Part 45 (2/2)

”Dad!” Angelo yelled, launching himself at Ash.

Ash put his arms around his son, surprised that Tiana had brought Angelo here when she hated the place. Christ, why hadn't he gotten rid of the house sooner? No, he knew why: because he didn't think he could do anything but sell drugs, and he also had it fixed in his mind that he wouldn't be able to escape working for Craven. But after what Chaz had done, he wasn't going to let any more men rule his life.

Ash lifted Angelo off the floor, so happy he was holding his son, something he didn't think he was ever going to do again after being kidnapped. Plus, he was immensely relieved that Chaz had been telling the truth about not harming Angelo.

Ash pushed Chaz out of his brain. The sick b.a.s.t.a.r.d may be still be breathing-barely, but he needed to keep telling himself that Chaz was gone for good, not someone or something he wanted to ever think about again. He knew that was unrealistic, but he had to try to move on, because he didn't want to continue living with the mind-f.u.c.k that Chaz had done on him.

”What're you doin' here?” Ash asked Angelo.

”For your welcome home party, Dad.”

”It's not a party, Angelo,” Tiana piped up. ”Only a welcome home.”

”It's not my home for much longer either,” Ash said, aching to embrace her, but not sure if she would welcome it. He put Angelo down on his feet, but still held his son to him, the little one not trying to get free.

Tiana straightened her skirt, looking more than nervous. ”Yes, Dante mentioned you're selling.” Then her expression broke, and she jumped up from the couch and rushed to him, squas.h.i.+ng Angelo in between them as she hugged Ash, their son squealing at her to let him out.

She moved Angelo aside, and hugged Ash fully. ”I'm sorry, I went to warn you, but that horrible creature s.n.a.t.c.hed the phone offa me.” She pulled back, her eyes going all over him, then stopped to brush his fringe aside, touching the bruise on his forehead. ”What did he do to you? No, don't answer, just tell me he didn't hurt you, that he didn't do the same thing.”

”I can't.”

Her face dropped, like she was about to disintegrate into a mess on the floor, the guilt in her eyes so stark it hurt.

”He didn't ra... do that. He did sumpthin' similar, but I'd rather not talk about it right now. Later? Okay?” And he meant it, because he was sick of bottling up everything. He needed to talk to someone, and Tiana along with Dante were the best ones to open up to.

She latched onto him and started crying again. ”Please forgive me.”

He took a hold of her arms and pulled her back, then took her face in his hands and kissed her. She went still for a moment, then returned it with pa.s.sion, as if he'd just returned from war-which he supposed he had.

He pulled back and smiled. ”There's nuthin' to forgive. And I'll get through this, but only if you promise you'll move with me to Howick.”

”Howick?” she said, looking stunned.

He nodded. ”I'm buying my way out of the business; both me and Dante will approach Craven today, offering him a deal he can't refuse. I don't wanna live like this anymore,” he said, waving his hand at the house, the place he'd lived in for the past ten years. But his gesture also referred to selling drugs and the lifestyle he'd led. ”I wanna be with you and Angelo, and I wanna go back to school, and finish what I would have if that night,” I was raped, ”never happened.”

A huge smile lit up her face, like the sun had broken through the walls and shone itself on her. She lunged at him, hugging him again.

”I guess that's a yes?” he said.

”Yes, yes, yes, yes...”

Angelo started chanting yes behind her, his little face reflecting how happy Ash felt right at that moment, which was a strange feeling considering everything that had happened over the past week, something that he'd thought would've killed him, but he guessed he wasn't letting Chaz get in the way this time.

Ash covered his eyes, attempting to stop his hand from shaking, yet failing. He'd thought he'd never get what he wanted, thought he had to constantly compromise, but now it looked like he didn't.

”Oh, Ash,” Tiana said. ”Don't get upset.”

Ash wiped his face. ”I'm not upset.”

”But you're crying.”

”Cos I didn't think I would get you and Angelo back, and I also didn't think I would see any of you again after what happened.”

”So your tears are cos you're happy?” she said, looking uncertain.

”Yes, and you're all behind the tears,” he said, sweeping his gaze over his family, ”but in a good way.” The image of the two teardrop tattoos under Chaz's left eye returned for a moment before Ash squashed it down. ”And no one will tear my family apart ever again.” He focused on Sledge. ”No matter what happens, I will only protect and be there for you.”

Sledge smiled at him.

Ash smiled back, then s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Dante. ”And if you want things I don't want, I won't get in your way.”

Dante stared back, his look of surprise telling Ash his brother knew he was talking about Beth.

Ash then refocused on Tiana, who was beaming up at him. He kissed her head, then gave her one of his Uncle Luka's famous bear-hugs. And like his uncle, he was going to live his life to the full and not let anything-or any man-stand in his way.

About the Author.

Marita A. Hansen was born in New Zealand, where her stories are based. Marita loves writing, creating art, coaching football, and running. She ran her first two marathons in 2012 and is planning on completing many more, the New York Marathon at the top of her bucket list. For more information on Marita check out her blog: maritaahansen.blogspot.com/ ***

An extract from Behind the Hood.

(Behind the Lives #1).

Set in 2010.

1.

Maia.

Maia Daniels knew she should just ignore the boys. Walk past, don't listen, she told herself. Don't talk back.

It was ten o'clock on a Sat.u.r.day night. The gang were sitting on a wall outside Claydon Pub, pa.s.sing around a smoke. She'd seen some of them at high school, when they decided to turn up that is.

Whooping and yelling came from the pub. A television blared loudly, no doubt replaying the All Blacks' rugby match against the Wallabies. Maia stopped at the driveway as a purple Holden drove into the car park. Music blasted from inside the souped-up machine, the ba.s.s pumping its steady beat out into the night.

”Maia, c'mere,” Tama Harris yelled.

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