CHAPTER 5
The moment we arrived at Asher’s house, I knew something serious was wrong. A small metal building had been erected in front of the gate and a uniformed guard with a gun on his hip stepped out to greet us. He checked our IDs against photocopies on a clipboard and radioed up to the house for clearance to let us inside. A dozen more guards greeted us on the other side of the gate, spread out in equal intervals down the driveway.
I pulled into the garage and flew into the house. Asher was at the table with Parker, Detective Austin, and two uniformed policemen I didn’t recognize. Another armed security guard sat at the kitchen island. Everyone in the room was tense and I’d never seen Asher so pale.
“What happened?” I demanded. “I just rushed out of my parents’ house. I probably took a decade off of their lives. Why are all of these guards here?”
“Sit down, Lauren,” Parker said, her voice low. She stood, giving me the seat beside Asher. She sat down across from us and Claire took the chair at the head of the table.
“We’ve received some pretty devastating news,” Detective Austin explained. “As you know, we’ve been in regular contact with the LAPD as well as the California court system. A woman from the parole board called this afternoon after encountering and correcting an error in their files. Luis Chavez was released on parole the Friday before Rachel and the money disappeared.”
“What?” I growled as Claire let out a gasp. “How did this happen? We were already working with the police. Why didn’t we hear about this?”
“The office has launched an internal investigation to figure that out,” Parker answered. “But I think we can assume that someone’s palm was greased.”
“This changes everything,” I realized out loud.
Asher nodded. “I was right. That bastard has had her all along.”
“But that doesn’t make sense either,” Claire chimed in. “She was alone in Vermont. She’s obviously been moving around freely.”
“Claire’s right,” Parker agreed. “If we didn’t know about her visit to Vermont, I’d be more than willing to revisit the idea that Rachel was kidnapped. But we do know she was there and we know Luis wasn’t. He’s on the no fly list and he’s required to check in with his PO in person every other day. So far, he hasn’t missed a meeting.”
Claire cleared her throat. “If Luis has been free for almost two weeks, why hasn’t he made a move yet? Is there a chance he still doesn’t know where Asher is?”
“There’s always a chance,” Parker agreed. “We aren’t positive that his release is related to Rachel’s disappearance. But if it’s not, it’s an awfully big coincidence.”
Realization crossed Asher’s face and he looked at Parker with shock. “You think that Rachel’s working with him?”
“I don’t know what to think,” she corrected him. “Maybe we’ve been wrong all along. Maybe Rachel found out about the parole hearing and that’s why she ran. Maybe the money she stole paved the way for Luis’s release. Maybe the two are completely unrelated and we’ve been on the right track this whole time. There’s no way to know until something else happens.”
“She must have found out about the hearing,” Asher insisted.
“If that’s the case, why wouldn’t she have told you about it?” I countered. “I know we were out of the country, but she has your phone number.”
Asher opened his mouth and closed it again, unable to form a response. I turned to Parker.
“You said we won’t know more until something else happens. We’re supposed to wait around like sitting ducks and wait for someone to attack us?”
“Not exactly. In fact, I think you’ll be perfectly safe as long as you stay behind this wall. You’re fortunate to be able to afford this kind of protection,” she told Asher.
“Yeah, I feel like the luckiest guy alive,” he quipped.
“I know this is difficult. And I promise you, I will get to the bottom of the mix-up with the parole board if I have to comb through all of their records myself. I don’t think you have to worry about being attacked, per say. But you can expect a certain amount of waiting before we have any answers.”
“We’re going on total lockdown,” Asher announced. “Parker, I’d like you to move into the guestroom. I’ll send someone to the hotel for your things. Claire, I think it’s best if you stay here as well. We have no way of knowing if someone followed Lauren to the townhouse and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you. You can take the master with Lauren and I’ll sleep on the fold-out sofa in the office.”
“I can stay in the office,” she insisted.
Asher turned back to Parker. “I made a decision last night. Monday morning, I’m going to meet with my board and tell them everything. I think it’s only fair that they have a heads up. Once the story goes public, the company is going to receive a lot of unwanted attention. After I meet with the board, I’ll give a statement to whatever group you’d like to put together. From there, Lauren and I are going to leave town for a while.”
“Are you sure you want to hold a press conference?” Parker asked. “It would be much safer if the two of you left town and we released a statement while you’re in transit.”
Asher shook his head. “If I’m going to do this, I’m doing it the right way. I need people to hear my voice, to see my face. I’m admitting that I took a life. I need to show that I understand the severity of that confession.”
