Chapter 60: Breaking Point

Chapter 60: Breaking Point
Ashley's POV

I walked out of the interrogation room with Morrison following behind me. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as we made our way down the narrow corridor.

"We didn't find Warner on the ship. Julio probably moved him somewhere else already," Morrison said. His voice was flat, professional. "The staff had their story straight too. They all claimed it's just a regular casino. Nothing illegal."

"But I heard them talking about locking him up."

"Maybe they already threw his body in the ocean." Morrison's tone was serious.

My stomach dropped. A heavy stone settled in my chest, weighing me down.

Julio had gone completely insane. If Warner was dead, dumped in the sea, how many others had met the same fate on that ship? The thought made my skin crawl.

"Officer Morrison, if you need anything from me, call anytime. I'll do whatever I can to help."

We'd reached the station entrance. The evening air felt cool against my face.

We both knew we had to catch Julio fast. Before this psycho killed someone else. Maybe one of us would be next.

Morrison nodded. "I'll do everything in my power. Keep in touch."

He pointed at my phone.

I smiled and waved it at him. "Already saved your number."

Morrison opened his mouth to say something else when Matthew's voice rang out from down the street.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

My son ran toward me, his little legs pumping as fast as they could go. I scooped him up immediately, holding him tight. His soft cheek pressed against mine, and finally, I felt safe.

"Ashley, Matthew and I came to pick you up." James appeared behind Matthew.

Seeing James unharmed made the last bit of tension leave my body.

"Who's this?" James looked at Morrison.

"Officer Morrison. You met him at my office once. He's the one who rescued me from Julio's ship."

"Thank you, Officer Morrison." James smiled, but something was off about it. The expression didn't reach his eyes.

"Just doing my job," Morrison replied formally.

It was late. Exhaustion was catching up with me. I said goodbye to Morrison and followed James to the car.

Matthew clung to me the whole ride home, asking where I'd been, telling me he'd missed me. I answered each question patiently. By the time we got home, his eyelids were drooping, but he insisted I stay with him until he fell asleep.

After Matthew was out, I came downstairs. James was waiting, just like I'd expected.

"James, something's bothering you. What is it?" I poured juice for both of us.

"Ashley, what's your relationship with Morrison? Why did you call him for help instead of me?" His voice was sullen.

I couldn't help laughing. So that's what was eating at him.

I sat beside him on the couch and ruffled his hair.

"He's a cop. Of course I'd call him when I'm in danger. As for our relationship, I guess we're allies."

Morrison had asked me to cooperate before, and I'd refused. Back then, I didn't want more involvement with Julio. But things were different now. Julio wouldn't leave me alone. I was already pulled into this mess whether I liked it or not.

Morrison and I wanted the same thing. We could work together, just not the way Morrison had originally suggested. I'd help him when I could. That was it.

At least my memory was good. I'd only glanced at Morrison's business card once, but I'd remembered his number. Otherwise, I wouldn't have escaped Julio's torture so easily.

James's expression relaxed considerably.

"It's late. We should both get some sleep. Work tomorrow." I stood up.

But James grabbed my arm. He clearly had more questions.

"Ashley, were you okay these past few days?" His voice was careful, probing.

I knew what he was really asking. Did Julio hurt me? Was I forced to do things I didn't want?

"James, you already know the answer. I don't want to talk about it."

We were still just dating. No way could I discuss having sex with my ex-fiancé for three days straight. Anyone with shame couldn't do that.

James shot to his feet. His eyes bored into me as his breathing grew heavy.

"Ashley, you had sex with him? How could you? He murdered your parents! And we're dating, aren't we? How could you do this? You're shameless!"

Anger exploded through me at his accusation. I slapped him hard across the face.

"Why did I have to do it? You know exactly why! James, if you'd listened to me and not hit Julio, he wouldn't have pressed charges against you! Don't you understand what the Adam family can do? Three years ago they kidnapped you! James, you're my family. I couldn't let them destroy you! Do you have any idea how much it hurt being with Julio? You don't comfort me. Instead you call me shameless?"

"I told you I didn't need you to save me! I'd rather die!" James threw his teacup.

The crash of shattering porcelain echoed through the quiet room. I jumped. James felt like a stranger now. Nothing like the gentle, kind man I'd known. He was a wild lion, completely out of control.

James grabbed my shoulders. His grip was brutal. Pain shot through my arms.

"Ashley, you're mine! How could you fuck Julio? You betrayed me! You say it was to save me, but really you just wanted to be with him!"

"Let go! James, you're hurting me!" I shoved at his chest.

But he'd lost all reason. He kept saying I'd betrayed him, that I belonged to him.

He reminded me of Julio when he went crazy. Fear and fury mixed together inside me.

I kicked him. Hit him. But that only made James angrier.

"Ashley, why are you fighting me? You want to leave? I won't allow it!" He slammed me down on the couch.

His hands pinned my wrists. His full weight pressed me into the cushions. Then his mouth was on mine, my face, my neck. His hands tore at my clothes.

"You want sex? Then do it with me!"

I didn't want forced sex. Not even with James.

Especially not after he'd humiliated me.

I kicked his shin hard. He got even angrier. His hands left my wrists and wrapped around my throat.

"Ashley, you have to stay with me!" He ground the words out through clenched teeth.

"James, snap out of it!" I struggled, trying to break through to him.

But his hands only tightened around my neck. Like he really might kill me.