He left his office and took his time getting to Lexi. When he entered her room, she was curled up in a corner. It was satisfying to see her laying there. Aaron knew she was breaking and it wouldn't be long before he could turn her against Asher. There was a lot she didn't know about her husband. Aaron wanted to be sure there was no reason she could trust him anymore.

"Hello, Lexi," he said. She looked up at him. "Oof, you look a bit...wired."

"I wonder why," she muttered.

"Don't start. The last thing you want is to get hit again."

"Or maybe I do."

"How was the food? Oh, wait! You didn't get any. Are you hungry?"

"No." Lexi rolled her eyes. She wasn't, but if he kept talking about food, she would be. "What do you want?"

"Ah, nothing. I just thought--"

"Sir, Mr. Monteil is on the phone."

Lexi's eyes widened. Aaron smiled at the shocked look on her face. He had her where he wanted her. Now all he had to do was force Asher to hurry up. The end of the week was approaching fairly quickly.

"Oh, hello, Asher." Aaron chuckled, sending waves of fear down Lexi's spine. "I thought it was time we spoke in real time. How did you like the videos I sent you? Must have had you on your toes, thinking I killed your wife, huh?"

"Why would I think you killed my wife?" Asher growled.

"You didn't? You didn't think I made her pre-record the last video before that?"

"I've been in this game for far too long. I know how things work. You're the least of my concern right now. Honestly, you can keep my wife, if you want."

"What is wrong with you?"

It was Asher's turn to laugh. He wanted to play his cards right. If Lexi found out he suggested Aaron keep her, she'd kill him once they were reunited. He wasn't willing to have her hold that over his head for the rest of his life.

"I'm the scariest the mafia gets in the United States without overdoing it."

"And?" Aaron laughed.

"Put her on the phone."

"And why should I?"

"...You don't want to question me. Just do it."

"What? Are you looking for more time to track me down?"

"Trust me when I say I don't have to try hard to track you down. You calling me has given me more than enough time to find out where you might be."

"Mhm, whatever. Lexi, your knight in shining armor wants to give you false hope."

Asher's heart caught in his throat. He prayed she hadn't heard what he'd said. He didn't want Aaron to keep his wife.

"A-Asher?" Lexi stuttered. "Are you there?"

"Yes, baby, I'm here. Are you okay?" Asher asked.

"Yes. I'm doing better than most people would be."

"That's good. I'm on my way right now. Don't let him tell you I'm not coming for you. I'm getting closer to finding out where you are."

"...Thank you."

"Now I want you to say yes or no to these next questions. You got it?"

"Yes."

"Are there others with him?"

"Yes."

"Have they hurt you, too?"

"Yes."

"Does the man who kidnapped you have dreads and a tattoo sleeve up his left arm?"

Lexi looked at Aaron. He had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His tattoos were visible and she thought it looked great. If she wasn't so mad at him, she would have given him a compliment. Just as Lexi looked away, he looked her way and narrowed his eyes.

"Yes," she said. "And the dog's out."

"No!" Asher wished he could jump through the phone and rescue his wife. "Lexi, you keep being strong for me, I'm coming for you, okay? He's not going to get away with this."

"Save me--"

Aaron snatched the phone away from Lexi and motioned for one of his men to take her away. Lexi screamed in fear of her life, praying Asher was indeed close to finding her. Asher heard his wife being dragged away and tried to get Aaron's attention again.

"You're never going to get away with this."

"I already did." Aaron fired his gun twice just a few feet away from Lexi. She passed out from the shock. "Now what were you saying?"

"I'm coming for you, Aaron. When I find you, you're going to wish you'd never been born."

Aaron's eyes widened in fear. He hadn't known Asher had known who he was. He had never let Lexi mention his name to him. He was sure she hadn't told Hayden his name either. If she had, then that could mean Asher waited to instill fear in him.

"Get her out of here. I'm glad this is all over."

But it wasn't. It wouldn't be for a while. Asher was furious and he couldn't wait to take his anger out on the next person he saw.