by Aja Cole
“But that’s not what’s happening. Someone is pissed and wants whatever you have left to share, back.”
“It has to be Vincent. That’s the only answer.” She sighs heavily, and the worried lines on her forehead show her age. “We didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I’m sorry. We thought we had our bases covered.”
I sit back down, so many thoughts running through my mind. It’s amazing how you can see things one way because you’re missing pieces, but when you get them, there’s a whole new picture.
But I can’t just erase years of not feeling like my parents were present or that they wanted me. That’s going to take time, even if I know now that they thought they were protecting me.
“You were cold that day in the hospital.”
“I was scared shitless.” Her brown eyes are earnest, and she lets go of my father’s hand to reach for mine. Hesitantly, I let her have them. “One of my babies, who I had pushed away because I thought it was a good idea, was in a hospital and you looked terrible. I didn’t know what was wrong.”
“Elias, the agent who was here, he told me about you. He told me you knew what happened to Naja and you were covering something up. I thought the worst. I let it get the best of me.”
“God, Nova, I am so sorry.” She presses her lips to my hands, then pulls me into a hug. It’s so out of character that feeling her arms around me is shocking. “We are so sorry.”
Then my dad wraps his arms around both of us, whispering his apologies, and that hot feeling creeps into my chest again. I’m so sick of crying.
I just want Asher to be safe.
“Nova.” The hoarse voice comes from behind me and I jerk out of my parents’ arms, standing so quickly that I almost fall over.
Asher’s standing in the doorway, a smile tipping his swollen lip and dried blood on his face and clothes. One eye is barely open and his face is bruising so much.
“Do me a favor,” he rasps as I walk closer, lips trembling. “This is enough excitement for me for a bit. Let’s be a boring couple.”
I throw myself into his arms.
28
Asher
2 Hours Earlier
My face hurts so badly that I can barely think through the pain.
I know I passed out at some point, but I’ve been up for what I think has been about fifteen minutes. I’ve kept my body limp and my eyes closed.
People talk if they think you can’t hear them. I knew the moment they grabbed me that it had to do with her family, because I don’t have any enemies this dangerous.
You piss off a few guys on the field, trade insults, but nobody’s gonna go through all this trouble over that.
So I try to push through my pain and listen, in case I get out of here and I can give information that’ll help. That’ll end this shit once and for all.
“…soon. Mama should’ve ended this years ago.”
“They weren’t a real liability until now. Now the feds are closing in, and what they have is too dangerous. We’ll all go down.”
“We’re all going down, anyway.” He mumbles before giving a pained yelp. “Fuck, that hurt.”
“Don’t talk like that. It’s defeatist. Our family has been fine this long and we’ll still be fine.”
Their words fade in and out, and I can’t help the pained groan that escapes. My head is throbbing and I can feel blood dripping into my eyes.
Then everything is black again.
And I wonder if I’m going to get a chance to see Nova again after all.
“Asher. Hey, wake up, man. Let me see those eyes.” I blink my eye open, closing it immediately when pain slams through me at the light. “Good, you’re Asher King, right?”
I tell myself to nod my head, but I don’t know if I’m successful. Everything hurts.
“This is Alpha 1. We got him.” I wonder who he’s talking to. “Vitals seem good. We’re heading out.”
He undoes my ties and puts one of my arms over his shoulder. I feel someone else at my other side, supporting me.
“Alright, slow and easy.” We start to move forward, and I try to open my eyes again, this time a little more successful. I can feel that they’re big guys, and from what I heard, not new to this type of stuff.
I feel cool air on my skin before I see that we’re outside, and they help me to a black SUV, helping me inside.
“Nova?” I rasp, clearing my throat.
“We’re taking you home to your woman, man. No worries.” The big blonde dude who asked my name initially hops into the front seat, and for the first time, I notice there’s an automatic strapped to his side.
We pull away and I glance out the window just in time to hear the explosion and see the warehouse burst into flames.
29
Nova
Asher groans and I try to pull back immediately, scared that I hurt him.
“Not a chance.” He holds me tighter, dropping his chin to the top of my head, and I’m glad that my emotions have decided to give me a break and I’m not bawling.
I just feel so much relief. Relief and happiness at seeing him, feeling him, knowing that he’s okay.
“I was scared I was going to lose you for good.” I breathe, burying my face in his chest, taking in his unique, warm smell.
I’m at home when I’m with him.
“Nah, I just wanted to scare you a little. Keep you on your toes.”
“Let me clean those wounds, Asher.” My mom comes up behind me and puts a light hand on my shoulder. Reluctantly, I pull back, guiding Ash to the couch as my mom leaves the room.
If he thinks that her kindness is odd, he doesn’t say anything. Then again, he’s probably hurting too much to register it.
There’s a commotion in the house and I stand, chilled by fear.
Agent Carter bursts into the room, anger all over his face. Behind him are two men that I don’t know, but they’re big.
Big, in all black, and with ominous weapons at their sides. Somehow, they remind me of Naja.
