Page 24 of Roped in Chaos
“Mmm hmm,” I respond.
“So a few nights ago when you got super drunk…”
I stiffen at his comment. I didn’t realize I was that drunk around him. I don’t remember most of the night. Just him there with tequila and red pepper noodles.
“Yes…”
“Well, you mentioned dying. And someone possibly wanting to kill you?”
Oh fuck. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, did I really say something to him? I shoot up, tears already welling in my eyes.
“Fuck, Ash, please don’t say anything to anyone. I…I don’t want you to get hurt too. Please.” I’m sobbing. and he reaches for me. I go with him, and he pulls me into his chest.
“Shhh,” he soothes. “I can help, Princess. Please just tell me.”
I take some deep breaths and try to calm myself. I can’t keep telling him shit, but he already knows some of it so maybe he can try to help me.
“Okay,” I breathe out. I take a few more hiccupy breaths before I’m ready to continue. I pull out my phone so I can start at the beginning.
“Okay, I got really drunk the night Daddy was killed. I don’t remember anything, but later after I was already at Hannah’s house, I found this.” I pull up my phone and show him the picture. He clenches his jaw and squeezes my phone tighter as he zooms in on the picture. I continue with my story as he keeps zooming in and out, like it will somehow change what he sees.
“So obviously, I wasn’t supposed to say anything to anyone, and I called the cops. So I talked to a lawyer, got a hotel, and then came here right after the funeral.”
He hands my phone back to me and wipes a tear that is rolling down my cheek. His hand cradles my cheek, and I lean into it.
“And now I’ve told you, so you’re at risk. I was supposed to get my inheritance once I was here for a couple of months, and then I was going to leave it all behind and move to Brazil or something. And now I’m really really sad because I have to leave you three weeks early.”
He chuckles. “Brazil?”
I look at him with no expression on my face. “Out of all of that…all you got was Brazil…”
“No no.” He laughs again. “I just thought it was funny. But in all seriousness, I take care of those I care about, and I care about you, Princess.” He caresses my cheek with his thumb, and I enjoy the sentiment.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you. I’ll fucking kill them if they try, okay?”
“Ash—”
“No. You’re not gonna get hurt over something stupid. Also, you’re not leaving me any sooner than you have to. I’m just starting to like you, ya know.” He nudges me with his shoulder, and I dramatize the movement.
“I guess I’ve learned to kinda like you too,” I relent.
He wraps his arm around me, and I cuddle into the pocket that’s formed for me. The smell of grass, clean soap, and something masculine is comforting.
“Hey, Ash?” I say.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. You always make me feel safe.” I lean up and kiss his cheek. There’s a red mark from my tinted ChapStick, and I smirk to myself. I could wipe it off, but I like the feeling of marking him.
He turns to me, and we stare at each other. The tension builds between us, and I feel like I can’t breathe. It’s suffocating being this close to him and wanting him so badly but knowing I can’t have him. My eyes keep being drawn towards his lips, and I feel like I’ve stopped breathing.
“Fuck it,” is the last thing I register before he kisses me.
Chapter20
Seein’ Red
Asher
