Page 144 of For Your Consideration

Before I could call out to him, Sophie started to stir, pulling my attention to her. Her eyes opened and locked on mine. My heart squeezed as she gave me a smile and her hands went to rub her eyes.

“Good morning, my sweet girl.” I leaned in, pressing kisses all over her neck, causing her to let out a laugh. At least one of us had woken up happy this morning.

“That might be the best sound,” Asher commented from behind me, and despite everything I smiled a little. “Your laugh comes second.” I looked over at him. “Sit up.”

I could tell he was in a mood this morning, like he was angry and frustrated but trying to keep it in and the only way he knew how to do that was to issue demands. I sat up, resting my hand on Sophie because she looked liable to roll away.

He passed me the glass he was holding then held the pills out for me. The second my hand was off Sophie, he had scooped her up, earning another giggle.

“I want to take you somewhere this morning,” Asher said after I took the pills. My eyes bounced to Sophie. “Quinn, Knight, Thor, and Jaxson are on the way over. She’ll be safe with them.”

“I know.” I was so grateful he’d brought all of these people into my life. People who loved Sophie, who I trusted. “But I have work.”

“You aren’t working today, Sutton.” I opened my mouth to object but he held up his free hand. “Quinn would be livid if you did. We’ll only be gone for a little over an hour.”

I wanted to keep objecting. I wanted to stay in this house, keep Sophie in my arms, and reassure myself that no one could get us here and that no one was taking her from me. But I was also angry. So fucking angry that a man laid his hands on me. That a man was trying to take my daughter. That he was putting me through all this bullshit because his girlfriend was pressuring him.

So wherever he was going to take me was probably better than sitting and stewing.

Asher kept my hand in his as he led me inside the gym, switching hands as he closed and locked the door behind us.

He flicked on the lights and I looked around. I knew he owned this place but I hadn’t been here before. In front of us was a reception space with doors that led to what looked like locker rooms. The space was large, furnished in dark colors. There was an empty mat space, a sparring ring, and a whole group of heavy bags hanging at the back.

My hand was still in his as he pulled me through the space toward the bags. He’d instructed me to wear runners and workout clothes so I had an idea of what we were doing here but he hadn’t said much on the ride over.

“Ash, what are we doing? I think I’m too sore for this.”

He dropped the gym bag he’d brought and started pulling things out. “I wouldn’t have survived all my anger when I was younger if I didn’t learn to channel it. Henry brought me to a bag for the first time because it was better than punching people.” I let out a snort as he came toward me. “His words, not mine.” He reached for my hand and started wrapping black fabric around it. It was a methodical, effortless move for him, and his hands were gentle as he continued. “Without this I would’ve drowned in that anger, and I can see it on your face.”

I clenched and unclenched my teeth. “I don’t even know how to process what happened last night. The man may not be great but grabbing me? Threatening me? Who the hell does he think he is? What the fuck did he think he was going to accomplish? Why do all of this when he doesn’t even want her? And that makes me livid because who the hell wouldn’t want her? She’s perfect.” I let out a breath as he glanced up at me, taking my other hand to wrap.

“I don’t know the answer to any of those questions, Sutton. But what I do know is that this helped me. I’m not sure if it will help you.” He shrugged, looking a little unsure, which was not a look this man had often. “But I wanted to share it with you in case it did.”

He didn’t look at me as he checked my wraps and asked me to make a fist to test them before he nodded, slipped gloves onto my hands, and then stepped back.

“I’ve never punched anything before,” I admitted, which got me a smirk.

“Figured, sweetheart.” He came behind me, lifting my arms. “You always keep your arms up, no matter what punch you’re throwing; you want to be ready.” His hands moved down to my hips. “Put your left leg in front.” I did as he said. “Your power comes from pivoting your hips.”

Nodding, I focused as he walked me through a few more instructions. Once he felt I was ready he moved to hold the bag in front of me and tilted his chin toward it.

I rolled my shoulders, lifted my arms, and then twisted my hip, my fist landing on the bag.

The feeling almost vibrated through my arm. It wasn’t the strongest punch but it felt good.

“Nice,” Asher commented as my eyes moved up to his. “Do it again.”

I smiled as I lined my body up again and threw a punch with my right and then my left. “I can maybe see why you like this.” I looked up at him and saw his eyes were soft. “Thank you, Grizzly, you always seem to know what I need.”

“Could say the same thing to you. Let’s go again.” He held the bag for me as I lined my body up once more.

We stayed at the gym for just under an hour. The pain meds he’d given me had helped keep my muscles loose but by the end I was exhausted. When we got home he pushed me upstairs to shower, telling me to take my time and that he’d check on Sophie, who I could hear in the kitchen.

The boxing had helped but now I was feeling drained. I sat on the floor of the shower and cried. Wasn’t surprising given everything going on.

After my shower I pulled myself back together. I did feel better.

Quinn’s eyes landed on me as I came down the stairs. She made her way toward me as the guys stayed in the kitchen. After handing Sophie over this morning on our way out the door, we hadn’t had a chance to talk.