Ashes to Ashes, page 21
She cut me off, “He did do it, didn’t he?”
“No,” I lied through my teeth, knowing she wouldn’t believe that it was an accident.
“Then, why is it so hard to tell me how it happened?”
“Because you stepped over the line, accusing the person I love the most in the world of such a horrid thing.”
“You love him so much that you’ll allow him to hit you?”
“He didn’t hit me! Stop making things up!”
“Then why are you avoiding telling me how you go that bruise, L?”
“It was an accident. Simple as that.”
“There are a lot of ways one can hurt themselves by accident, yet I’m not hearing anything other than that generic word so many abused women use.”
I let out a frustrated yell, wanting to throttle the infuriating woman.
“L,” she said, “I’m only confronting you about this because I care. I won’t stand by while a friend get hurts.”
“We’re not friends anymore, Monica, and even if we were, we wouldn’t be after you accused my partner of battery.”
“L, you really shouldn’t cover for him. I know what he’s like.”
“How is that possible when you don’t even know him?”
“I’ve read about him, about how violent he is, also what his father and stepfather did to his mother. Please don’t let that happen to you.”
I gasped, shocked that she’d snooped into Ash’s past, especially his family history. “He’s nothing like his father, and especially not his stepfather. That man hurt him beyond words. It’s cruel to even bring him up.”
“I understand that Ash has had a hard life, but it doesn’t give him the right to take it out on you.”
“He’s done no such thing!”
“So, he hurt you unintentionally?”
“He hasn’t hurt me at all!” I snapped, now even angrier with her. “And no matter how you word it, you can’t get me to admit to something that hasn’t happened. I would also appreciate it if you stopped turning up at my place of work. This is bordering on harassment.”
“I’m not harassing you, L, you rang me, plus your place of work is the same as mine. Jade employed me to do a video for one of his other acts.”
I didn’t reply, not sure whether to believe her.
“You can ask him if you don’t believe me,” she said, voicing my thoughts. “I have nothing to hide, unlike Ash, but I’ll drop it for now because I don’t like upsetting you. Contrary to the way we parted, I still care for you, L. If you need to talk about anything, I’m here for you.”
I remained quiet, her words sounding sincere. I just wished she understood there was nothing to be concerned about.
She sighed. “Keep safe, L. That’s all I want.” She hung up.
I pocketed my phone, wishing things could’ve been different with her. I’d liked her, wished we could’ve stayed friends, our interests similar, but now that would never happen. She’d crossed a line, which meant I needed to talk to Jade about not hiring her again.
I opened my door, intent on dealing with the issue straight away but instead froze, dumbstruck by who was standing only a few feet away from me.
Ant Torres.
My rapist.
19
ASH
Joel swore. “Fuck, I wish I’d sold it, but it’s such sweet bass, plus I didn’t think anyone would recognise it since I swiped it in Oz.”
“Well, they did, you fuckin’ klepto,” I growled, having told him everything that L had said. “So, give the bloody thing to L along with everything else you stole.”
“I can’t, I sold that shit to pay my way to NZ.”
“Then, write down what you took. L said she’ll cover the costs.”
He raised a pierced brow at me. “Why?”
“Cos you saved her life, though, I won’t let her cover your costs again.”
His face lit up. “She’ll really pay for it all?”
“That’s what she said, and L’s as good as her word.”
“Sweet! I’ll write it up tonight.”
“Just avoid L’s new bassist. It’s her brother you stole from.”
“Man, it’s a fuckin’ small world, eh? Still, can’t complain if L’s payin’. Maybe she can pay for the bass too.”
“No.”
“C’mon, man,” Joel whined. “You’ve gotta admit it sounds great.”
“Jade can get you another one.”
“Nah, I want this one,” Joel persisted, lifting up the bass. “Get Jade to give L the money.”
“He’s not your personal bank.”
“He’ll be payin’ for a bass either way, plus I’m more than worth the cost. The chicks will be lining up to buy tickets to our concerts cos of me.”
