I wasn’t sure if that was him giving his blessing to us or not, but I took it as that. Knowing we had his support didn’t stop our mission being dangerous. It would always be a huge gamble for us to take out Russo.
My eyes fell on Ash and she was looking at the father with no small amount of happiness. Then she was up and out of Rory’s lap, skirting by Isabella and seating herself next to Viktor. He let her take his hand.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea what it means to me to have a father who actually gives a shit about me… who respects me.”
He reached up and brushed her hair behind her ear.
“You are an adult, kotik, I will always respect your wishes. I have no desire to control you, only to support you.”
I watched Isabella’s expression. Her eyes clouded over as she took in the affection between her daughter and Viktor. She could’ve given Ash this a long time ago. Could’ve allowed her to know the truth about who her father really was. Isabella could’ve given Ash a life away from Russo. But then… we wouldn’t be here today. We wouldn’t have Ash and that didn’t even bear thinking about. Rory, Xav, Eric and I all needed Ash in our lives. We needed her to complete us. She’d been the missing part and now we were together, I couldn’t imagine life without her. Without this perfectly imperfect girl.
“Ash.”
She turned to Isabella, letting go of Viktor’s hand.
“I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through. I’m just so, so sorry.”
Ash stared at her for a long moment before her bottom lip trembled. Then she barrelled her way into Isabella’s arms, holding her tight. None of us did a thing whilst they hugged it out until Ash pulled back and gave her a sad smile.
“We’re going to take him down, Mum. For good.”
Isabella stroked her daughter’s face.
“We will, darling, we will.”
Then they both turned to me. I put my hand out.
“If we’re all agreed, then I suggest we form a plan. Russo has to die. No matter what it takes.”
The grim determination settling over everyone in the room gave me a little hope we could come out of this alive. That we could make sure we had a future together. Ash had her family in Viktor and Isabella and her home in me, Rory, Xav and Eric.
We were one
And we were going to fucking stay that way.
No matter what.
Chapter 30
I got out of the car and walked around, finding her standing with her eyes fixed on the woods ahead of us. Ash looked over at me when I approached, her blue eyes wide with her arms wrapped around her chest. I reached out and brushed a hand along her shoulder. She leant into my touch.
Quinn was going to kill us for leaving the house, but I didn’t care. Nothing mattered but me and her. Nothing but this moment where I let go of everything and became the hunter I’d always wanted to be. The one who sought his prey. Her. My most beautiful girl.
It’d been two days since we’d made a plan to take down Russo. I decided it was worth taking the risk to do this with her. We couldn’t predict the outcome and now more than ever I needed to take control of my fucking life. Stop living in fear and be open. If it all went to shit, then at least I wouldn’t regret anything. I’d never regret her. Never regret us.
This was our moment. And I was fucking taking it.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she whispered.
“That should be my question to you.”
She stepped closer, staring up at me.
“Don’t you know I’d do anything for you, Ror?”
Being with her made me feel things I’d long since thought I wasn’t capable of. This girl had done things to me which no one else had managed. I craved her touch. Needed her body next to mine. I itched to have her at my mercy.
“Anything?”
She closed the distance leaving little room between us.
“Anything, I want to be what you need.”
I couldn’t stop myself reaching for her, tugging her against me and tangling my hand in her beautiful blonde locks.
“You already are.”
I gripped her hair tighter until she winced. I leant down and ran my nose up her neck, breathing in her delicious scent.
Not yet. Soon. First, I’m the hunter and she’ll be my prey.
“Run and don’t look back, my little star.”
She shivered and let out a little pant.
“You’re really going to chase me?”
I grinned.
“I’m going to hunt you down and when I catch you, you’ll wish you ran harder.”
I released her and stepped back. Ash’s pupils were dilated. Her chest rose and fell as her hands fisted at her sides. Fear pumped through her veins. She knew what her role was in this game but as to what would happen when I caught up to her, well, she’d have to wait and see.
“Run, Ash, run as fast and hard as you can.”
She started to back away from me towards the woods.
“The safe word is devil.”
My smile widened and I nodded once. I remembered. If she wanted me to stop, I would, but Ash had never used it. This time would be different. She’d see me unleashed completely. Whilst she told me she wanted to do this, I still questioned how far Ash would really go for me. Would she even enjoy this?
“You get a head start, but make no mistake, I’m coming for you, little star.”
She gave me one last look before she turned and ran towards the woods. I bit my lip as my blood pounded in my ears, adrenaline flooding my veins. Seeing her run made me want to give chase, but not yet. I didn’t