“You know him?” I can only say that he looks like what I imagine a big, blonde Viking would.
“Uh, yes? Who are you?”
“Friends of your sister. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He nods his head in greeting, then crosses large arms and gestures to the guy standing on the other side of the door. “I’m Kane, that’s Trev. We brought your boy home.”
Trev waves a hand in greeting, and I wave back, feeling a little silly.
“Thank you,” I say sincerely, then swing my eyes back to Elias. “You don’t look like you’ve had a good night.”
“I had to get through these big buffoons at your door, and your sister botched my fucking investigation.” He runs a frustrated hand through his dark hair, shaking his head. “She blew it up. She blew up the whole damned facility.”
“I’m guessing it was important?”
“There’s no telling what was in there, and now we get to dredge through what’s left, which I could’ve avoided if your sister didn’t think she was the female Rambo.”
Hell, for all I know, she is.
“I’m sorry,” I offer, and my mom comes back with a first aid kit, sitting next to Asher and turning his face to the light.
“Thank you for everything, though.”
He looks at me and his face softens. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect Asher better.”
“He’s safe now, that’s all that I care about. And I know my parents a little better, after 24 years.”
“Pretty good outcome today, then.”
I look at my mom being tender and soft towards the man I love, nodding. “I’d say so. What are you going to do now? Do you have the drives?”
“Your sister is in the wind with them, and I’m guessing these guys aren’t going to be very forthcoming about where she is.”
“Nope,” Kane speaks up, a smirk on his face.
“So I’ll find her my damn self.”
“I’m sure you will.” I watch him, raising a
n eyebrow. He meets my gaze, mouth twisting.
“What was that tone for?”
“What tone?” I widen my eyes.
He eyes me suspiciously, shaking his head. “I think I’m going to regret meeting your family.”
“Really? But we’re so charming and delightful.” I laugh.
Elias rolls his wide shoulders, eyes intense. “Be safe, Nova. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
“Hopefully in much better circumstances. Like in passing at a sex club, maybe.”
He gives me a look that makes something that’s not supposed to flutter, flutter. I’m in love, not dead, okay? The man is lethal.
“Do me a favor, if you hear from your sister, tell her I’m coming for her.”
I smirk, nodding. “I will.”
“Stay safe, kid.”
“You, too.” He turns away and walks out of the door, but not before giving a certain finger to Kane and Trev. They just grin and then go back to being silent giants.
I step up behind Ash, laying my hands gently on his shoulders. My mom is still cleaning his face, swabbing some ointment on a cut above his eye.
He looks a little better now that there aren’t streaks of blood, but still, a little worse for wear.
Bruises heal, though. That’s what I’ll keep reminding myself.
I also keep mulling over what my mom said. If they were giving information to the authorities, why didn’t Elias know that, since he claims to be FBI?
I never saw a badge or any credentials.
But he did help me, he helped us, so whatever his secrets are—I hope that he doesn’t turn out to be an enemy after all.
“Thank you for loving my baby the way you do, Asher. We made some choices that weren’t the best, in hindsight. But I’m glad that she always had you,” my mom murmurs, a tear clinging to her lashes. “So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he responds quietly and I sit on the arm of the chair, wrapping my arm around him and pressing a kiss to the side of his head. He sighs and leans into me.
I send up a prayer to whoever’s listening.
Thank you for bringing him home safe to me, and please bring Naja back to me safely too.
My father stands just behind my mother, a concerned look on his face as he peers at Asher.
“I thought Vince would be a problem, but I didn’t think it would come to this.”
“I don’t think I heard a Vince.” Asher winces as my mom dabs an antibacterial over his lip.
“You heard a name?”
“Yeah.” He pauses, like he’s thinking. “Frances.”
Epilogue
Nova
2 months later
“Whatcha doing?”
Gemma jumps when I creep up behind her, covering her phone screen with her hand and staring at me with wide, deep blue eyes.
“Oh my God, Nova.” She puts a dramatic hand to her chest. “You gave me a fright.”
“Don’t play Scarlett O’Hara with me. What are you hiding? Who are you hiding?” I stare her down, taking in the flush staining her cheeks, almost the same color as her red lip stain.
Mhm. Gave her a fright. I bet I did, especially if she’s talking to the same guy that the girls and I have explicitly told her to stay away from.
He’s bad news, and I can’t prove it yet, but I just know. I haven’t even met the man yet, but my instincts are strong.
She straightens in her seat, going on the defensive. “Now listen, I know that y’all claim that there’s something off about Rex.”
“Well, his name is Rex, so…” I frown. I’m only half-joking.
“I hate to be that girl that says he’s different and misunderstood and you don’t know him, but you don’t, okay? I’ve known him for years and now that he’s out of j—,” She stops herself, a guard falling in her eyes.
“Excuse me, did you say he just got out of jail?”
“You have to trust my judgement, Nova,” she says firmly, and I open my mouth to protest, but she puts a manicured hand up. “I’m a grown woman. If it’s a mistake, I will deal with the consequences. Got it?”
