Chapter 26
Ashley
We walk hand in hand up the beach back to my house. I search around before we go inside and the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. That instinct in the pit of my stomach is becoming stronger the closer we get. My windows are still frosted over, stopping anyone from seeing inside and in this moment, I wish I didn’t turn them on. I tighten my hold on Nolan’s hand and hesitate. He stops next to me a questioning look on his face.
“Ash, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, but something's off. My instincts are telling me something isn’t right. I’ve learned over the years to trust my gut.” Panic lacing my voice.
“Stay here,” Nolan demands as he unholsters his gun.
“Hell no, I’m going in with you. No point in arguing because if you leave me out here, I’ll still follow you.” My face must have shown how serious I am because he doesn’t argue.
“Then stay behind me. Keep ahold of my back pocket so I know you’re still there.” Nolan finally replies.
I nod my head and hold onto his back pocket when he shifts towards the house. The muscles on his back tighten as he opens the back glass sliding door. The house is quiet when we enter the kitchen. I can hear the ticking of something I can’t quite put my finger on. The refrigerator is humming as we quietly walk past it.
“Where is everyone?” I ask in a whisper.
Nolan shakes his head and brings a finger up to his lips, his other hand holding the gun out in front of him as we make our way past the living room and up the stairs. Silence greets my ears and my heart is beating hard in my chest. The ticking noise sounds loud in my ears. Nolan opens the first door to our left and enters the room, doing a sweep. There is no one there, but two of his guys go bags are on the double beds. We repeat this process with the rest of the rooms and they all come up empty. My heart drops into my stomach when there is no one here. Not Izzy or Xavier, Hotflash is gone and so is all of Nolan’s crew.
Questions flood my brain as we make our way back down the plush carpeted stairs. Did we miss the meet? Where did they all go? Did something happen to them? What the hell is going on? I look at the clock on the stove once we go back into the kitchen and it reads ten p.m. I know we’re not late. This is the time we have to leave to get set up.
Nolan opens the front door and glances around in the dark, his gun still out in front of him. He still hasn't said a word since we entered the house and he told me to be quiet. He has a deadly look in his brown eyes and I suddenly have the urge to get away from my house as fast as I can. When it appears clear, he motions for me to go ahead of him. I run to my car parked in the driveway and jump into the driver’s seat. Nolan quickly follows holstering his gun back on his side.
My hands are shaking as I push the button to start my Shelby GT-500. She purrs to life, and I put her in reverse. I squeal down the driveway, my heart still hammering in my chest. I throw my car in first and punch the gas, shifting smoothly as the RPM’s rapidly raise. My heart beat slows down as I maneuver in and out of the heavy L.A. traffic. I keep an eye on my mirrors, watching for cops to pull me over from the speed I’m going as we fly up the four oh five towards Mason Park. Nolan keeps watching out his side mirror and behind us, his face isn’t giving anything away. Something is still wrong. I can feel it in my bones.
“Don’t freak out on me Ash, but we need to get off the freeway,” Nolan says with a calm voice.
“What? Why?” I ask. I peer into my mirrors again but don’t see anything.
“We’re being followed. There’s a red BMW three cars back. They’ve been changing lanes at the same time you do. Here’s how you’re going to do it. You will maintain your speed and at the last second get off the next exit. Stay in the passing lane until it’s right upon you then veer over. No turn signals. Hopefully, they can’t get over and miss the exit.” Nolan looks at me and rests his hand on my thigh, calming the panic and rage flowing through my veins.
“You got this. I have faith in you,” Nolan reassures me.
“I’ve got this,” I repeat to him, nodding my head.
I remain in the center lane, speeding by other drivers to my right. I catch the signs for the next exit and tighten my grip on the steering wheel. Changing lanes so I’m in the farthest lane away from the exit, I raise my eyes and watch my rearview mirror. Bright headlights a few cars back do the same thing. Returning my focus to the freeway, the exit is approaching fast. Luck is on my side when there’s an opening. I clutch the steering wheel and release a sharp breath, cutting across all five lanes at the last second and speed down the ramp. I don’t stop as I weave in and out of traffic, downshifting with ease. I make a hard-right turn, pull my emergency brake and drift around the corner. Adrenaline rushes through my body as I pull out of the drift, my tires screeching, resisting the turn. I make a sharp left on the next corner, horns and headlights blare at us as I run the red light. I punch the gas as I pull out of the left hand turn and shift, increasing my speed.
