Page 63 of Lay Me Down
“Please…” I choke out again, tearing my eyes away from the screen to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry… I won’t try it again. Please, don’t hurt them. I’ll do anything…” My voice cracks, and a part of me dies inside for having to bow to a vicious bitch like DeLuca, but I mean it when I say I’ll do anything. My father, as strained as our relationship can be at times, means a lot to me. Ashia is my everything. Our baby already has half of my heart. I won’t be able to live in a world where they don’t exist.
“Anything? Be careful what you wish for,feccia.” She steps up to me slowly. Her gaze rakes down my body once again, and as she bends down to meet my sitting height, I have to hold back vomit. “Because I could require many things in exchange for lives as precious as theirs…” Her hand snakes down my burning skin until she grasps my limp cock.
I force myself to swallow through the fire in my stomach and keep myself from retching. The thought of anyone other than my wife touching me this way is revolting, but I don't fight her. Ihaveto submit. If becoming her unwilling toy is what it will take to spare my wife, then so be it. I'll do anything if it keeps her from killing Ashia.
My neck strains, but I force myself to nod and keep my body still. I'm sure not to twitch or flinch, and as much as I want to allow my face to twist in disgust, I don't let it. She breaks out into maniacal laughter and steps back, thankfully letting me go. All of the hope I once had goes down the drain when I see the deceptive look in her eyes.
“You stupid boy. Do you think begging now will help you? What example would I be setting if I didn’t follow through on my word? You,feccia, have made your bed. And now, it’s time youlie in it. There are consequences for our actions, and it seems that you have gone long enough without repercussions.”
She then brings her phone to her ear, and it doesn’t even take a full two seconds for her to start speaking again.
“Sette? Aspetta qualche istante. Poi, togli quello vecchio. Abbiamo aspettato troppo a lungo che questo giorno arrivasse.”
My heart starts to race, and I snap my eyes back to the screen. They continue to walk through the parking lot, unaware of what is about to happen. Ashia's face looks as sad as ever, and I see the exhaustion in her eyes. It looks like she's listening to everyone around her, but I know that emptiness lying beneath the golden color. I wish I could scream and tell her to run. I'd die for a chance to warn her. A part of me wants to look away so I don't have to see what happens to the love of my life, but I can't tear my eyes away at the same time.
I need to see that I've failed her for the last time.
My father holds Ashia back a few feet before he starts to speak to her, and the anticipation might be my end. The scope darts back and forth between Ashia’s head and my father’s, and it’s at this moment that I know I’m a horrible person.
I'm a terrible husband.
But I’m a worse son.
I never thought I would wish death on my father, but if I had to choose, I would always choose my wife. My father gave me life. He guided me through this world and gave me every chance I could've dreamed of. His sacrifices and actions allowed me to have the life I found for myself. Without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today, and that means I wouldn't have found Ashia.
A part of me thinks he would understand. No, Iknowhe would, but that doesn't change anything. My wife holds my entire life in her hands, and while sheismy heart, she shares itwith what's growing inside of her. There's no life without them—no world left.
Fuck, I hate myself more than I ever have before. I’ve sunken to a new low. Each time I’ve failed my father is coming to lay itself before me now, and there’s no way I can take these feelings back. Once again, I’ve proven that the best of his children is the one that died, because all I can think isplease, take my father…
Chapter 27
Ashia
“Hey, Ash?”
I jolt awake at Zeke’s voice. Drool hangs from my mouth, and I use one of the tissues on Damien’s desk to wipe it away. I don’t even remember falling asleep. The map was just so boring to look at. We were trying to pinpoint where Popov could’ve gone after he escaped almost three weeks ago—after he fled from the warehouse. We haven’t been able to find anything else on him, and while we’re still looking for any trace of DeLuca or Saconne, I feel that Popov is still a key player in this somehow.
“Yeah, Zeke?” I wipe my eyes as Ser walks into the office as well.
“What time is your appointment today?”
“Um, two o’clock, I think?” I pull out my phone to check, and the reminder does say two. So, I nod to confirm with him.
“Okay. Well, we have plenty of time. Do you want me to take you back to the house so you can get someactualrest, or do you insist on leaning over a desk until then?” He crosses his armsand tilts his head, probably because he already knows that I'm going to argue with him.
“Oh, I’m fine. That was a good power-nap. I just need to walk around for a minute.” I stand up and adjust the waistband of my leggings as I stretch, trying to loosen them a little. They’ve gotten a little tight over the past few days, and they’ve started to leave a little ring around my belly.
“Okay, that’s it. We’re going shopping,” Serena says with her hands on her hips.
“What?” I ask and look up at her.
“You’re squishing my little gummy bear in there, and your clothes are clearly uncomfortable now. So, get your shit and let’s go.” She places one hand on the door, practically ushering me out.
“I can just order things online, Ser. It’s probably not very smart to parade around a crowded store right now. Plus, I'm sure Zeke doesn’t want to go maternity shopping.” I look over at him with an obvious glare.
“I don’t mind,” he chimes in, and I instantly hate him again. “She’s right. You’re uncomfortable. Let’s get you some clothes you can actually wear.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” I look at Zeke and ask, giving him my best ‘don’t youdareagree with my best friend’ face.
