Page 53 of Asher

“The diner on the corner of Seventh and Main.”

“Okay. Be there in ten minutes.” And with that, I heard running and then the sound of motorcycles coming to life.

He was breathing heavily when he said, “I gotta let you go so I can get to you. But are you safe?”

I looked down at my bare feet, wiped the tears from my eyes, and nodded, “Yeah, I think so.”

“Okay, Doll Baby, be there in ten. Just hang on for me. And Chloe, whatever you need to do to keep breathing, you fucking do it. Do you understand me?”

I nodded, “Yeah, Asher.”

And with that, he hung up.

Pulling the phone from my ear, the woman who had approached me looked to be a few years older than me, and when I read her nametag, it readLeighton.

“Are you okay, hon?” She had stunning red hair that was tied back in a braid and the bluest eyes I had ever seen.

I almost wanted to ask her if they were contacts.

But after everything that had happened, I just didn’t think I had it in me. Instead, I shook my head, “No. But I will be.’

She nodded, smiled softly, then asked, “Do you need me to call the cops?”

I shook my head, “No. I have someone on the way. But thank you.”

She nodded, “Okay, well, how about we get you up on a stool and a cup of coffee? Your feet look a mess.”

I nodded, gratefully.

With a warm cup of coffee in my hands, I kept my eyes trained on the door, making sure I didn’t see him.

After I inhaled a much-needed breath, that was when I felt it.

The rumble from the motorcycles made the ground shake beneath her feet.

There, in the distance, she saw the headlights.

Uncaring what people were going to say. I wanted to feel safe. And that safety only came with one man.

On the back of that monster bike, there he sat.

I watched as he almost laid his bike down when he brought it to a stop. He was off it and storming toward the diner.

And the moment he opened the door, I carelessly placed the cup of coffee on the counter, dropped to my feet, and winced at the pain, but I didn’t care.

I took off, and when I saw that Asher had luckily braced himself and held his arms out, the moment I reached him, I flung myself into his body.

His arms closed around me as he pulled me into his chest.

His familiar scent of smoke and cedar caused even more tears to pour down my cheeks.

Because it meant one thing.

I was safe.

I buried my nose in his neck, inhaling the scent of safety and home.

Once her tears were done, Asher pulled moved his neck back, then bent it down to take in my features.

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