Page 108 of Ash Storm

Ash

Ahmed Afsan was sitting calmly on one of the high stools in the bar area, a ridged Art-Deco tumbler in his hand.

He swirled the amber liquid around gently, looking for all the world like a man kicking back after a long day in the boardroom.

The three guards standing by the staircase told a different story. Two of them carried bodies on their shoulder.

Ash’s first thought was for Dark and Slate.

But no, it wasn’t—

At a sign from Afsan, the guard dropped Rogue’s body unceremoniously on the pool table.

Ash’s blood froze in his veins.

Blood leaked from Rogue’s body onto the thick, electric blue fabric.

“I wonder if that blood will wash off,” Afsan said, smiling. “Or if it’ll remain, a sweet reminder of this evening.”

Ash knew the man was in his forties, but he didn’t look a day over twenty-five. His eyes and mouth were unlined, completely smooth. He looked well rested, as if owning a human trafficking business wasn’t robbing him of any sleep.

“Bring me the woman,” he ordered, standing up.

Ash’s eyes followed the guard carrying Reka on his shoulder. Unlike Rogue, she was conscious, and kicking fiercely, though her legs and arms were bound. She grunted loudly, the words unintelligible through her taped mouth.

“You trying to say something, dear?” Afsan said, grabbing her and holding her in front of him, one arm around her shoulders, the other caressing her hair.

Ash’s stomach roiled.

“I also know how to break necks, Mr. Romano. Or should I say Mr. Gunner,” Afsan said in his mild, deep voice. “Yes, I know your name. I know a lot about you now. And don’t worry, I’m changing procedure, so this kind of thing doesn’t ever happen again.”

“Let her go,” Ash growled.

“You want to know the difference between us?” Afsan asked, as if Ash hadn’t spoken. “When I break a neck, I break it for real. You wanna see?”

Afsan tightened his hold, forcing Reka on her tiptoes. Her eyes were wide and frightened. Ash couldn’t look into them, or he’d lose himself. And then he’d lose everything.

“Please don’t hurt her,” Ash finally got out.

“Tell your friend to let go of my property,” Afsan said, still looking straight at Ash.

Ash nodded to Griffin, who put Chloe down on the floor next to him. He kept his body slightly in front of the woman.

Ash looked around the room. There were three guards, plus Afsan to contend with. It was him and Griffin, against four armed men.

It was a classic stand-off, but Ash didn’t like their odds—not when Chloe, Reka and Rogue could so easily get hurt in the cross-fire.

“You know,” Afsan said conversationally, addressing Reka. “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble.” He stared straight at Ash as he licked the side of Reka’s face from temple to chin.

Behind the tape, Reka gagged.

Ash’s hands closed into fists.

Afsan smiled. “Yes. A lot of trouble. More trouble than I personally enjoy, but I have friends who will enjoy breaking her spirit and her body. I will gift her to one of them. How does that sound, Mr. Gunner?”

Reka struggled in his arms, but with her bound legs and arms, there wasn’t much she could do.

“Let her go, Afsan,” Ash said, stalling for time. Dark and Slate would come down this way if they took long enough. Then maybe—