“All right. If you’re sure, I’ll start putting a list together. We’ll wait until Monday morning to issue invites. We don’t want to give the reporters too much time to speculate.”
“You’re the expert. I’ll start working on what I’m going to say. I’d like to sit down with one of your PR people and go over it sometime Monday morning.”
“I’ll arrange that as well,” she promised.
“Has anyone filled Kennedy in on all of this?” I asked.
Parker nodded. “She and Jackson have a charity event that they can’t get out of. She promised to call as soon as it’s over.”
Detective Austin’s phone chimed. He read a text message and let out a sigh of relief.
“We’ve got eyes on Chavez. He’s at the family home in LA. We’ll keep him under surveillance.”
“Fantastic. Where are we with Melanie?” Parker countered.
“Who’s Melanie?” Claire asked, her brow scrunched.
“I’ll explain later,” I whispered.
“We’re still looking for her,” Detective Austin replied. “Her neighbor said she’s been gone for about a week. We can’t find any record of her flying out of any of the airports and her car is in her garage.”
“So she and Rachel are probably together,” Asher observed.
“Probably,” he agreed. “We’ve flagged both their passports, so if they try to leave the country, we’ll know about it. I have a meeting at the precinct in twenty minutes, so I’m going to head out. I’ll stay in touch.”
“Thank you, Detective,” Asher said, rising to walk him to the door.
“I’m sorry I keep being the bearer of bad news,” he replied. “For what it’s worth, I think Parker is right. You should all be safe here. I’ll arrange for extra patrols of the area, just in case.”
“Thank you,” I called after him as they made their way across the room. The detective waved over his shoulder and disappeared.
Claire turned to me and lowered her voice. “Do you think it’s safe for me to go back to the townhouse for a few things? I feel weird about having some strange security guard digging through my underwear drawer.”
“I’m sure it’s fine, as long as you take a guard with you,” I assured her. “Give Asher a few minutes to let this all sink in and then we’ll see what we can do.”
“Claire, why don’t you take the guestroom?” Parker suggested. “I’ll take the office. I’ll be in there most of the time anyway.”
“If you’re sure.”
“It’s really no problem,” she insisted. “I’m going to step in there now and make a few calls. Someone should probably arrange for a grocery delivery. The fridge is getting a little bare,” she warned.
“I’ll take care of it,” Claire immediately replied. “I don’t have the first clue of what to do about all of this legal stuff, but I can keep us all fed. I appreciate you letting me stay here, Asher. I know I’m probably not in any danger, but I’d be lying if I said the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.”
“It’s the least I can do,” he told her. He sat down at the island and poured himself a glass of scotch.
“In fact, I don’t really like the idea of leaving you behind when Lauren and I leave for the Hamptons. I’ve seen firsthand what the family is willing to do to get the information they need. I know joining us could be problematic with your job, but I’m more than willing to compensate you.”
“I have savings,” she replied. “And I was about to quit my job anyway. I’m not the kind of girl who refuses to be whisked away to the Hamptons, regardless of the circumstances.”
“It’s settled then. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll have someone drive you to the townhouse so you can pack. As far as the grocery order goes, call the market on Fifth and order whatever you’d like. Tell them to put it on my account and have them leave the delivery with the guard out front.” Then he rubbed his face with both hands before pressing his fingers into his temples. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to lay down for a little while.”
Asher finished his scotch with one swallow and turned toward the bedroom. I glanced at Claire, unsure of what to do.
“It’s fine,” she whispered. “Go with him. I’ll order the groceries and then talk to someone about going to the townhouse.”
“I can arrange that for you, ma’am,” the guard at the island offered.
“Thank you…?”
“John, ma’am.”
“Thank you, John.” She smiled brightly at me. Too bright.” See Lauren, I have everything under control. Go check on Asher. We’re fine here.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Claire.”
“Looks like you’ll have plenty of time before you have to worry about that.”
***
Overnight, Asher’s formerly tranquil, private house evolved into a bustling, chaotic blend of tension and uncertainty. Everywhere I looked, I spotted a new person holding a weapon. Guards walked the wide wall, patrolling the borders of the property. I knew more of them were stationed at the base of the mountain on the off chance that someone would brave the deadly terrain to get to us. The bathroom was literally the only place to escape to for solitude. I knew the extra protection was necessary, but it didn’t take long for me to feel claustrophobic.
Claire, on the other hand, was in her element. She seemed determined to make sure everyone, including the security team, gained ten pounds during our confinement. After a breakfast of bacon, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, and gravy, she returned to the kitchen to start on a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Parker excused herself to the office and Asher turned to me with a sideways smile.
