Chapter 56

ASHER

Ebony is all curled up in my bed, snug as a bug under the duvet. She’s out cold, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it. One moment we were both fully dressed, soaked in the warm water of the shower as we held each other, and the next, she was limp in my arms, completely unconscious.

Ever tried to move someone who’s not helping you at all? Yeah, it’s a real pain in the ass. Especially when you have to undress them first to keep your damn mattress from soaking up all the water dripping off their body.

So now our clothes are piled up at the bottom of the shower, and she’s wrapped in a towel under the duvet while I clean up the mess in my bedroom. I probably should have taken her next door and let Addison handle it, but I didn’t want to risk waking her up.

So I quietly put my room back in order, putting things back where they belong and noticing that the main place she was searching was where she might have found what she was looking for until I moved it to avoid giving in to my own cravings. Maybe if I had left it there, I would have unintentionally ended her suffering, but then I might have also caused her to accidentally overdose.

Yeah… I’d rather she go through withdrawal than overdose on my watch. I’d rather she hate me than be dead. I leave her sleeping in my bed, knowing it won’t be a long or peaceful sleep, and that’s when I see Addison peeking into my room from the doorway.

How long has she been standing there? What did she see? God, can’t they give me a moment’s peace?

“Jesus Christ, haven’t you three ever heard of personal space?” I snap.

“I could ask you the same thing. Why is Ebony in your bed?” she retorts.

“She was freaking out, begging for drugs because she’s in the worst part of her detox. I haven’t touched her…,” I quickly clarify, even though she didn’t ask.

But I can see the question in her eyes. I squeeze past her to leave my room and the sleeping Ebony. She follows me, making me roll my eyes in frustration. So much for that peaceful cup of coffee I was hoping for.

I start the coffee maker, add the creamer, and grind the beans, all while she’s there, staring at my back just like Maddison was when I got back. Am I ever going to catch a break?

Shit, I forgot to send Fennick the money. I scramble around the kitchen to find my bag and phone, only to see three messages from him.

Fennick

I said one hour.

Fennick

Do you enjoy pushing boundaries, son?

Fennick

The price has gone up—seventy-five thousand or else.

~Damn it!~

I grit my teeth as I wire him the seventy-five grand, cursing myself for losing even more money because of my forgetfulness. And now I’m really pissed off, my mood plummeting faster than a skydiver without a parachute.

I storm back to the freshly brewed coffee, stirring it so vigorously that it spills over the edges of my favorite mug, making a mess on the kitchen counter. I mutter curses under my breath as I clean up the mess, all while Addison watches me with wide eyes.

“What?!” I snap.

“Seventy-five thousand for who?” she asks.

“What?” I reply, sipping my coffee and burning my tongue as I debate whether to lie about this transaction or not.

“Did you sleep with her? Is that why he’s asking for more money?” She stomps her foot, grabbing a roll of paper towels and throwing it at me. It bounces off my chest and lands on the floor.

“Who did I sleep with and why the hell are you reading over my shoulder, Addison? Remember when I asked for some personal space? That includes phone calls, texts, and emails,” I retort.

“I haven’t been in your room, and I can’t help it if my eyes read what’s right in front of them,” she shoots back with as much sass as Tal might.

“I haven’t slept with any of you, and frankly, it’s none of your business. But that chunk of change? It’s for Maddison. She shows up here without warning, and I’m expected to foot the bill for her stay. As if I need another woman to look after.”

“Promise?” she questions, disregarding everything else but the fact that I haven’t been with Ebony or Maddison.

“I’ve told you, I’m not interested in sleeping with you. I paid to get you out of that place…”

She stands there for a moment, studying me, weighing my responses. Then she hits me with a request I’m not sure I can fulfill.

“There are others, girls like Eb. Innocents, the new arrivals. They bring them in every few weeks. You could help them, rescue them before they’re damaged like the rest of us.”

I close my eyes, swallowing the mouthful of coffee I’d just taken. I wish I could promise to help them, and I take note of the intriguing piece of information she’s shared, but I can’t lie to her.

I’ve spent more money than I care to admit rescuing the three of them, and even then, I’ve only bought them a month or two of respite at most. I can’t afford to liberate every single girl from that place; they’re the fortunate ones—for now.

“I’m not a bottomless pit of money; it runs out, Addison. Just be grateful I had enough to save you and Ebony when I did,” I tell her. I retreat to my bedroom, where Ebony is still asleep.

Despite my bed being occupied by a minor, I climb in and turn to face the window before closing my eyes. I need a damn nap.