My body’s relaxing behind the leather wheel, but my hands are still gripping the wheel tightly as we race down the dark streets of some unknown city. I make another left-hand turn, the tires squealing in protest again. Nolan hasn’t removed his hand from my thigh as I keep on shifting and turning. We make several more left and right hand turns until we’re deep in the unfamiliar area of the city. Rundown buildings, broken street lamps, and abandoned homes fly past us as I’m in the zone, not paying attention to where we’re going but doing what I can to escape from the danger behind us.
“We’re in the clear. You can slow down now,” Nolan tells me, snapping me from the trance I’m in. I remove my foot from the gas pedal and slow down, relaxing my tight grip on the steering wheel. “Very impressive,” his deep husky voice fills my ears.
I sneak a glance in his direction. His brown eyes are hooded with lust as he watches me and it’s a huge turn on at this point. Racing always gives me a thrill but having the man I love next to me, helping me keep my cool, I can’t help but shudder at the sudden desire that penetrates my body.
I notice an abandoned parking lot and pull in. I turn the car off and get out. I need to clear my head and concentrate on what’s happening, not the sexy tattooed man sitting next to me with secrets of his own. I lean against the hood of my car, struggling to control the shaking of my hands from the adrenaline that has been sweeping through my veins over the past half hour. Nolan gets out and leans on the hood next to me. The heat from his bare chest is scorching as his shoulder brushes against mine. My breath catches in my throat as I try to calm my racing heart. Nolan wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his chest, his heart beating just as fast against my ear. He gently kisses the top of my head, creating a shiver down my spine. I lean up and look into his eyes.
“What do we do now?” I ask.
“Where would your team go?”
I think about that question for a moment and then the answer dawns on me. “Oak Mountain. It’s where we meet if we become separated during a race. I don’t have my cell phone on me. I don’t know where it went to but my two-way radio’s in the car. When we get closer, I’ll try it and see if anyone answers. Do you have your phone?”
“I think so,” Nolan says as he checks his pockets. He pulls out his cell and hits the side button. Nothing happens. “Fuck, it’s dead. I didn’t charge it today.” Nolan says with agitation.
“There’s a charger in my car.”
We climb back in my car and I hand Nolan the car charger. He plugs his phone in and I start the ignition. My car purrs to life under my feet. Before I can back out of the parking lot, headlights flood my rearview mirror. Cars surround me from all sides, stopping me from leaving.
“Oh shit,” I hiss.
Nolan draws his gun from its holster, resting it on his lap. The blinding lights flicker off and a door open behind us. Footsteps draw closer until they’ve stopped right behind my car. I can’t see who it is yet because they’re hiding in my blind spot. Nolan keeps a tight grip on his gun watching each car, waiting for someone to strike.
“Krimson,” A deep Hispanic voice flows through the air and I breathe a little easier.
I glance at Nolan. “I know who this is. We need to get out and confront them. Stay close and let me do the talking.”
I open my car door and Nolan does the same. We get out and slowly walk to the back. My hands are out in front of me, revealing I’m not carrying any weapons. Nolan is doing the same, but his gun is resting on his hip.
“Diablo, what can I do for you?” I ask the leader of the Tres Seis Gang.
Diablo has had serious issues with Redline since before he took over the west side. They’ve been in a turf war for years and Redline has tried to keep me out of it, but that never happens. I know all about his business and how to handle Diablo.
He has on dark blue jeans, a black muscle shirt, and black boots. Diablo’s intricate tattoos run up and down his arms, starting from his wrists all the way up to his shoulders and travel under his shirt. He’s watching Nolan with icy blue eyes, assessing him. I know how Nolan looks when you first meet him; he gives off an air of hostility. He hasn’t been able to put a shirt on yet, the scars and tattoos across his chest are prominent, and his muscles are rippling with agitation under the dim street lights. Diablo’s dark eyes swing back in my direction while three other men walk behind him, arms crossed over their chests.
