Burn(60)
“Have I given you any reason to believe I’m anything but dead serious? He hurt her, Jace. He put bruises on her face. No way in fuck I’m letting it go. She was too scared and shocked to report it. But I’m glad she didn’t because I can make the bastard suffer far more. He would have been out of jail in two seconds, and it’s doubtful anything would have come of it. You know how this kind of shit gets brushed underneath the rug. Especially when you have the money and connections to make it go away.”
“He has all that?” Jace asked.
“Some, yeah. No match for me, though. I’m going to make damn sure he gets the message. Josie is mine and if he ever fucks with her again, he’s a dead man.”
“How is Josie taking all of this?” Jace asked quietly.
Ash paused. “Okay I think. I didn’t really give her time to process much. When I hit her apartment after bailing on dinner Friday night, I didn’t give her any options. I packed her shit up and told her she was moving in with me. It was an asshole move. She needed gentle handling, but I knew if I gave her space she might never come to me. So I pressed my advantage when she was overwhelmed and shaken and I moved in quick.”
A smile quirked the corners of Jace’s mouth. “You? Asshole moves? Aren’t you supposed to be the charming, nice guy? Thought being an asshole was mine and Gabe’s job.”
Ash grimaced. “Why the fuck does everyone think I’m such a laid-back pansy?”
Jace snorted. “Never said that, man. But you’re usually Mr. Polished when it comes to women. Never known you to be off your game.”
“The other women didn’t matter,” Ash said simply. “Josie does. Can’t afford to play it safe with her. Have to press my advantage when I have it.”
Jace took in a long breath, his gaze intently studying Ash. After a moment, Ash shifted uncomfortably underneath his friend’s scrutiny.
“Are you thinking long term here?” Jace asked. “You say she’s different and already I’ve seen just how different you are about her. You’re talking about breaking the law and doing God only knows what to the asshole who beat her up. But just how different are we talking here, Ash?”
“Think about how you felt when you met Bethany,” Ash said in an even tone.
“Shit,” Jace breathed. “Say no more. I get it. And congrats, man. Never thought it would happen for you this fast. You’ve always been so determined to live by our motto, ‘play hard and live free.’”
“Yeah, well, so were you,” Ash said dryly. “And don’t congratulate me yet. Too much shit to sort out, and while I may have Josie where I want her right now, it’s definitely not in the bag.”
“But knowing how I felt about Bethany, and you saying it’s like that? You’re done for, man. If you feel even half what I felt for Bethany in the beginning, this is it for you. And knowing you the way I know you, if Josie is what you want, you’re damn well not going to let her go.”
“Fuck no,” Ash muttered. “If she’s not with me for the long term, it’ll be because she fought me tooth and nail and won. And I don’t lose.”
“You thinking marriage? Absolute commitment? What are we talking here, Ash? I need to know so I can give you shit after all the insults you hurled mine and Gabe’s way when our balls were twisting in the wind over Bethany and Mia.”
Ash flipped up his middle finger. “I don’t know yet. Marriage is a big step. It’s permanent. And it’s too early to be thinking about marriage and babies and shit. All I can focus on is Josie and making sure she’s as into me as I’m into her.”