“This is already getting to you,” he observed.
“My nerves are on edge,” I confessed. “I’m so ready to get away from this, Asher. I can’t wait until tomorrow when the secret is out and we’re free to just be. I know some aspects are still going to be tough for a while, but I finally feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like we’re so close to it, and I have a terrible premonition that something’s going to get in our way.”
“The way we’ve been getting hit from all sides, that’s completely understandable,” he assured me. “We’re due to catch a break, Lauren. I hate seeing you like this. I can’t wait to see you relax again. And I know that’s almost impossible in our current circumstances. So…” he grinned, “I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise? When did you pull that off?” I teased. I felt like we’d been on top of each other for the last day and a half.
“I have my ways,” he replied.
Asher rose to his feet and offered me his hand. I accepted it and he walked me down the terrace steps and into the yard. He walked me toward the cliff line and I spotted a small easel set up under a billowing white canopy. A sturdy table beside it held paints, brushes, and bottles of water.
“Claire filled the cooler with snacks,” he explained, gesturing to the small ice chest.
“Oh Asher, this is perfect,” I exhaled. Looking at my art supplies arranged neatly on the table felt like having a load of bricks lifted from my chest.
“I thought you might need some time to just be,” he explained. “I spoke with the guards and told them to stay out of sight. Spend as much time out here as you need, baby.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Asher kissed my forehead and set off for the house. I settled in on the sturdy stool and stared out at the horizon for a few minutes before picking up a brush. I was full of so many ugly emotions, the only colors I could see in my mind were red and black. I poured puddles of the colors onto a paper plate and attacked the canvas. I let the paint fly without thought, working solely from emotions. My rage flowed out in bold streaks of red and thick blobs of darkness. I added purple to the plate and snaked thin lines across the canvas. I painted until I felt better and then I kept going. When I finally looked up, the sun shone down from the middle of the sky.
I drank a bottle of water and studied the painting for a few minutes before pulling out my phone and snapping a picture. I text it to Kennedy, who called almost immediately.
“Are you okay?” she demanded before I could say hello.
“I feel better than I have in weeks,” I assured her. “I take it you don’t like the painting?”
“That thing scared the shit out of me,” she confessed. “All of those shadows and faces… it’s haunting. It’s really, really good. But it’s haunting.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Asher surprised me with all my art stuff this morning. I picked up the brush and this just came out. It was cathartic.”
“I’m glad you feel better. I’ve been so worried about you. I can’t believe Luis Chavez is out of jail. I’ll feel so much better tomorrow when we’re all together. How’s Asher holding up?”
“He’s putting on a brave face, but I know he’s terrified. He worked on his speech most of last night. I bet he’s been at it all day. He’s really nervous about how everyone’s going to take the news. And we’re both a little spooked by this whole FBI file business. Have you been able to find out anything about that?”
“We have people looking into it, but I haven’t heard anything yet. But it didn’t really surprise me to learn he had one.”
“It didn’t?”
“Of course not. I probably have one. I know Jackson and Jack do. Money draws attention, Lauren. From everyone, especially the government. I doubt the FBI was looking for anything specific. They’re probably just keeping tabs on him.”
“I hope so. When I saw the file, my first thought was that Rachel might be setting him up for something.”
“There’s nothing in the file to suggest they think he’s committed any crimes,” she assured me again. “But just to be sure, I did call one of my contacts at the SEC. She hasn’t called me back yet, but she promised to poke around and see if Asher’s on their radar. Rachel was in the perfect position to set him up for fraud or embezzlement charges.”
“She was in the perfect position to screw us in every way possible. You know I’m not a hateful person.” I blew out a breath and stood up to pace back and forth under my little tent. “But when I see the pain on Asher’s face, the guilt he feels over everything that’s happened, I hate that woman. If I ever get my hands on her—”
“You will do nothing of the sort,” Kennedy interrupted, her voice firm. “Rachel’s crazy, Lauren. In all likelihood, she could kill you without breaking a sweat or batting an eye. That’s why we’re doing all of this by the book and letting the authorities handle it.”
“I know,” I agreed with a sigh.
“Sorry I had to use my lawyer voice. But I can’t stress the importance of this.”
“Believe me, I understand. You sound as wound up as I felt this morning, Kennedy.”
“I don’t like being this far away from you with everything that’s going on. Now that we know Luis has been released, I’m not going to rest well until we’re under the same roof. You’re my best friend, Lauren. If anything happens to you…” She cleared her throat. “I can’t even think about it.”
