Badges and Bikes

Chapter 33

Thane's POV***

I am at the office doing my damn best to keep my mind on my job. It isn't working very well. I keep thinking of Ashton and how loving she is. She is a strong woman who has everyone's respect. Even if they are breaking the law. She is the greatest lover in my universe. I am starting to wonder if I can ask for her hand in marriage. It may be too early still. She is worth the wait, for sure. Would I ask Griffin, Vic, Gina, Tara, or all the uncles? She is close to them all.

Justice comes into my office without knocking and sits in the chair across from me. "Well hello cousin! Are you better now? Or should I just go ahead and kick your ass for hurting Ashton?" I ask immediately.

He looks to still be in a pissy mood. He was totally wrong for all of his actions last night. Starting with showing up late when he had agreed to five thirty. Ashton had told us both of her pet peeves. Being late, sloppy housekeeping, lazy or disrespectful people. We also told her ours. We all agreed to try not to do the things that piss us all off. Then Justice goes and does them all in one day. I am thinking the same as Ashton, I am starting to wonder if he is on drugs and not telling us.

"I just got off the phone with her. She is being unreasonable about this whole thing. What is your advice? She says that we are over."

"I agree with her. You know that your prank was way too far into the vicious sector. It wasn't a prank. Not to mention that you had food in her bed and left a mess. Not only in the bed, but the bathroom and bedroom. She had warned us about those things. Now you seriously don't know what you did wrong?"

"What I want to know is why she ended things between us for a misunderstanding. Are you going to help me understand it or not?" Justice asked me.

"How can I help you understand when Ashton and I have both tried to tell you several times already? I do think that you should submit to a drug test though. That would ease my mind and Ashton's. Will you do it?"

"Why? So you two can add more on my head? No thanks! I thought that you would be there for me in this. I guess that I was wrong. Thanks a lot, cousin!" He stood to leave.

"Is that all you have to say about this situation? No to a test to put her my mind at ease? I am sorry, but that just shouts guilt. Apparently, you don't know what love is if you are closing off your mind like that! I think that last u.c. really screwed up your head. You are not the same man that you were before the assignment. You have completely changed into someone that I am not fond of. I feel like I lost my favorite cousin, my best friend, last year."

He left my office. I watched him walk straight to the elevators. Then disappear. I hadn't meant to voice my concern aloud. But there it was. I can't and won't take it back. He needs to know how I feel so that he knows that he can come to me for help. I just hope and pray that he does that sooner rather than later. When he does, I hope that it is not too late to make it up to Ashton. She deserves the best men. I will be there for her no matter what happens with Justice.

I pick up the phone and call her. 

"Hello, my heart! How is your day going?" She answers. I can hear the smile in her voice. 

"Hello, sweetheart! My day just got better by hearing your voice. How is your day going?"

"I am doing good, actually. I am finished with some of my paperwork and about to patrol the streets for a while."

I hear a car door shut and the engine start. "Great! Have you had lunch yet?" I ask as I stand and walk toward the elevators.

"I have not. You?"

"No, I want to take you to lunch. Is that ok with you?" I get into my truck and crank it.

"That sounds like a great plan. Where do you want to eat?" I named a little diner about halfway between our offices. "I will meet you there in five minutes."