Page 38 of Vile Bastards
He moves away from the counter, taking a seat at a two-person table beneath a wall that seems to be made up of fake grass. Like, the whole wall. It’s some of the only color in the entire room.
When I sit down across from him, Ash sighs heavily.
“Baka,” he murmurs, rubbing at his forehead. “Scarlett, you quite literally died last week. Are you eager to try it again?”
I kick him under the table, and he curls his mouth at me. The expression reminds me of Aspen, and I shudder. As if he’s just realized that he’s doing it, Ash’s face falls. It’s like, maybe he’s getting so used to pretending to be his brother that he’s becoming him?
“Please don’t let your twin infect you where it matters most.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ash challenges, but he knows. I tap at my chest, and he frowns. “Scarlett, I’m here to speak to Emma Jean. Apparently, so are you?”
“I leaked the address of the home that … you bought for Lemon. I want Emma Jean to look into it for me. That’s reward enough for us both. I have no idea what she wants to talk to me about. Why are you here with a reporter of all people?”
“A journalist.” He says it deadpan, and then I’m standing up abruptly and slipping into the women’s bathroom. Ash follows in right behind me; I can hear him; I can smell him. This sweet, floral scent clings to him, mixing with the sharp musk of a man in total lust.
His breathing is harsh, ragged, staccato.
The heat from his body burns.
He puts a hand on my shoulder, turns me around; our gazes clash. Then I’m jumping on him, and his arms are going around my waist. He fumbles behind himself for the lock, and then slams my back into the tile wall.
He’s undoing his pants before I even get the chance to come up for air.
Ash goes still suddenly, eyes widening, and then he pulls back from me, lips glossy from kissing.
“Fuck.” He sets me down and unlocks the door, escaping that room like a bat outta hell. I stand there gaping for a minute before I yank my dress back into place and stomp out of the bathroom to see him sitting at the table with his head in his hand.
I turn my head to see Emma Jean gaping at us.
Oh. Shit. Goddamn it, goddamn it, goddamn it.
“You’re avoiding me to save my life, eh?” I cross my arms as Ash drops his hand and looks up at me.
“Hai.” He drops his lids, staring out at me from sleepy bedroom eyes as he leans back in his chair, crossing his legs at the ankle. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. As far as I’m concerned right now, you’re no more than an attractive stranger.”
“Did you know that another new guy enrolled in our school last week?” I query, lifting a single brow. “He’s hot as fuck. I was considering adding another—”
“Don't.” Ash sits up, still looking out at me from narrowed eyes. “I won’t play this game with you. Just give me time to sort through all of this shit. I’m not willing to lose you. If I have to piss you off by pushing you away, I’ll do it.”
“You piece of shit,” I snarl at him, reaching out and knocking his newly delivered coffee into his lap. Ash grits his teeth, standing up so suddenly that his chair topples over, and he lifts a furious gaze to my face. “You better be at that meeting on Saturday.”
Bohnes finally arranged our little informational get-together for this weekend. I haven’t seen Alexei this entire time. It’s dangerous to come and go from the safe house when the bounty on his head is so high. Thus far, we haven’t seen any more mob activity, but that’s a concern in and of itself.
“I’ll be there, Miss Force.” Ash moves into the men’s bathroom without another word, and I resist the urge to scream. Instead, I huff out a breath and return back to the table with Emma.
“Did you just go into the women’s bathroom with Aspen Kelly?” she asks, and I can see that little journalist brain of hers flopping excitedly behind her eyes. “I mean, I’m aware that you had a previous sexual relationship with him, but—”
“Let the me and Aspen thing go, or I’ll never agree to speak with you again.”
Emma snaps her mouth closed, sighs, and then shakes her head.
“Okay, fine. Whatever. Aspen Kelly fucking another girl isn’t exactly news, despite his missing fiancée. He’s been at the strip club multiple times this week.” I just stare at her as she sighs and sips her iced coffee. “Anyway, that’s not what I came here to talk to you about.”
Strip club.
If that motherfucker went to a strip club unironically, I will murder him.
