Ashton
My phone buzzing on the table is a relief as I try not to fall asleep during this presentation by a potential investor.
“Yeah?”
“Somebody took her.” Instantaneously, I’m on high alert.
“Where are you?” I’m on my feet and walking out the door in seconds as Ryan gives me the address. Taking the stairs two at a time, I forgo the elevator down to the garage. I call Hendrix on my way to the proffered location, knowing he’ll pick up their father.
“Hey, it’s Ashton.”
“How’d you get my number?”
“Doesn’t matter.” I cloned Hadley’s phone this morning while she was sleeping. “Someone took Hadley. I’m sending you the location she was at, right now.”
“I’ll be there.” He hangs up, and I struggle to control my emotions. I just fucking found this woman; I have no desire to lose her. Not now, not ever.
Skidding to a stop a block from the store where she was shopping, I notice half a dozen cruisers, an ambulance, and a coroner’s van. It’s that last one that makes me queasy.
“Ryan!” I bellow his name as I run over but am stopped by the police. “No, my fucking girl was taken from here,” I bark out, and the younger one backs down.
“Ash, over here!” Ryan calls from the back of the ambulance. I see Hadley's friend Lake sitting in the back, holding an oxygen mask over her face.
“What happened?” I nod to the girl.
“She passed out. Waiting on her folks to get here.”
Normally I’d ask how he got their information because this girl barely talks to anyone, but I let it go. “Where the fuck is Hadley?” I snap instead.
“Men came in through the back. Snapped the owner’s neck.” Relief snags my shoulders, knowing the coroner isn’t here for Hads. “They took her out the way they came in. But listen, she made Lake hide. It’s why she got away. They said their boss wanted her. Someone knew she was here. Or is at least tracking her.”
Multiple slamming doors catch our attention, and we turn to see just about every male in Hadley’s family. If the cops want these bastards alive, they better act fast.
Only Luther, Castiel, and Hendrix are allowed through. I can see Saint pacing like a caged animal, his desire to be by Lake’s side apparent.
“Where’s my daughter, DeMarco?” Castiel demands, and a few men around us automatically stand at attention from his authoritative tone.
I don’t like his fucking accusation. “At the moment, I bet she’s scared, so let’s save the trash talk and work together to figure out what happened.” Grinding my jaw to keep from blasting him is difficult.
“Fine.” Two investigators come over to question us like we’re suspects, and I have to stop them before I put my fist down one of their throats.
“Back the fuck off and do your damn job. We didn’t do anything to Hadley; Lake told you as much. So how about you find some fucking cameras and figure out where the hell my girl is.”
Ryan steps forward and pulls the detective away. I can see the man eyeing up Hadley’s family. Clearly, he knows who they are.
“What are you thinking, Ashton?” Castiel asks me, and I'm not, other than killing whoever touched Hadley.
“My ex. She’s the bitch who tried to get into it with Hadley this morning. But she’s not smart enough to pull this off. She’s also not a killer.” Rubbing my forehead with deft fingers, it hits me. “Edward York. He’s about twice Denise’s age, so they never made sense, but he has money. And he’s jealous as fuck. If he's learned that Denise sought me out while they're in town, he might have made a play. But taking Hadley doesn’t make sense either.” I feel like I’m going in fucking circles.
“Take a breath, man.” Hendrix squeezes my shoulder, and it just angers me further. Not his support; the fact I can’t think of anyone else who would want to hurt her.
“Got any other enemies?” Luther asks from where he’s holding his daughter.
“Until today, I didn’t think so,” I throw out. If I thought for a second that Hadley was in danger, I’d have locked her in a fucking tower. I’m sure she would have escaped, but I would have tried at least. “What about you?” I stare holes into Castiel. “Who’s after the Empire? There’s always someone.”
“Nobody that wouldn’t have called already.” As soon as he says the words, my phone rings.
I almost ignore it until I see Hads' sweet face on the screen. “Shut the fuck up!” I shout, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Hadley, baby, where are you?” Ryan moves closer with a CSI guy and some electronics, probably to track her.
“Ashton?” She sounds fucking terrified, and I fight to keep it together.
“I’m here. Tell me where you are,” I demand again.
“I don’t know. I only have a minute. Give Daddy the phone.” Smart girl. She knew he’d be with me. As much as it annoys me that she’s asking for him, I know there’s a reason.
* * *