I snorted out a laugh.
“They will!” He pumped out his chest. “I’m a chick magnet, can get pussy whenever I want. My last band wuz shit but the chicks still came cos they were hot for me.”
“How’s your tonsils?” I sniggered.
He gave me a confused look. “What?”
“Your head’s so far up your arse I betcha can see ’em,” I said, cracking up.
He punched me in the arm. “Don’t take the piss outta me, you cunt, I’m dead serious. I’ll have ’em lining up like that hot li’l number with the scar. She kept lookin’ back at me like she wanted to choke down my dick.”
My laughter finally dried up, annoyed he was back to disrespecting Josie. “More like she wanted to kick you in the nuts.”
“No! I betcha a hundred bucks she’ll be spreading her legs for me in no time.”
“You’ve been smoking too much pot, man, cos you’re clearly seein’ shit that ain’t there. She wuz glaring at you, not lookin’ like she wanted to ride your pecker, plus I thought you were gettin’ back with Lavinia,” I said, dishing out a bit of reality.
His face soured. “Why did’ja hafta go and mention her? She’s the one who took off, leaving me high and dry without a word, taking my kid. And now I know she’s safe in Taranaki, fuck her, she can take a flying leap. I can fuck whoever I like until she returns, cos I ain’t with her until she fronts up. I’m still officially single.”
I rolled my eyes, Joel just wanting to fuck Josie. “Whatever, it’s your biz.”
“You’re damn right it is,” he said, strumming his fingers across the bass, looking like he was in love with the thing.
My phone started ringing, yanking my attention away from Joel. I answered it with a, “Kia ora, L,” noticing her number.
Crying came over the line, making me stiffen.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, now worried.
“He’s here, he’s here,” she cried.
“Who’s here?”
“Ant’s outside my office.”
My eyes widened. “I’m comin’!” I barked at Joel, “Ant’s after L.”
I was out of that studio lounge and running for the stairs whiplash fast, the sound of pounding boots following me, telling me that Joel had my back. I raced up the staircase, not willing to wait for the lift, just needing to get to L as quick as possible. Joel swore behind me, calling Ant every name under the sun, my mate knowing exactly what Ant had done to L as well as me. The bastard had tried to rape me too, tried being the operative word, because he hadn’t been prepared for me to fight back as hard as I had, almost killing him in the process.
I burst through the doorway and into the next corridor, racing down it to the reception area that fronted L’s office. And that was when I saw the bastard. Ant turned as I neared him, raising a dark eyebrow at me. He was flanked by two men even bigger than the motherfucker himself, and Ant was big, all muscle, a six-foot-four rapist I wanted to cut down to size.
One of the men stepped in front of Ant as I surged forward, stopping me in my tracks, a gun in one’s face doing that. Joel banged into the back of me, swearing his head off. I ignored my mate, my sole focus on my enemy.
“What the fuck are you doin’ ’ere?!” I hollered at Ant, wanting to finish off what I’d started, to make sure he didn’t wake up this time.
The bastard stepped forward, looking so fucking pleased with himself it made my fists itch all the more. But they stayed by my side, the gun keeping me in check.
“I saw the news article about you and Llewellyn,” Ant said, drawing her birth name out. “I always knew you had a thing for my boy.”
“L is not your boy, you sick fucker!”
Ant smiled, his teeth whiter than white. He looked like a shark parading as a CEO, his fancy as fuck suit clashing with his brutish features. “Yes, I see he’s more of a she now. Pity, he was so beautiful as a boy, while you, Ash,” his eyes swept over my body, “you’re not my typical type, but I don’t think my dick cares, and since you’re bi now, how about you come ride it?” He ran a hand over his crotch, pursing his lips at me.
I raised my own hands without thinking, really wanting to kill the bastard. The gorilla with the gun cocked it, forcing me to lower them.
“You’re under home detention,” I growled, still needing to say my piece. “You can’t be ’ere. You’ll get thrown into prison, where you belong.”