“Krimson, word had it you were in the area. I had to see for myself."
“I must have made a wrong turn somewhere,” I shrug my shoulders, feigning indifference.
“Wrong turns can get you in trouble,” Diablo’s voice is low and deadly.
His ice blue eyes roam over my body and I do my best not to act affected. All I want to do is punch this asshole in the face. My hands are shaking and I’m really close to losing my temper with him, but I must rein it in. I approach him so we’re only a footstep away. Nolan muscles tense up behind me, but I ignore it. I draw a deep sigh and meet Diablo, face to face.
“Look, I realize you got issues with my crew. I accept that. I have other matters to take care of before we get into a pissing contest here. Now, let me and my friend leave, and you won’t see us in this area again.”
“See Krimson that’s the problem. I might want you in my area more often, then you can learn what Redline is really up to.” Diablo leers at me.
“I know what Redline is up too. I’m not stupid. I keep close tabs on all my leaders and I know shit they don’t expect me to notice. So, how about we set up a meet. I’ll call you later. I have a thing to get to right now.” I cross my arms over my chest, waiting to see what Diablo will do. He’s a loose cannon and I need to keep him under control.
“Very well, Krimson. Then you know about him sniffing around my girl?” Diablo asks.
I try to hold a chuckle in but fail. This pisses Diablo off and his body convulses with rage. The three men behind him uncross their arms and straighten, ready to strike.
“What’s so funny?” Diablo sneers.
“Well for starters, Redline has better taste than that,” I answer, holding up one finger. “Second did you ever think your girl can’t keep her legs closed for anyone? And Third, instead of coming at me like a little boy who’s butt hurt, come at me like a man and a leader.” I respond, holding up three fingers. “I don’t have time for this shit. You want to take a shot at me, wait in line. My crew has done nothing to you but sell shit in your area. You don’t want us there, fine. I’ll take our business elsewhere. Be warned Diablo, we pull out and your business goes down. Those people who buy from us will follow wherever we go.” I step back from Diablo and lean up against the trunk of my Shelby GT 500. “So, what’s it going to be? Do you want to finish me here or do you want to wait in line?” I ask him.
My voice comes out casually like it’s an everyday occurrence. Really, I’m shaking on the inside. I have no backup weapon I can get to quickly and I need to think about Nolan. He can’t be a casualty to my drama. Emotions cross Diablos handsome face. He goes from anger and rage to pain, then to acceptance. I will keep my word and pull out, but he also knows it will hurt his own business.
“Fine,” Diablo concedes.
“Fine, what?” I ask, needing him to be more specific.
“Fine, I’ll lay off you getting out of my territory. But I want that meet.” Diablo says stepping closer. I catch a whiff of his cologne and I try not to gag at the stench.
“Fine. When this other business is done, you’ll get that meet as long as I’m still alive.” I tell Diablo, pushing off the trunk of my car.
“Wait? What?” Diablo asks, following behind me.
“Yeah, you’re not the only one who wants me out,” I tell him walking to the driver’s side door of my car. I reach for the handle to open it, but Diablo stops me.
“What are you talking about? I don’t want you out or dead. I want Redline to back off.”
I look at Diablo, confusion lines his forehead. His brows are scrunched together, and he wrinkles his nose.
“I’ll get Redline to back off. Anything else I’ll handle on my own. If I survive the next twenty-four hours, you’ll get your meet. Now, we really have to go.” I tell Diablo opening my door. Nolan does the same and we both get in my car. Before I can shut it, Diablo steps in my way.
“Is this about that loser, Reiser?” Diablo asks.
“What do you know about it?” I demand glaring at Diablo.
“Just that he’s been sniffing around my girl, asking questions, and telling lies,” Diablo answers.
“Well, tell your girl to stay away from him. I’m not going to tell you what to do with your guys, but if they’re smart, they’ll stay away too and not get involved. Things are changing and be prepared for backlash if you try to interfere. Not from me and my crew, but from the 38th Street Gang.”
Diablo stumbles back a little from that explanation and it’s enough for me to slam my door. I start my car and peel out of the parking lot. I check my rearview mirror and Diablo’s still standing there speechless.
