Page 19 of Wild Card
“I…I can’t tell you,” I admit weakly, looking up and suddenly wishing everything was different. I don’t know who this guy is or where he came from, but he’s got me wanting things I have no business wanting.
“Okay.” He shrugs, his response surprising me. “Just come with me.” He slides his fingers from my wrist into my palm and clenches them between mine. “Please.” There’s a desperation in his voice, and despite knowing that I’m going to regret it, I nod my head and let him lead me out the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Brett barely conscious and looking exactly like Ash promised he would when we spoke in the kitchen this morning.
I shouldn’t leave, I should stay here and try to fix this; continue to do everything I can to secure the secret that would destroy me. But I’ve tried living a lie, and it didn’t work for me. It got way out of hand, and although leaving here with Ash is taking a huge risk, my gut instinct is telling me it's what I need to do.
“You know, folks in town say that if a Royal Bastard puts you on his saddle, you belong to him.” I laugh, touching my fingers to the leather seat when we get to Ash’s Harley.
“That scare ya?” he asks with a much more serious than usual look on his face.
“I…No…It’s just…”
“Relax, I’m playing. Folks in town say lots of crazy-assed shit. Climb on,” he smirks. “You rode on a bike before?” he asks, reaching behind him and taking my hands so he can place them round his middle.
“Never,” I admit.
“Well, you just gotta hold on, real tight,” he explains, clasping my hand tight in his fist and touching it to his chest. “Don’t let go, okay?”
“What about Brett?” I look back over to the open door. Sure, the guy's been an asshole, but we can’t just leave him here.
“We’ll send someone to fix him up, if it’ll make you feel better.” He shrugs as if leaving him half dead isn’t a big deal.
“I just don’t want you getting into trouble. You do know who his father is, don’t you?” I check.
“I know exactly who his father is, and I’m damn sure that he wouldn’t want this whole town knowing that the son he raised thought it would be okay to beat on a woman. I’m not scared of a fucking mayor and his pussy son, Ruby.” Ash looks over his shoulder at me, and I have no reason not to believe him.
“I’m starting to figure out how you got your name.” I smile back at him, ignoring the guilt I feel forming in the pit of my stomach when I think about how I’m going to explain all this to Esmé. Her and Brett never really got on, but he’s still her brother.
I should at least call her and let her know where he is so she can help him.
“I should call Esmé; she can come out here and take him to a doctor.” I make to get off the bike so I can head for Brett’s car and see if my purse is still inside it.
“Wait.” Ash hauls me back. “She’s at the bar, setting up a surprise party for you and yourfiancé,” he scoffs.
“She’s gonna hate me for this.” I release a long, heavy breath, trying not to panic.
This guy is making me feel like we’re Bonnie and fucking Clyde, right now. Esmé has been my best friend since me and Mom arrived in town. I don’t want this to come between us.
“She’s not gonna hate you, not if she’s your best friend. I’ll take ya home, you can sit her down and explain what happened. Let her decide for herself before you go makin’ assumptions."
“Ash, we can’t just leave him here to die,” I tell him.
“You're cute,” he tells me, licking his lips and making me want to kiss them again. “Realfuckin’cute.” He sinks his teeth into the bottom one like he’s holding himself back.
“I’m not trying to be cute, I’m showing a little humanity.” I slap him hard in the back for being so chill about all of this. This may be an everyday life occurrence to him, but it’s not for me.
“Yourex-boyfriend ain’t gonna die, darlin’, but he’s gonna have one helluva headache and some scrapes and bruises. If I wanted him dead…” Ash cuts himself off and smiles darkly. “He’s gonna be fine, and you don’t need to worry about him no more.”
“How can you be sure of that?” I ask. Ash has no idea what hold Brett has over me.
“You're on my saddle, ain’t ya? You’re Royal Bastards' property now, darlin’.” He turns his head and starts up his engine, taking off before I can argue.
NINE
Ash
Itake the longer route back to town, ensuring we come into it from the far end, to the bar, and have to ride through it. I want as many people here to see that she’s mine now. I may not have been in town long, but spending some time in the bar before it closed last night taught me that this town adores her. I can understand why. Ruby is unlike anyone I’ve ever met before, her beauty ain’t just external, it’s her whole fuckin’ aura.
“I thought you used to live here?” She looks at me strangely when I park up outside the bar.
