A/n
So some of you may have noticed that I have been putting "Songs of the Chapters" In the footer of every chapter! But for those of you who haven't, the songs are on the play list I listen to when writing this book- it changes with every book. This chapter's is "World so Cold" by 3 Days Grace, and I think its absolutely perfect for this book.
Enjoy.
-Hope
Carmen
Ashton stormed out of the secretary's office, not looking back once. He walked fast, and it was hard to keep up. He kept that foul scowl on his face, his eyebrows scrunched together. I tried to grab his arm and try to calm him down, but he shook me off. This continued until we were into the elevator, being lowered to the first floor.
"Ashton?" I said, putting my hand on his arm, his hands in his pockets. "Ashton, please, listen to me."
He kept staring forward, at the closed doors. "Ashton." I said again, a little more sternly. He softened a bit. "Ashton, you can't let him make you angry like that."
Ashton sighed and looked to his feet, shifting position, but not shaking off my hand like he had previously done. "Ashton," I said again. "Listen to me."
He turned and looked me in the eye, and then closed his eyes and grimaced. "I'm sorry."
I sighed. "Ashton, why did he make you that angry? He's never made you angry like that before. I've never seen you that mad."
Ashton looked down at the floor and didn't reply. He looked up, back at me, and kissed my forehead. He hugged me to his chest, nearly taking my breath away from the surprise of the situation. He rested his chin on my head and sighed. "Don't worry about it."
The elevator doors opened, and we earned even more whispers and looks as we pulled away and walked towards the door. Even in his anger, Ashton still opened the doors for me.
-
"Ashton," I said, once we were in the car. "Why did he make you so angry?" Ashton closed his door and froze, his hands on the wheel. "Ashton?" I asked again.
He sighed and looked at me. "I just.. I'm sorry, I just don't like hearing him talk about you like that. Accusing you of shit, and accusing me of shit. It's just... I couldn't take it, especially after what he previously said."
"Previously said?" I asked. This was news to me.
Ashton sighed, and swore under his breath. "Well, I know you're going to grill me about it until I tell you. So, when I went in to try to get him to bail you out, I... got angry then too. He had said that 'your actions need consequences' after I said that this case wouldn't be solved without you. He accused you of attempted murder, like he believed that you actually did attempt, and he also said that because I liked you that it 'doesn't mean you get automatic rights to be bailed out of jail,' and some other shit I don't remember. It ended with me storming out." He slammed his palm on the wheel.
I sighed. "Ashton, thank you."
"What?" He said, looking at me.
"Thank you."
"For what?" He said, relaxing slightly, running his hand through his hair.
"For protecting me, and.... you like me?"
"You haven't got the message so far?" He laughed, smiling that classic smile. But the smile disappeared when he saw the sadness in my face. "What's wrong with that?"
I sighed and turned to face the windshield, focusing on a woman who was frantically trying to get her car alarm to shut off a couple of parking spots over. "It's just.. I don't want you in on this mess. I don't want you dragged into it. I don't want you hurt."
"Hurt?" He said, pain in his face. "Why would I be hurt?"
I sighed, trying to blink back tears. "Because I'm incapable of feeling that. I'm toxic to everyone I meet, and I don't want you poisoned."
He sighed and kept staring at me. "You liar."
"What?" I said.
"You liar, saying that you poison everyone you meet. What about Mia? You were a friend to her when she had no one. You gave a feeling of protection to those affected by countless cases, including the one we're on now. And what about me? I haven't been poisoned. In fact, I'm happier than I ever have been, now that I have met you and gotten to know you."
I was speechless as Ashton took my hand.
"Don't say that about yourself," He said, his mouth inches away from mine.
I sighed. "I'm sorry." I said, even though I really wasn't sorry for telling the truth.
He kissed me, and I felt this weird feeling under all of the happiness. Like a feeling that told me that he might get hurt for loving me.
"Now let's get ready to crack this case wide open," He said, pulling away and turning on the ignition.
-
UNKNOWN POV
"Look at this." He said, playing the video over our video chat. "I was watching the security footage of the building again, and this is what I found."
"Hm." I said, watching the video of Ashton Fray and Carmen James embracing and talking in the elevator. I watched the montage of him opening doors and the elevator and hallway footage.
"Now," he said, "this is some footage one of my men caught in the parking lot of the jail." Now, I saw the two kissing in the car of Ashton Fray's. "And again, seconds ago, in the building's parking lot."
The video was removed from the screen, and the man with the quiffed hair and piercings returned. "Your plan isn't working." He scolded.
"I'm figuring it out," I said, spinning in my chair.
"Stop that spinning, you idiot. This could cost us the whole plan. It depended on them hating each other."
I sighed and stopped spinning. "They're on their way to the warehouse now, or will be soon. The location is with them, so they'll be there soon."
"Better get over here then." He said.
I nodded. "On my way. Now the best part of the plan goes down."
"Everything we've been waiting for." He said. Over in the background, I heard muffled talking and yelling. "WOULD YOU SHUT UP? I'LL KILL THAT PREGNANT LADY IF YOU DON'T, OR BOTH. ONE OF THEM OR BOTH, GOT ME?"
The muffling stopped as I said I'd be there, and disconnected.
______________________________________________________________________________________
