Page 24 of Crash
“I’ve got him, Linc,” Ryan said, assuming the position as Cole lay down and flexed his fingers around the bar. Ryan didn’t have any tattoos, but he was as ripped as Cole and just as severe looking with his crew cut.A pair of numbskulls if I ever saw ‘em.
Shaking my head, I leaned back against the wall and watched Cole struggle. Letting him fuck up was part of the process, so said Ash, but it was my job to make sure the shit didn’t break his neck or collapse a lung when he couldn’t hack it. When they stopped a minute later and went down five like I’d suggested, I kept my mouth shut.
Glancing up as I caught sight of Ash approaching across the mats, I said, “Hey.”
“How’s the kid going?” he asked, watching the two fucking stooges bench press.
“Cole lacks discipline,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I know, but he’s getting there.”
“He reminds me of you,” I retorted, poking the beast.
“Must be why I like him so much.” Ash laughed, mimicking my stance. ”Listen, Ren and I are going away for a couple of weeks.”
“Yeah? Where to?”
“Thailand.”
I raised an eyebrow, keeping one eye on Ash and the other on Cole, who was still pressing more weight than I liked.
“I wanted to ask you how you felt about taking care of the guys for me.”
“You trust me with the kids?” I asked, grinning lopsidedly.
“Unlike some people in this joint, you’ve got your head screwed on. Just wanted to make sure you were cool with it, considering your shoulder and the AUFC.”
I shrugged. “I’m not going anywhere any time soon.” I’d had another scan and appointment with the physiotherapist the day before and all he’d said was ‘hmmm’, which was doctor code for ‘you’ve got a ways to go yet’. “I’ve got no contractual shit if you’re worried about that. As long as I can keep my appointments with the physio, then I’m good with it.”
“Sweet. You’re a lifesaver.”
“No problem.”
Ash shifted, turning so his back was to the boys. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Violet.”
I stilled, my brow furrowing.
“She had a go at me big time yesterday.”
I knew where this was going, and I wasn’t entirely sure if I was about to be beaten up or not. Should I start running? It wasn’t a secret that Ash was overprotective of his little sister. I was beginning to feel the same way, crush or no crush.
“Listen—” I began, but Ash held up his hand.
“It was my fuck up,” he said somberly. “It wasn’t my place to tell you guys in the first place, regardless of my standing or not.”
Whatever had happened to Violet had changed her beyond recognition. I knew the basics after Ash had let us in on it,which[CS1]hadn’t been his choicesinceit was that or be forced apart fromRen. He choseRen, of course, but at the expense of letting his and Violet’s secret out into the open.
“It never even crossed my mind to discuss it with anyone,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “It’s none of my business.”
“And that’s why I want to ask you to keep an eye out for her.”
I drew in a deep breath.Ash asking me to watch out for Violet?Hell had frozen over and gotten ice skates.
“She’s afraid, mostly,” Ash said. “Trust is hard for her, especially when she has to place it in a man.”
“I get it.” I wished I didn’t have to.
“She likes you,” he went on. “That’s the only reason I’m asking you this. Violet thinks she can handle it now that she’s had time to settle in here, but it’s not a fix.”
