Page 27 of Five Fingers of Death

“I’ll stay with him?—”

“No fucking way?—”

They both said at the same time.

“Seriously? You’re not going to take me in?” Noelle snapped.

“You tried to cut off my balls.”

“You thought I was going to meet your parents!”

“It was a joke!”

I let out a loud whistle, stopping the bickering instantly. “We don’t have time for this. Holly and I have to leave now. Either you’re coming with us or you’re staying, but we have to know now.”

Holly turned to Noelle, her eyes pleading. “You can’t stay. I would be devastated if something happened to you because of me.”

That gutted me. It was because of me she was even in danger. My past life once again came back to haunt me, and it had destroyed her business. How was I ever going to repay her for the damage I had done?

“Fine, I’ll go, but if you start acting like a Hallmark card, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

“I’ll run her home,” Wyatt offered.

I nodded in thanks. “We’ll meet up at her parents’ house in one hour. Bring only the essentials.”

He snorted in amusement, but quickly covered it up. I dragged Holly to the door and down the steps. It didn’t take long to get her in the truck and on the road. “Get your parents on the phone. Tell them we need to leave now. They need to pack.”

“My dad won’t go. You know this.”

“Tell him if he loves you, he’ll leave.”

“Asher—”

I motioned for the phone. I would guilt him into it if I had to. There was no way I was leaving him behind. I kept my eyes on the road as I waited for him to pick up.

“Holly—”

“Carol, it’s Asher. I need you and Nick to pack a bag right now. We have to get out of town immediately. I’ll be there in one hour to pick you up.”

“Asher, what’s going on?”

“Someone came after us. They shot up Holly’s shop. I’m taking us somewhere safe.”

She gasped in horror and her voice shook with terror. “Asher, I’ll never get Nick to leave.”

“Get him on the phone right now.”

I heard her rustling around as she hurried through the house. I glanced at Holly, hoping she wasn’t rethinking her relationship with me. I couldn’t blame her. This was the second time I’d put her in a situation like this.

“Asher, what’s this I hear about leaving?”

“Nick, someone came after us, and they’re not going to stop. I need you to listen to me. You need to pack a bag and come with us. We’ll pick you up in an hour.”

“Ha! You think I’m leaving my home? That’s just what they want. I’m telling you?—”

“Nick!” I snapped. “Now is not the time for your conspiracy theories. If you love your wife and your daughter, you will pack your shit and be waiting for us when we get there. Otherwise, you’ll be dead and they’ll have to bury you. Is that what you want? Do you want them to find you riddled with bullet holes?”

Holly sniffled beside me. I knew I was being harsh and it was hard for her to hear, but I had to get through to him.

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