I look down at Asher, his earlier anger washed away, and he’s looking up at me with something close to shocked pride.
“His memory will never be anything short of miraculous. Asher, baby, he doesn’t need this vengeance in the way that you have planned. You don’t need to kill another man to make this wrong right. Make him pay, suffer, and spend the rest of his days locked in a cell with no hope of ever seeing the outside again. I’m begging you, baby. I don’t want our son to lose another father. We need you,” I stress.
I pat Maddox’s hands, letting him know that I’m ready to get down. He easily lifts me off the table and gently places my feet on the floor. I turn, give him a brief hug, and turn back to Asher. I walk as close as I can, or as close as my belly will allow, placing both of my palms on his chest and looking up into his sad face.
“I would never be able to give you up without a fight, Asher. I told you a long time ago that I’m with you every step of the way, but I need you to understand me and why I feel the way I do about this. This is about so much more than giving your brother peace. You need to look at the bigger picture. If you go through with this, you’re not only risking your life, but each one of these men who stand with you. Whether they agree with you or not, you know they would follow you into the depths of hell. And if that happens, there are a lot more people than just me who stand to lose their persons.” His eyes flash, comprehension finally dawning within. “I need you, they need you, Zac needs you. And as much as it pains me to say this, whatever you decide, I will do my best to be the strength you need to ensure that you have everything needed to make it happen. You and me, baby. It’s you and me.”
I can hear the others moving around us. Their chairs are rolling back to the table and they’re sitting back. The energy that was going wild just moments before is now sober. I continue to hold Asher’s gaze, pouring all my love into this look. He closes his eyes, drops his forehead to mine, and lets out a rushed breath.
“I hear you, Sunshine.” He turns back to the room, moving his chair back to the table and taking a seat. He pulls me into his lap and places his hand on my belly before addressing the men silently waiting. “We call Robert with the ATF, get with Mitchell over with DEA, and I’ll call Stan with the FBI. Let’s make sure Dominic Murphy goes down . . . and pays for a long fucking time.”
I let the tension leave my body, and the mammoth amount of fear, anxiety and pain washes out in one big rush. I collapse back on Asher, his arms tightening around me, and I say a silent prayer that everything is going to be okay.
I look over at Maddox moments before my eyes close and the stress of the situation bleeds from my body. He meets my gaze, gives me a nod and a warm smile.
His approval that I did the right thing.
Yes, everything is going to be just fine.
I close my eyes, my head resting against Asher’s chest, his heartbeat thumping against my ear. The voices around me—making plans and finalizing decisions—lull me into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER 30
Chelcie
Things started rolling quickly after that. When they made the calls they needed to make—and showed the heavy evidence that Asher had collected against Dominic—it was a whirlwind of crazy. It seemed like hundreds of men ascended on our small town.
Asher and all of the guys seem to live in the office. I overheard Izzy telling Dee that Maddox has even been sleeping a few nights there between his computer searching. Asher makes a point to come home each night; I think he needs it just as much as I do. But either way, I’m happy that his arms are wrapped tight around me when I drift off.
Sway called an emergency meeting today, so I’ve been waiting for Dee to swing by and pick me up before we head over to the salon. It’s the Thursday before the big meet is supposed to happen, and the guys are spending a few more hours in the office going over last-minute business. I know Asher is struggling with his decision, but I also know that he’s made the right one, and I’ll do my best to help him come to terms with that.
“How are you today, Ms. Avery?” Joe asks when I step into the lobby. Dee just called saying that she was ten minutes away and to “be ready so we don’t miss the show.”
“I’m doing well, Joe. Thank you for asking. How are you doing? Anything exciting happening in the building?”
“Oh, just the same old same old. We got a few new renters—one right on your floor and some on the lower floors. Had a dog steal Mrs. Marks’s wig right off her head the other day. Never thought I would see the day that woman ran after something,” he laughs.