“Am I that obvious?”
“Bro, it’s painted all over your face.” He chuckles. “Can I just say I’ve never seen you so happy?”
I know. I have that feeling too. What I had with Caroline was nothing compared to my relationship with Ash. “It’s weird to move on but she makes me happy.”
“And you piss her off.” He laughs out loud. “I like her. Denise said she punched Royal because he was trying to take her to the hood rather than the clinic.”
I can’t help but laugh. “She’s reckless and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”
“It depends, being Harrison’s daughter I think he made sure to teach her some self-defense.”
“She knows it and also knows how to handle a gun.” I grin seeing his surprised face. “I wanted to prove her being alone may be dangerous and Blue helped me, but she managed to surprise both of us.”
“Princess is doing you good, Prez.”
Yeah, in more than one way.
We browse through the stores, seeking something that captures the essence of my love for her. Eventually, we find something unique, symbolizing my fiery love that merges with Ash’s strength.
The day takes a dark turn when I receive an urgent call, a knot forming in my gut. Rushing to the clubhouse, I find Harrison there, a pensive look etched on his face.
“What happened?”
“Ashley…” Harrison’s choked voice makes my heart stop.
“Where is she?” I shout. Blood is racing in my veins. When I left, she was heading to the gym in our Clubhouse.
“They took her.” I have no idea who said it but my vision blurs and I grip on my desk. Fuck, it can’t be happen again. Not to her.
“Prez?” Denise's voice shakes me.
“When?”
“Between 3 and 5 pm.” Mac’s voice is a mere whisper.
“Are you fucking kidding me? It’s 6 pm and no one knows anything?”
Harrison shows me the pen drive. “This was delivered to me ten minutes ago.” When he called me.
I give it to Mac who starts to scan it. “She left Totally Ink around five p.m.”
“What? Who was with her?”
“She was alone,” Mac confesses.
I pin him to the wall. “And you let her go away alone? You haven’t called back-up?”
He struggles to break free. “I did call them, but she took off right away.”
“Who the fuck were supposed organize the shifts and who’s at the gate? Why did they let her out alone?”
“Calm down, Prez…” Royal dares to pull my arm.
My fist meets his face within a second, making him land flat on the floor. “Calm down?” I grab his collar. “How the fuck you dare…”
“Rock!” Mac’s voice snaps me from my fury.
“I’m sorry, Prez.” Royal mumbles.