"Wait, that's Gage?" I ask as Nicole shows me a picture of a little boy in the bath with a stack of bubbles on his head. He's holding two yellow rubber duckies and has a large smile on his face. "I think he was three in this. My mom had just gotten him the two rubber ducks and he was obsessed with them," Nicole smiles. We continue to flip through the photo album and I can't help but take pictures of a few of the photos. "He's in a little suit!" I exclaim as I see the picture. Gage is probably six or so and he is in a black suit and tie. His arms are crossed tightly over his chest and his lips are forming the biggest pout. "This was his first time wearing a full suit," Nicole tells me. "It was for my sisters wedding. He was the ring bearer and he didn't want to wear it. He cried for a few hours before the wedding. I managed to bribe him with suckers, so it worked out in the end." "It sounds like he was stubborn even as a kid," I smile and she laughs. "You would've never m

Gage's POV: When I got home from the club last night Ashlynn was fast asleep. I had to carefully take her out of my car and take her to her room so she can sleep for the remaining of the night. I did get a couple hours of sleep before my day begun, right at 7:00. Alex has organized everything for today so I can have as much leverage as I need over her. She's not getting away this time, and I'm finally giving her what she deserves. "Boss, we have the family," one of my men says. They click a few buttons on the tablet they're holding before they show me the love video footage from a small living room. The family is kneeling on the ground, tied up and blindfolded. The oldest two are obviously her parents and the boy that is with them is her brother. That's only the beginning of my leverage. "We've also got access to all of her bank accounts and money is ready to be transferred. Along with the men who discovered her hide out here in New York. They discovered she was hijacking some of

Ashlynn's POV: "Perfect, you're here," I sigh in relief as Kylie enters my room. She adjusting the gold earring as she walks through the door. "Damn girl! Where are you going?" "Elliott is taking me out for dinner," she smiles as she tugs at the end of her emerald green dress. "This isn't too much, is it?" "You look sexy, I think it's perfect," I tell her. "But I need some help. Gage wants to take me to a club but I'm not sure what I should wear." "Well a dress obviously," Kylie says as she goes to my closet and pushes the hangers around. She eventually pulls out a silk navy blue spaghetti strapped dress. "Definitely this one." I grin and give her a hug before saying a quick goodbye so she can go on her date. When she leaves I change out of my clothes and into the dress Kylie has picked out. I remember buying this when I was out with Kylie at the mall, but I didn't think I'd ever wear it. The dress hugs my body in every right way. The bottom is quite tight over my ass

It's been a few days and Ashlynn has slept a lot. The doctors say she's healing very well, but I'm still worried. The physical therapist is coming in today to evaluate her. I already have a therapist coming to our house to work with her. She's not staying here longer than she has to. Ashlynn has been more talkative the past twenty-four hours. Her friend Kylie has been stopping by. All they do is whisper and giggle, it gets annoying. "Gage? Could you get me some water?" Ashlynn asks as she snuggles up with her blanket. I nod and leave to go to the snack room that is on her floor. I grab a bottle of water and fill a cup up with ice before I go back to her room. "Thanks." "Do you need anything else?" I ask, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Come lay down please," Ashlynn says, moving over so I can sit on the bed. "I don't want to hurt you," I say, not wanting to get on the bed with her. "It wasn't a question, it was me telling you to lay on the bed with me," she says, twis

"I'm sorry for bringing these situations to you," Gage says as he braids my hair. We are currently in his room watching a random TV show. I'm eating a tub of cookie dough ice cream as he struggles to do the braid. "These situations find me," I tell him. "They aren't caused by you, so don't feel bad. Besides, I'm okay." "I don't want you to feel obligated to be a part of this life. It's not easy," he says and I grab his hand so he stops the braid. I glance back at him with a smile and he just looks lost. I set my ice cream down and take his hand off my head before I stand up in front of him. "I really do like you Gage, career included. Whatever you say right now isn't going to make me leave. I want to stay with you," I tell him, holding his hand. "I'm staying right here." "You're too good for this life," he says and I can't help but smile. "I'm still staying," I reply and he chuckles. "I know you'll keep me safe and protect me. Sometimes the bad is inevitable, but you are