Page 27 of Blood
When I get out of the car, he leans over and speaks through the passenger window, like he did when he picked me up. “Be safe, okay?”
It’s reassuring to know that there are still good people in the world. Maybe not many, but they’re out there.
I give him a wave in response. He pulls into traffic, then I can’t see the car as it gets lost in the commotion of New York City drivers. I give it a few minutes anyway, just to make sure he’s out of sight, then start walking toward the address I have memorized.
21
Asher
Ipacearoundmyapartment. The massive loft is owned by the Kings of Blood. If I don’t clean up this mess, I’ll be back to living on the streets.
I quicken my steps on the dark flooring. The story is all over the news now. You can’t see Everleigh’s face in the video they released, but anyone who knows her will be able to tell. I need to find her before the cops do.
I cross to the kitchen and pull out a crystal tumbler, filling it halfway with scotch, then taking a large swig. The burn as it goes down my throat is exactly what I need to focus on right now. I top it off before returning the bottle of Glenlivet to the liquor cabinet.
Everything was under control up until a year ago. I was rising through the ranks of the Kings to where I am now, third in command, with my finger on the pulse of everything. The money was secondary to the power.
To have both and to know that I’m so close to losing them…
I realize I’m gripping the glass so tight it’s about to shatter. I breathe in through my nose, forcing my fist to loosen on the tumbler. I take another sip as I step over to the main window. The massive glass pane—floor to ceiling—and its view was the selling point of this penthouse. I love being able to look out over the city. It gives a sense of power, of being so far above everything. People. The law. I rest my forearm against the glass, leaning into it as I take another swig of the alcohol.
There’s a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” I call. I don’t bother to move from my spot.
“It’s me,” a timid voice says in return.
Everleigh?
So, she is alive. And here, apparently. How the fuck does she even know where I live?
I stride across the huge open-concept living room and swing the door open. She’s standing there in baggy clothes, a t-shirt and shorts that look like they were borrowed from a man. The thought that she’s been with some guy makes my blood boil. Her face is free of makeup, making her look younger than her twenty-two years.
She pushes past me into the apartment before I can say a word.
I close the door and turn to face her. She’s pacing back and forth, the mirror image of what I was doing just minutes ago. We really are more similar than people would think.
“Asher, you’re in danger. Someone set me up. It’s not safe. I tried to do the job, but someone was there, and the Kings were behind it. I don’t know more. We have to go somewhere, stay safe, away from all of this.” She pauses and takes in the vast penthouse for the first time. “This is your place?” The confusion in her voice is underscored with jealousy. I know exactly how she’s been living the past year, and it’s not in the lap of luxury.
She’s not looking at me; she’s looking around my apartment. It’s lavishly decorated, with high-end furnishings. The open-concept layout makes it appear bigger than it is. She seems mesmerized by the whole thing. So much so that she doesn’t see my expression.
So she’s shocked when I start laughing.
“Asher, what’s going on?” She finally turns to look at me, her brow furrowed.
“I’m not in danger, Everleigh.”
She tilts her head, her face still scrunched up in confusion.
“You are.”
Everleigh is tied to the bed. I shoved her panties in her mouth after I took off her shorts and stuck a piece of duct tape over it, for lack of a better gag. She’s spitting mad, but she’s not going anywhere.
I walk around her slowly, taking my time. She pulls at the ropes holding her arms and legs in place. She fought me while I tied her up, but she had no chance. I’m bigger and stronger.
She’s mine to toy with now.
“Mmmm!” Her cries are muffled behind the tape.