“I saw my parents yesterday. It wasn’t pretty.” I told her about the vague explanations I’d given Mom and Dad and how guilty I felt for running away the moment Asher texted.
“That must have been terrible.”
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. If I thought there was a chance in hell that they’d join us at your place, I’d have told them everything. But they’d never leave the bed and breakfast. If I told them, they’d just worry. Asher promised to put very discreet guards on them in case the Chavez family tries anything. Claire was going to check on them, but now she’s coming with us. I hope that’s okay?”
“It’s more than okay. The more the merrier,” she insisted. “Are you still planning to leave straight from the press conference?”
“Yes. In fact, I should probably go inside and start packing. I just can’t bear the thought of going back in there with so many people crawling around. I’ve seen enough men with guns this weekend to last a lifetime.”
“So I guess you don’t want to go skeet shooting once we get to the estate? I thought it might be a good way to blow off some steam.”
I laughed. And wow, it felt good to laugh. “If you paint Rachel’s face on the clay, I’ll blast every one you sling.”
***
We ate a late lunch on the terrace and then Asher and I started packing. As the day progressed, his mood darkened and his body tensed. I knew he was dreading the next day, but I had no idea how to help him. When he and Parker sat down in the office to go over his speech, I slipped into the kitchen with Claire.
“I think it’s safe to say you should start a catering company,” I told her with a smile. “You’ve been amazing this weekend. I overheard two of the guards talking about how much they looked forward to coming to work because of all the delicious treats. I think one of them has a little crush on the chef.”
Claire rolled her eyes and smiled. “A man is the last thing I need right now. But I’m glad everyone’s enjoying the food. I overdid it a little with the grocery order, but I’m planning to cook everything before we leave. If nothing else, the guards can take it home. I just don’t want anything to go to waste.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for doing all of this. Not just the cooking, but packing up and leaving at a moment’s notice. I feel horrible that you and Kennedy were dragged into this.”
“It’s not your fault,” she reminded me. “I’m happy to go with you. I’d have worried myself to death with you gone. And I really have been happy to feed everyone. It makes me feel like I’m doing something useful.”
“I wish I felt that way,” I confessed. “Asher is so on edge. His entire world is going to change tomorrow and there’s nothing I can do to make him feel better.”
She touched my hand. “He knows you’re on his side, Lauren. That’s the most important thing anyone could be doing right now. And Asher’s tough. Look at everything he’s survived and everything he’s accomplished in spite of it.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “This isn’t the first hard thing Asher’s had to deal with. And I know how to make him feel better. Want to help?”
“Absolutely.”
Claire and I spent the next hour setting up a romantic campground on Asher’s favorite spot of land. We blew up an air mattress, covered it with sleeping bags, and stacked wood in the fire pit. I arranged lanterns in the tree branches while Claire went back to the house to fill a picnic basket. When the space was perfect, I joined her. When Asher and Parker finally emerged from the office, I took his hand and led him outside.
“Where are we going?” he asked, his shoulders still tense.
“We’re running away,” I explained. “You need a break even more than I did. And I’m going to make sure you get one.”
“Lauren, we have things to take care of,” he argued, turning back to the house.
I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back to me, staring into his eyes.
“You are my most important thing to take care of,” I told him. “Your speech is finished. Our things are packed. We have nothing to do but wait for tomorrow to come. And if you wait in that house, you’re going to crack. So we’re going camping.”
A smile flickered across Asher’s face and a slight twinkle lit his eyes. “Camping?”
“Camping. It’s all set up. We’re going to have a picnic dinner and sleep under the stars. We don’t know how long we’ll be away from here. We should spend our last night in your favorite place.”
Asher started walking toward the forest. “I can’t believe you thought of this.”
“You’re not the only one who can pull a surprise out of their hat,” I teased.
We walked arm in arm to the campsite and Asher pulled me onto the air mattress. I laid my head on his shoulder and we stared up at the sky, watching in silence as the wind blew clouds into different shapes. After a few minutes, I felt Asher’s muscles finally relax beside me.
“Claire reminded me of something this afternoon,” I said, lightly stroking his neck.
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“This isn’t the first hard thing you’ve been through.”
He exhaled and shook his head. “No, it isn’t.”
“And you did a pretty fantastic job of surviving the other shit.”
“Did I? Sometimes I’m not so sure.”
“Look at this place, Asher. Look at the life you built. You had every odd stacked against you. And you triumphed over all of them, all by yourself. When Claire reminded me of that, I realized that we’re going to get through this and come out better on the other side.”
