Page 11 of Ruthless Intent

“Wh-what?”

His head tilts to the side, and he waits, as if expecting me to say something. When I don’t, he sighs.

“Ashley, I’m not stupid. I’ve known who you really are for a long time.” His voice is gentle. “I hoped you’d reach a point where you’d tell me, but I didn’t want to push it until you were ready. It was clear that you wanted to forget about that part of your life.”

“But how?”

His smile is faint. “I caught a news article a couple of years ago. There were photographs of you walking into the court, and the artist images from the case itself. You haven’t changed as much as you think.”

My heart is pounding, my mouth drying up.

If Scott knows, who else does?

I don’t know if he reads my thoughts, or I make some noise, but he answers my silent question.

“I don’t think anyone else has made the connection. So, why are you really going home?”

I lick my lips. “My mom says I should just forget about it and move on with my life.”

“She was Jason’s stepmom, right?”

My nod is jerky. “I can’t explain it, Scott. I just … I need to go home.”

“Maybe it’s for closure.”

“Closure?”

“You left when you were eighteen, didn’t you?” He doesn’t wait for me to reply. “You’ve spent years running from what happened. Maybe now that Ryder has been released, and he’s been cleared, you need to go home and prove to yourself that you’ve moved on.” He reaches out and takes my hand, so he can draw me toward him. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?”

I shake my head. “No. Thank you, though. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I just need to put the old version of me to rest. And to do that, I need to go home.”

He smiles down at me, then presses a kiss to my forehead. “I expect you to call me as soon as you get there.”

“I will.”

“Then let’s get the suitcase in your car, so you can get on your way. I don’t like the idea of you driving in the dark.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.” He releases my hand and steps around me to pick up the suitcase.

I follow him down the hall and out of the front door. My small car is parked a hundred yards down the road. I unlock the trunk before he reaches it, the lights flashing, and trail along behind him. I leave him to put the suitcase in the car, and open the driver door, so I can get in. The car rocks slightly when he slams the trunk closed, then comes to crouch beside the open door, one hand on the roof to balance himself.

“Drive safely, and call me when you get there.”

“I will.”

“If you need me?—”

“Thank you.”

“Ashley, I mean it.”

I lean out so I can kiss his cheek. “I know, and I appreciate it. I do. But I need to do this alone.”

He reaches inside to cup my cheeks, and presses a kiss to my lips, then straightens.

“I love you, Ashley.”

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