I pout, not happy about it, but I understand where she’s coming from.
“I just don’t want you to get into anything you’ll regret.” I throw an arm around her shoulder, hugging her into my side just as Riley and Tara come up. Tara’s visiting from LA for a bit. Her cocoa brown skin and short cap of honey blonde curls are a stark and striking contrast to Riley’s fair, creamy skin and red hair. I just shot Tara’s first cover for Vanity Fair, and I’m so proud of my friend.
“You two look way too serious, clearly you need more alcohol.” Riley smiles, thrusting shot glasses at both of us. Gemma and I table our discussion, though I’d at least like to know a little more about the situation, but I’ll save that for later.
In the background, a few of the players are giving a raucous rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” on the karaoke stage, a few beers in. It’s quite amusing, and I have a video from earlier of Asher, Jax, and Chris doing their best to imitate Destiny’s Child in the “Cater 2 U” video.
It’s been a fun night, that’s for sure.
Tara passes the other shot she’s holding to Riley, and Gemma and I hold up the small glasses to theirs.
“A small toast to good friends and fun times,” Gemma says, and we raise them, then throw them back. The smooth burn of tequila never gets old, and I shake my head, breathing out.
“Mmm, a little edge, my favorite,” Riley purrs, and we laugh. I love this girl, and if it wasn’t for her, maybe Asher and I would’ve taken a lot longer to find each other again.
Okay, we definitely would’ve taken a lot longer without Riley. Trust me, she’s not letting us forget it.
I don’t mind it, though. She tried to tell both of us, but we were both just too scared of rejection.
Life has changed a little bit since Naja’s surprise appearance. For one, my parents visit Atlanta regularly, and I see them often. We have dinners, and Asher’s dad and his new girlfriend have joined us, too.
It’s nice to see Mr. King opening himself up to a new relationship. Ash visited his mom Gracie’s grave for the first time in years for her birthday, and I went with him.
He shared stories that I hadn’t heard before, and I thanked her for giving Ash such a loving foundation.
I haven’t seen Naja, but I know she’s out there being a badass, and I have faith that I’ll see her again soon.
Just finally having the closure of knowing that she’s okay has been enough.
Things have been quiet otherwise. I guess since my parents don’t have the drives anymore, they’re not as much of a threat. I think Naja has embedded herself with the Delanos, and is somehow influencing them to leave things alone.
Kane and Trev, the guys she sent to help Asher, check in every so often. They claim that they’re just attached to us, but I know Naja has them on guard.
It’s not a 100% normal life, but it’s close enough for me.
“So, are you drunk enough to sing for me, yet?” I ask Gemma, and she gives a sheepish smile, shaking her head.
“I’m a bartender and a former sorority girl, remember? I’d need a bottle before I even felt a thang.”
“Well, I guess you’re singing sober.” I knock her hip with mine. “Please? Pretty please?”
Tara and Riley join in on the pleases and Gemma laughs, throwing up her hands.
“Alright, fine, now shut your yaps already.” She rolls her eyes, moving towards the stage just as the guys leave after their terrible singing.
Gemma talks with the sound guy at the edge of the stage, whispering something, and he nods and hops up, moving behind the wings.
We’re at a bar that used to be a jazz bar. Now it’s more of fun karaoke place with a really relaxed atmosphere and a makeshift dance floor.
To my surprise, the guys roll out a piano and I glance at the girls.
“Uh, did you two know she played?”
Our friendship is still relatively new, even though it feels like I’ve known her forever.
She adjusts the mic to a good position as she takes a seat on the piano bench, and everyone in the room quiets because I think we all know that this is going to be something a lot different than tipsy athletes.
We’re having an informal get together, just to hang out with friends and enjoy the downtime before the guys get busy with their pre-season schedule.
“Hey everyone, my name is Gemma and I’ll be singing a song by Kiana Ledé called ‘I Choose You’.”
A beautiful melody fills the room, and then Gemma’s voice joins in, blending seamlessly.
Your smile, your voice
Creeps inside my heart with everything you do
I have no choice
Loving you is all that I know how to do
Well, I’ll be damned.
Gemma does more than just sing in the shower.
I listen to the words of the song, and it fills my heart.
Even when your head was heavy
You were still holding me up
Even when you were in pieces
You still hold me together
I’m so engrossed that I jump when Asher comes up behind me, sliding his hand into mine. I turn my head to him.
“Hey, you,” I say lightly.
“Dance with me.” He starts tugging me in front of the stage and I dig my heels in a little, trying not to make a scene but still resist.
“What? No.” I giggle, disbelieving.
“Yes.” Not taking no for an answer, he uses his considerable size to pull me with him. Taking my hands and wrapping them around his neck, he rests his hands on my hips, suspiciously close to my ass.
“There’s no room for Jesus,” I mutter, and he hugs me even tighter to his strong body, a wicked smile on his handsome face.
“Good, three’s a crowd.”