Chapter 13: Chapter thirteen
Zeph carried her out of the building, "It's alright Zeph I can walk now". He put her down "Okay if you say so but we gotta be quick" she opened her mouth but he interrupted "No questions now rook we have to run". They hurried towards the parking lot there were a few cars, Zeph still had the crowbar with blood smeared on it, he opened the door of a car with it, Ashely stared in awe, "Wow, can't believe you did that". "There's a lot you don't know about me Luv, now hop in quick". He swerved the car out of the building and they were on the highway in ten minutes. There was a lot of silence and tension hanging, Ashely started "May I start asking questions now?"
He held her hand and squeezed it "I am sure you have a lot on your mind right now, but first tell me are you okay? Did he hurt you?”. “Like hell he could, I cornered him and made him confess what was that all about". He chuckled "I knew you were a badass" his expressions grew serious "At least you know half the story" he let out a long sigh "Well there must be a snake at the office in L. A. who hooked us up with Decha". She continued "Well I have my money on Victor Hunt that guy never liked you very much ever since you bought like ninety percent of shares of Piper Foods, he's always out on the limb to destroy you".
"I know the mastermind behind this Ashely, I know it's him, it’s the snitch between us I am talking about".
I have already told Jackie to start looking around and keep an eye on everyone at the office. “You think that dumbass woman can be up for such a big task? I mean we are technically relying on her for intel”. “She is a dumbass I know, but she is the most observant person there she'll keep us in the loop meanwhile I need to figure a way to get us out of this darned country".
They arrived at a small house, Zeph opened the door with a card and headed in, she cocked an eyebrow at him "What are you not telling me Zephyr, how come you have a safe house at your disposal in a foreign land". "I worked for the FBI for three years before starting Food Zeus luckily I can still use their safehouses, now get inside".
She opened the lights smiled at him bemused "You are full of surprises Zeph, so FBI huh? That explains getting away from those huge men". He bowed a little "Guilty as charged". A moment later, he winced and cradled his stomach "It’s okay you go ahead freshen up it's nothing I'll be okay in a minute". She leaped across the floor to him and pulled his shirt up a little "You speaking so frantically is enough for me to know that something's wrong now let me see". A purple bruise was forming on his abdomen. “That looks bad, you lay down on the couch I'll look for some ice, I'll be back in a sec”. (Man, this fridge is well stocked!) She took out ice and wrapped it in a kitchen towel, he reached out for it "Why don't you just relax and let me take care of it Zeph". He smirked "If you insist”. (He's injured and he's still cocky)
She sat on her knees and pressed the makeshift icepack to his stomach. He winced, "You know all that time I was so worried that you might get hurt and ask for compensation as per your contract or worse you will sue me". She punched her shoulder "Too bad, I was worried about you he was talking about killing you for heaven's sake and you only thought that your pocket might get lighter?" She put the icepack on his abs and got up "I can't believe this I thought you actually cared about me". He took her hand and laughed "Wait Ashely I was kidding, I do care about you". She freed herself and started to head for the room "Good joke, color me impressed".
He got up and held her by her shoulders "I am sorry I didn’t mean to offend you, I was just trying to. you know, lighten up the mood”. “Lightened enough now is it? Can I go now I have to sleep, it's been a long day".
[Ah c'mon still mad now are we] His jaw clenched for a moment but then he forced a smile "It's still early evening, why don't we just talk today was too much action, like movies". "You're doing it again, never serious, we both could've died today! That freakshow was saying to use this pandemic as an excuse to get us killed!". He smiled "Okay I am sorry cupcake, but honestly tell me how are you holding up?”. “It’s a lot to take in, being a luxury hotel and the next thing, you know everyone there is trying to pull Michael Myers on you, so it’s a lot I am trying to wrap my head around". He smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear, "Wait what is that scratch?" "It's nothing just a tiny scrape" his eyes grew dark, "Let me take care of it, Ashley, he squeezed her hand, let me take care of you tonight".