Chapter 11
Nolan
I yank my suit jacket off the back of my chair and run from my office, my heart thumping hard in my chest. I almost slam into Iverson making his way down the hallway towards me at the same speed. I bend just in time and swivel my body around him.
“Whoa. Slow down Ryan,” Iverson says.
If I wasn’t in a hurry, it would have been comical trying to see two large men avoid a collision in the narrow hallway.
“Can’t. Need to get to the airport A.S.A.P. Ashley’s in trouble." I yell over my shoulder.
“Hang on," Iverson shouts. Something in his tone makes me stop immediately and spin around. He approaches me with a piece of paper in his hands.
“What’s this?” I ask, taking the paper.
“Ashley's location. I traced the call after I put her through to you. She’s at the Palisades Del Rey. An abandoned community next to LAX. I pin pointed her to a two-story house at the end of a cul-de-sac before her phone shut off. The address is on there too.”
“Thanks, Ashton.”
“Do you need me to go with you?” he asks.
“No, stay here and dig up everything you can find on Ashley. Whatever is going on, it might have something to do with her past. She’s been too quiet lately and normally we talk every day.” I take off down the hallway toward the elevator. Pushing the button over and over, I drag my hands down my face, anxious to get out of here. I turn back toward Ashton.
“Ashton, keep this between the two of us and I’ll call with updates.”
“You got it. Oh, and Nolan?”
“Yeah?”
“Stay safe. I don’t like the idea of you being out there alone.”
“I will and if I need you, I’ll call.”
The elevator dings and the doors whoosh open. I step inside and push the button to the lobby. After what seems like forever, I’m finally in my car driving to the airport in the middle of a snowstorm at breakneck speed.
Parking my car in the long-term parking lot, I snatch my go bag from the trunk and run through the slush and into the terminal. Two security guards escort me through a private exit and to my jet that is fueled and ready to go.
Thanking my grandpa Ryan up in heaven for believing in me, I buckle my seatbelt and the jet lifts off a few minutes later. A stewardess dressed in a short, blue dress uniform approaches me. Her attire is so tight her tits are practically falling out and if she breaths wrong the buttons down the front might explode. Her skirt is short enough that if she bends over her panties would show and she’s looking me up and down like I’m a midnight snack. Once upon a time, I would have joined her in the mile-high club but since Ashley, no woman can hold my attention.
“What?” I bark out looking away in disgust. She shrinks back a little, not appearing so bold now.
“Did you want a drink or any assistance in anything, Mr. Ryan?” The stewardess asks, licking her lips. I turn back to meet her eyes as she plumps her huge chest.
“No. What I want is you to use professionalism while working on my jet. I’m not interested in anything you have to offer. Now go.”
Yeah, yeah call me a dick but I don’t care. I don’t get what is with people. You get money and they think they can try to seduce or use you. The stewardess makes her way to the back of the plane, probably crying, but I really don’t give a fuck. When the jet is in the air, I pull out my phone and send Xavier a text.
Me: Don’t freak out. Heading to L.A. Ashley is in trouble.
Will keep you updated.
I hit send and a few seconds later my phone rings with Xavier’s name flashing across the screen. I slide the green button and accept the call.
“X, you didn’t need to call,” I speak into the phone.
“Nolan, what’s going on?” Xavier asks, concern in his voice.
“I don’t know yet. I received a call from Ashley an hour ago. She told me she was in trouble and needed my help so I’m on my way out there.”
“I wish you would have called me. Izzy lived out there with Ashley for five years. She knows a lot of her hangouts. We would have come out there with you." Frustration fills Xavier's voice.
“I appreciate that X, but I don’t know what I’m walking into and I don’t want to put either of you in danger. If I need you, I’ll call.”
“You promise? I’m fully healed, and Izzy can help find her." A few months ago, a crazy stalker named Marie kidnapped Mia and Ashley. I ended Marie’s life, but not before she shot Xavier.
“Yes, I promise,” I tell him.
“Hang on Izzy wants to talk to you." The phone goes quiet for a second and I hear Izzy on the other end.
“Nolan?” Izzy asks quietly.
“Yeah, I’m here,” I respond.
“Ok. Listen up. She has a family friend named Rush. If you can’t locate her, find him. His real name is Dakota Fleming, but everyone calls him Rush. It’s his street name." Izzy’s voice is strong and confident.
“Street name?” My brows scrunch together in confusion.
“Oh shit.” There's a long pause before she continues. “Ashley didn’t tell you?” Izzy asks.
“Tell me what? Izzy, what the hell are you talking about?” I demand, frustrated at her cryptic message. Aggravation clouds my head as I stare out the window at the rising sun. We’re flying above the dark clouds and the snow storm.
“Um, shit. Her family's involved in a racing organization. She’s a badass on the street,” Izzy responds with pride in her voice.
“Izzy, how do you know this?” I ask, cautiously.
“Well,” Izzy hesitates. “Times I was feeling down and miserable, she'd take me. We’d meet up with a bunch of other people and race down a closed-off street." The way she talks about it I can picture her shrugging her shoulders like it’s no big deal.
“You were involved in illegal street racing?” I growl into the phone.
“Yeah. It was a lot of fun. Her people and family are great. If you get to meet them tell them I said hi. I have to go, Xavier’s glaring at me. I have some explaining to do. But Nolan, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. She’s my family." Izzy says, and the line goes dead.
I text Ashton and have him perform a background check on Dakota a.k.a. ‘Rush’ Fleming. I should have answers when I land. I lay back and close my eyes. Images of Ashley run through my mind and I pray I’m there on time.