Burn (Breathless #3)(50)

Ash nodded. “I’m done with this ass**le.”

Ash and the others turned, leaving Michael along the side of the building where they’d ambushed him. It was a path he took every evening and, luckily for Ash, it was well out of sight of the main streets. Still, he was taking a huge risk. If the wrong person happened upon them, all hell would break lose. He couldn’t afford to be seen, couldn’t afford any witnesses that would counteract his alibi if Michael pulled a really dumb move and went to the police.

He pulled up the collar of his long coat, one that would be discarded and never used again, one he’d purchased specifically for tonight. Satisfied his face was shielded by the cap he’d pulled low over his hair and the lapels that covered his cheeks, he hurried off, leaving Michael lying on the ground, the victim of an apparent mugging. He’d been more than willing to let the other men take what they wanted.

Ash slipped the man on his right a wad of cash and muttered his thanks.

“No problem, McIntyre,” C.J. murmured. “If you need us, you know where to find us.”

Ash nodded and strode in the opposite direction from them when they reached the street. He was only a few blocks from the office building and he had to hurry to make it back before the cameras came back online. He grabbed his phone, the call still open, and brought it to his ear. He still had the mute button punched and left it so the sounds from the streets couldn’t be heard.

He listened in as Jace effectively held the conversation, giving no opportunity for Ash to have interjected anything. When he reached the door of the office building, he hurried in, making sure his face was obscured. He ducked into a bathroom on the first floor and stuffed the coat into the gym bag he carried and ripped off the cap. After checking his appearance and ensuring there was no blood on him anywhere, he punched the mute button on his phone and headed toward the elevator.

A few minutes later, he stood in the doorway of Jace’s office and motioned for the other hired man to step away. They traded jackets, the other man quickly disappeared and Jace joined the wrap-up, thanking the investors for their time and fielding a few last minute questions. Jace looked inquiringly at him, his gaze sweeping up and down Ash as if to gauge whether there was any indication of what he’d done.

Ash just nodded in his direction as they ended the call.

There was silence a long moment before Jace finally broke it.

“Any problems?”

Ash shook his head. “No. Fucker is taken care of. He’ll wear the bruises longer than Josie did. And he’ll think twice before raising a hand to another woman again.”

“Glad it’s done with. This shit stresses me out, man. Would love to know when the f**k you fell in with the kind of guys you pulled in for this job. Hell, for that matter, how you knew the men you had take care of Bethany’s problem with the man Jack owed money to.”

Ash shrugged. “Does it matter? They aren’t people I’ll ever invite to dinner or people you, Gabe and especially our women ever have to meet.”

Jace sighed. “Just makes me wonder what kind of shit you’ve been into that I didn’t know about.”

“Nothing illegal,” Ash drawled.

“Until now,” Jace said quietly.

“Until now,” Ash agreed. “But it had to be done. Not going to allow anyone to f**k over my woman. Won’t hesitate to do it again if there’s ever the need.”

Jace rose, blowing out his breath in a deep exhale. “I’m ready to get home to my woman, and I’m sure you’re ready to get home to yours.” His gaze drifted over Ash again, concern bright in his eyes. “You okay, man?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Fucker didn’t touch me. My hand’s sore, but nothing serious.”

Jace shook his head. “Let’s get out of here and make damn sure we’re seen leaving together.

Chapter eighteen

It was the first night all week that Ash had been late coming home from work, and it sucked. Despite them only being together a week, Josie had grown used to Ash coming home to her before dark. They’d fallen into a comfortable routine. She worked during the day. He worked during the day. But then he came home and she was waiting for him. Every day. On the couch, naked. And when he walked through that door, the air immediately changed.

She’d asked for kink, and Ash had certainly delivered. Her ass was still sore from last night’s interlude. The first spanking on Monday night hadn’t been overwhelming. It had been perfect. Then he’d laid off the rest of the week, opting for other explorations that didn’t involve him taking a crop to her ass.

But then last night?

She rubbed a hand over her bottom, enjoying the tingling sensation from the still-raised welts. He’d used a crop, and he hadn’t been as gentle as he had that first night. But then she’d begged him for more. More edge. More of that fine line between pain and pleasure.

What did he have in mind for tonight? Or would he be too tired after a long day at work and a late meeting?

Her phone rang, and she pounced, her eyes lighting up when she saw it was Ash calling.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Hey baby. I’m on my way. Be ready for me. Been a long day. Just want to get home to you.”

A thrill shot through her chest. It made her ridiculously giddy that this man looked forward to coming home to her so much. Ash was a man who could have any woman he wanted. And he wanted her. There wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t enjoy a stroke to the ego like that.