On Contract • Lashton AU

Part Four

The tension in the air made Hemmings' nerve snap. He was unable to take the pressure of Ashton's stare any longer.
The casually dressed boy stumbled backwards, with his hands outstretched. He seemed to think that would help his situation.
"I seriously don't know what you're talking about. I swear to God I don't know. Just let me walk away from this."
Luke's childlike tone made Ashton think twice about his next words. It didn't change the final outcome, though.
"I'm being paid good money to get you to sign off a cheque, or to have you disappear completely. I'll have no trouble doing the latter. Maybe you would like to make this easy for yourself and sign the money over."
Luke's response was one of denial, or so it seemed.
"You're not listening to me! I don't owe anyone money! Whoever is paying you is playing mind games. I'm clean!"
Ashton felt as if there may be an element of truth to Hemmings' words. How much, he didn't know.
"What really happened, and what I'm being paid for are unrelated."
"But I didn't take any money! Just listen to me, please-"
Ashton's harsh words cut him off.
"You pay up in the next three days or there will be consequences. You understand me?"
"I don't even know who I'm supposed to be paying!"
"Well I suggest you find out pretty quickly." Ashton snapped, having no real sympathy for the younger boy. "Oh, and another thing, if I find out that you've told anyone about our little discussion, you're going to wish I killed you tonight."
Ashton's words left the nineteen year old shaken and speechless.
To anyone else, it would have been obvious that Luke truly didn't know anything. Not to Ashton. He relied on the information he was given by his client. Nothing more, nothing less.
The blonde stared at his potential killer as he turned away thoughtlessly. Did he not see that Luke knew nothing of what was going on?
Ashton had been greatly misinformed.