Ant glanced down at his suit, brushing something off it even though there was nothing there. He raised his gaze a moment later and smiled, so smarmy, so unconcerned it made my blood boil.
“I’ve been let out for being a good boy,” he finally said, his accent different from when we were in high school, the guy putting on fake airs, because he was just as South Auckland as I was. “Or maybe because I have a lot of money, and some judges like that. Or maybe I got bored and bribed a few people so I could visit my boy.”
“L isn’t your boy!”
“You already said that, and actually, I don’t really want him anymore. Or should I say her? She looks too much like a woman now. Not my taste at all, whereas you, Ash.” He placed a hand on the gorilla’s gun, lowering it, the barrel now pointing at my groin. “I enjoyed seeing you get your cock sucked. You’re definitely porn star material. The punters thought so, too. That video of you and Llewellyn made me a rather tidy sum.”
My eyes widened. “What the fuck? But how—” I stopped, already knowing the answer.
Kara!
He laughed. “Looks like you’ve figured out who did the dirty on you.”
“I already knew that bitch wuz behind it.”
“But you obviously didn’t realise she did it for me. How does that make you feel?”
He smirked at me, the prick damn well knowing how I felt about it. Like shit. I knew Kara was low, but not low enough to work for someone like Ant, especially after everything he put her through... I frowned, wondering whether he was blackmailing her like his father had done, threatening her family—
Ant cut that thought off, seeming to read my mind, “I didn’t force Kara to do anything; she came to me with an offer I couldn’t resist. You may not know this, but ever since I met you, I’ve struggled with my feelings for you.”
“What the fuck?” I said, not believing what I was hearing, Kara forgotten. “Don’t make me puke, cos if you tell me you love me, I will.”
He laughed loudly, his eyes lighting up at my response. “You got me totally wrong, Ash, I hate you with a passion. It’s only your looks I love. You can’t imagine how hard it was for me back in high school. It was a nightmare being around you, especially in the locker rooms. I would’ve been crucified if I got caught looking at you, or worse, getting hard while you were changing or showering. So, of course I jumped at the opportunity Kara gave me, satisfying a craving I’ve had ever since I first saw you. I just didn’t expect Llewellyn to be amongst your conquests. By the way, you look beyond hot when you’re horny, so fucking sexy that I wanked to that video multiple times.”
“You sick freak!” Joel snapped, stepping out from behind me.
Ant’s attention shifted to him. “Oh, hello, Joel, I didn’t see your little self hiding behind Ash. But I guess it’s to be expected since you were always in his shadow. Anyway, how are you doing? Long time, no see.”
“Fuck off back to the hole you crawled out of,” Joel growled.
“How about I crawl into your virginal hole, cutie pie?” Ant winked at him.
Joel went to rush forward to attack him. I grabbed him, pulling him back as Ant’s guard shifted the gun his way. Joel yanked free from me, his eyes blazing at Ant.
“Fuck off, Ant!” he barked. “Before I call the cops.”
“Little good it’ll do, appetizer,” Ant said. “I’m actually allowed to be here. I have permission to go to my place of work, and since I bought some shares in Jade’s company, this is technically my place of work, so I can come and go as I please.” His gaze returned to me, sweeping over my body, definitely eye-fucking me.
“You’re lying,” I replied, knowing there was no way in hell Jade would sell shares to Ant, especially not after what Ant had done to L.
“No, Ash, I’m telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” He paused, giving me a smug smile. “Which means I’ll be seeing you again.” He wriggled his fingers at me, then headed for the lift, his bodyguards following like giant shadows.
As soon as they were gone, I went for L’s office, knocking on the door, calling out her name. A click answered, L opening up for me. Her eyes were filled with tears, her face splotchy from crying.
“Is he gone?” she asked, staring up at me with big, frightened eyes.
“Yes.”
She flung herself at me, bursting into a fresh bout of tears. I hugged her tight, wanting to do nothing but protect her. Then I was walking her backwards, closing the door behind me, what I had to say not for anyone else’s ears.