Nolan doesn’t say a word until we’re back on the freeway heading north towards Oak Mountain. My hands are shaking and sweat is forming on my brow. He turns in his seat, watching me. I take my eyes off the road for a second and glance at him, offering him a small smile as he rests his hand on my thigh, comforting me.
“We will get through this Ash. I promise,” Nolan’s strong voice fills the silence.
The surrounding air becomes stifling until I can’t stand the pressure anymore. I pull off at the first rest area we arrive at and turn into a parking spot far in the back, away from everyone. I shut the car off with unsteady hands and attempt to take a deep breath. I can’t get air into my lungs and spots fill my vision. What if’s and why’s flood my brain.
“Ashley, talk to me. What’s going on?” Nolan asks.
I try to get out of my car, but I can’t find the door handle. Panic floods my veins. I have no control over anything and the reality of the situation settles in my bones.
I can’t breathe. Tears are in my eyes, black spot cloud my vision and I have to get out. I need to inhale the fresh air. I claw at the door handle again but still can’t open it. I try to unbuckle my seatbelt, but my fingers won’t work on that either. They’re numb and my body won’t cooperate.
Suddenly my door flies open and Nolan unhooks my seatbelt. He hauls me out of the car into his powerful arms, and I’m finally able to catch my breath. It’s short little bursts, but it’s better than not being able to breathe at all. I draw a deep breath holding my tears at bay as Nolan holds me up. His hands caress my back trying to help me get feelings in my limbs, trying to soothe me.
“Hey, it will be OK, Ash. We will fix this, and I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Nolan says gently.
His deep voice penetrates through my panic attack. I can finally acknowledge his strong hands rubbing up and down my back, soothing me. My vision clears, and I can breathe again. I wipe the tears from my eyes and hold onto Nolan tight. He’s grounding me, saving me from falling over the edge. His tone is gentle and reassuring. I look up into his whiskey eyes. He has a line appearing on his forehead and he’s unsure what to do, but he’s doing everything right.
“Thank you. I haven’t had a panic attack like that in a long time.” I reply.
I move my hand up and stretch my fingers over his forehead, smoothing out that wrinkle. I lean up, so our lips are only a breath apart. I need to touch him, know he’s here. I kiss him and yank him closer to me. His hardness grinds against my stomach through his jeans and I let out a whimper from the back of my throat.
Nolan kisses me back, his tongue entering my mouth as I part my lips. My body is on fire as he runs his hands up and down my back, pressing further into me until I’m trapped between his body and my car. I wrap my legs around his waist when he picks me up and sets me on the trunk of my car. With his height, he can nestle his body between my legs and direct the sensations flowing through me to my center. I pull his head back and tighten my legs around him, locking my ankles together. I lick and suck my way down his throat and he tightens his hold on my waist, tugging me closer against him, grinding against my center. I run my palms down his bare chest and a shiver wracks through my body and into my soul. Every time I touch him, I’m on fire, like I can’t get enough of him. He continues to rub against my pussy and his hands are under my tank top, squeezing and kneading my breasts.
“God, I want to fuck you so badly,” Nolan whispers in my ear. His dirty mouth has my body responding as a moan leaves my lips.
“I need you now,” I whisper back.
I don’t care where we are or who’s around. Nolan rips his lips away from my ear he was nibbling and looks around. We’re off the beaten path, cars are driving in and out, but I parked far enough away where they can’t see back here. I lean into him and bite his nipple gently, then soothe it with my tongue. His body shivers under my mouth as I keep doing it. Before I know it, Nolan has me up and off the trunk, pulling my mouth from his heaving chest. His hands unbutton my jeans and he slides them down my legs. I can’t step out of them because of my boots, but Nolan spreads my legs slightly apart, making room for his body. A breeze is blowing across my naked legs and center, creating a chill to run across my heated body. Nolan kisses his way up one leg, then repeats the process with the other. Once he reaches my center he licks my clit, creating a moan to escape my lips. Nolan continues to lick and suck as he runs a finger down to my entrance, coating it with my wetness.
“Fuck, Nolan I need you inside of me.” I moan.