He looked so hopeful, my heart squeezed in my chest. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” I insisted. “I know that you’re worried about what people will think of you when you admit the truth. But it’s not like you shot a boy scout in cold blood. You stopped a man who was trying to kill you, a man who’d killed at least two other people already. If they made a movie about it, you’d be a hero. I don’t think anyone’s going to judge you for taking a drug dealing murderer off the street.”
“Still, people are going to know that I took a life.”
“People are going to know you did what you had to. Anyone would hope they could do the same.”
“They’re also going to know where I came from,” he pointed out. “They’re going to know about my dad and where he is.”
“Does that bother you?”
Asher shook his head. “Not really. I’m not ashamed of him. But that’s what people will assume once they know I lied about who I am. That bothers me.”
“Have you thought about visiting your dad once all of this is over? You’d be able to, since you won’t have to hide anymore.”
“The thought has crossed my mind,” he confessed. “But I’m not sure it’s the best idea. I don’t know what we’d say to each other.”
“You could start with hello and see what happens from there,” I suggested.
Asher rolled onto his side and kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll think about it once we’ve dealt with everything else. A prison reunion isn’t exactly high on my priority list at the moment. Besides, I’d much rather hang out with your parents and show your dad how to dominate the games.”
“I think he’s going to love it once he gets started. I can just see him now, showing off for all the guests. But after yesterday, it may take them a little time to warm up to you,” I warned. “It’ll probably take them time to warm back up to me.”
“We’ll make it up to them,” he promised. “And that will be a priority.”
“Let’s stop thinking about everything we’re going to do when this nightmare is over and focus on this moment,” I suggested. “We can’t change the past. We can’t control the future. But we can claim right now for ourselves and spend it however we want.”
Asher smiled at me and raised an eyebrow. “Are there any guards nearby?”
I gave him a devilish grin and shook my head. “I took care of that.”
“Then I know exactly how I want to spend right now,” he told me. He crawled on top of me, pulling my shirt over my head.
“I want to touch you, and taste you, and make you feel as safe and amazing as you make me feel,” he said, covering my neck with wet, urgent kisses. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Lauren. I don’t know how I survived before we met. You say I’m strong, but you’re the one who’s kept us stable. I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” I replied, covering his face with long, slow kisses. Our lips found each other and our tongues danced in rhythm with our racing hearts. Asher lifted my back from the mattress and unhooked my bra, tossing it into the grass. He licked and teased my belly before sliding down my leggings and panties. He unbuttoned his shirt and added it to the pile, and then wiggled out of his cargo shorts. He collapsed on top of me, his lips falling to my breasts as his hand moved between my legs.
My pussy was wet and aching for him. Asher bit down hard on my nipple and slid two fingers inside me. I cried out, arching my back off the mattress and my body into his touch. He slid his tongue up my neck and to my earlobe while his fingers probed deeper and his thumb circled my clit.
“Oh, Asher,” I moaned, turning my lips to his neck. I cradled his head in my hands and kissed a path to his earlobe. His fingers stroked my G-spot and I clenched my legs around his hand.
I reached down and found his rigid cock. He took in a sharp breath of air as I gave it a long, firm stroke. He stroked me back harder and my entire body shuddered with release.
“I want you,” I begged him, the waves of my orgasm still washing over me. “Right now… please.”
Asher positioned himself between my legs and drove his cock inside me. I gushed, the second orgasm so close to the first I couldn’t tell where one started and the other began. Asher rocked into me harder, spurred by my ecstasy.
“Oh God, Lauren,” he groaned as I bucked beneath him.
“Your cock feels so amazing,” I moaned, wrapping my arms around his chest. I pulled the full weight of him down on top of me, desperate to have him as close as possible. He slowed his hips and covered my mouth with his.
“I feel like I’m crushing you,” he said, lifting himself with his elbows.
“Roll over,” I exhaled through heavy breaths.
I’d never felt so full, so on fire with passion. Asher rolled onto his back, pulling me on top of him. I planted my feet on the air mattress, rising and falling on his cock as he took my breasts in his mouth again. He pinched my nipple between his lips and I felt a third wave build deep inside me.
“Oh my God, I’m going to come again,” I warned.
Asher gripped my hips and thrust upward. “Come with me, baby,” he groaned.
I opened my eyes and watched his roll back in his head. His hot seed exploded inside me, joined quickly by the juices of my release. My legs went numb and I felt my body waver. Asher wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest.
“That gets more amazing every time we do it,” he observed after we’d recovered.
“It certainly does,” I agreed with a grin. I sat up and tossed him his shorts.
“I worked up an appetite. Why don’t we eat and then see if we can outdo ourselves again?”