“I’ll take care of the situation,” I said. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t come anywhere near you again.”
She pulled free from me, her face filled with even more fear. “No, Ash! You can’t go after him. You’ll get yourself killed or thrown into prison.”
“I need to protect you, which I can’t do if he’s got a free pass ’ere.”
She shook her head. “We can tell security not to allow him onto the premises.”
“He has shares in the company.”
She shook her head more vigorously. “Jade wouldn’t allow that.”
“I’m only repeating what Ant told me. It’s the reason why he wuz allowed to come ’ere, cos it’s technically his place of work due to those shares.”
She rushed over to her desk, snatching up her phone, ringing through to Jade without missing a beat. “Jade!” she yelled into the phone. “Does Ant have shares in the company?” She swore, not something L did that often. “Why didn’t you tell me?!” She paused, listening to him. “How can you forget?” Whatever he said next made her yell even louder. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s only a few! Because of them, he can turn up here whenever he wants. Talk to your judge friend, ask his advice, do anything to make sure that Ant doesn’t return or I’m quitting. Yes, Jade! I won’t work here if I have to worry about my rapist turning up at my damn office!”
She slammed the phone down on her desk, her chest heaving, her eyes on me once more. “Jade said he sold Ant some shares a while back, before he’d found out what Ant had done to me. He’d forgotten about them since it was barely a handful, a drop in the ocean. He assured me that Ant won’t be allowed to step inside the building again.”
I sneered, “I can make sure he doesn’t take another step, full-stop.”
L walked up to me, worry once more creasing her brow. “No, Ash, I told you that you can’t go after him.”
“People tell me to do a lot of things, doesn’t mean I hafta do it.”
She grabbed my arms, giving me a stare down, just not pulling it off, her face too angelic to look stern. “Please don’t do anything that could make me lose you.” More tears filled her eyes. “I couldn’t handle it.”
I exhaled and pulled her to me, giving her a tight hug, hating seeing her cry. “Okay, I won’t do anything stupid,” I said, knowing I had to plan this out well, to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes. To do it the smart way, not allowing my anger to fuck things up.
She looked up at me with hope. “Really? You’ll stay away from Ant?”
“Yes,” I lied.
***
Nike was sitting in the chair across from me and Joel in my old apartment the following day, Joel already having shifted his stuff in.
“I cased Ant’s place,” Nike said, looking sombre, the scar on his cheek more noticeable under the bright lounge light. “He’s ramped up his security a shitload since I wuz last there. Every inch of that property is covered by cameras, with guards at the back and front, as well as roaming the grounds. There’s no way we’re gettin’ in there unnoticed. You’d have more chance of escaping Auckland prison than making it into Ant’s place now. And I know why he’s turned it into Fort Knox. It’s cos Murderer and I got through the last time,” he said, referring to an incident where a fellow hitman had tortured Ant due to a false accusation.
“Then, how are we gonna get to the bastard?” I asked, not letting this pass. I didn’t care how much security he had—Ant was going to die.
“We could have someone monitor his property, like the Skins,” Nike said, mentioning a gang my family had connections to. “They can grab Ant when he leaves, disposing of him for you.”
“I wanna finish him off.”
“No problem. They can take him to a secure location, then hand him over. Though, there will pro’bly be collateral damage since Ant’s guards will needa be taken out.”
“Don’t care, as long as Ant dies.”
Nike pushed to his feet. “I’ll make it happen; I just can’t give you a timeframe since it’ll all depend on when Ant leaves his property next. I’ll call you when things go down. Might be tomorrow, might be in a month, or even when his sentence comes to an end. Can’t say, just be prepared for when the call comes, cos once the Skins take him, we can’t keep him alive for long due to the risks involved. Understood?”
I nodded and rose too, shaking his hand in agreement. He was nothing like the boy I’d once knew, the guy not even flinching at the mention of killing Ant. Though, he’d killed Ant’s father, so that was hardly surprising.