He licks his way up my body and I hear him unbutton and unzip his jeans. I reach inside to free him from the confinements of his boxers. His hard cock is massive in my small hands as I grip it and give it a tug, generating a shiver and groan from him.
“Ash, I won’t last long with your sweet hands playing with me.” Nolan moans out.
I guide him to my center, trying to spread my legs as wide as they can go with my jeans around my ankles. I brush his cock along my wetness, coating it.
“Hands on the trunk,” Nolan demands.
I release his hard shaft from my grip and turn around. I rest my palms on the spoiler and his heated body scorches against my back. He spreads my legs with his rough hands and runs his fingers from my clit to my opening. I stick my ass out a little more giving him better access. Nolan grabs my hair with one hand and uses his other to rub his cock down my ass towards my center.
“Fuck me, Nolan,” I moan out.
He tugs my head back slightly and enters me from behind. The sensation of his hands in my hair tugging it and his cock penetrating me causes a sigh to escape my throat. The thrill of getting caught sends me higher and higher. Barely taking short gasps as he moves in and out, slamming into me from behind. The build-up starts low in my stomach. Nolan grips my hips painfully but continues his punishing pace, our bodies slapping together in the night air.
“So beautiful, come with me,” Nolan growls. His hand moves to my clit, his fingers pinching and rubbing it sending me over the edge.
“Fuck, I’m coming,” I groan out in ecstasy.
My pussy tightens around his cock driving my ass into him hard. I enjoy the minute Nolan let’s go. He grows bigger inside of me before slamming into me a few more times. I explode around his cock, milking him for all he has. My name tears from his throat as he finds his own release. Our pace slows down, sweat is coating our bodies as we both come back to reality.
Nolan rests his head on my back and inhales sharply. The wind picks up creating chills on our heated skin. Nolan pulls his softening shaft out of me and kisses my shoulder. I pull my jeans back up. Once I’m dressed, I turn to face Nolan, leaning up against the trunk of my car.
“I don’t know what we will walk into, but if my gut is telling me anything it won’t be good.” Nolan rests his hip on the trunk next to me, crossing his ankles and drapes his arm over my shoulder, pulling me against him.
“Ashley, we'll get through this, you and me. I’m here and not going anywhere.”
“I know, I’m still worried though. What if something happened to everyone? What if they’re not there?” I ask, staring into his whiskey colored eyes.
He brushes a piece of hair away from my face that spilled out of my bun. Nolan’s phone rings loudly from inside the car, startling both of us. He pushes off the trunk and snatches it.
“Ryan here.” Nolan barks out. His face drops and his jaw becomes tense. He paces back and forth on the pavement, running his free hand through his brown hair. “Iverson, slow down. Where are you?” I strain to hear what Ashton’s saying, but I can’t. “We’re on our way.” Nolan covers the phone with his palm and glances at me. “Ash, how far away are we from Mason Park?”
“About thirty minutes,” I answer. “Nolan, what’s going on?”
“We’re about thirty minutes away,” Nolan repeats into the phone. He pauses, “Yeah, we’re good. Had a little run-in with the Tres Seis Gang, but no harm. Someone was tailing us, but we lost them.” He pauses again to listen to Ashton. “What happened to everyone?” Nolan asks into the phone. He nods his head then realizes Ashton can’t see him and stops. “OK see ya there.” Nolan hangs up his phone, looks at me and then drops his gaze to the ground. There’s apprehension in his eyes. He drives his hands through his hair again, making it messy.
“Nolan, what’s going on? Where did everyone go?” I ask again.
“Hotflash said she received a message from you claiming we left early to get set up, so they took off in a hurry.” Nolan answers. There’s something he’s not saying. I can tell because he isn’t looking me in the eyes.
“Anything else?” I challenge. Nolan hesitates. “Nolan, we’re in this together. What are you hiding from me?” I demand.
He still hesitates, and it’s pissing me off now. I cross my arms and stand tall, staring him down until he answers. He starts squirming under my gaze.
“Ok, Ok, I’ll tell you. Damn woman put that away.” he responds.
“Talk now, Ryan,” I demand.
“It’s not good. It has nothing to do with you, but it does me. My past is coming back to haunt me.”