Taut: The Ford Book (Rook and Ronin Spinoff 2)

I shoot her another shut the f**k up look, but it’s actually a pretty good question.

We follow Li around a circular driveway, and then I make a point of pulling up past his car, so I’m in front and pointing down the driveway. Just in case I’m wrong and Li’s not all about the mental health of his youngest daughter and we need to make a quick escape. “No talking until everything’s in place, got it?”

She nods but keeps silent.

We exit the car together and walk up to Li who is waiting at the head of the long stone-paved walkway that leads to the front door. “Beautiful home, Mr. Li. Did you build it yourself?”

“No,” is all he says.

I’m assuming that’s him giving me the shut the f**k up response. I oblige him, it’s the least I can do.

We enter the foyer and I’m staring at an elegant curved staircase that leads up to the second floor. Evelyn looks around like an idiot and I want to pinch her right now, but I can’t. “Nice,” I say to take Li’s attention away from my gaping assistant. “Is Ashleigh upstairs?”

“No, Mr. Aston. I called ahead. She’s in the library waiting for you. You have exactly five minutes and then this is over.”

I smile and walk towards the closed door that he’s pointing to. Evelyn follows, her head buried in her phone again, her fingers clicking out something to keep up the ruse.

He opens the door and I walk in.

Ashleigh is standing by the window, her back to me. “Ash?”

She doesn’t turn and I look over my shoulder to see her father is still behind us. “Private, Mr. Li.”

“Your five minutes are ticking,” he barks as he backs out and closes the door.

“Ash?” I walk over to the window and notice Kate is sleeping in a portable crib. “Ash?” I ask as I tap her arm. She turns slowly around, her head down and her shoulders slumped. “Are you drugged? Did they drug you?”

She shakes her head. “No. I won that battle.”

“Look at me, Ashleigh.”

She lets out a breath and then tips her head up. Her eyes are bloodshot, her face pale, and her hair is all askew. Like she just rolled out of bed. Her clothes agree with my assessment. She’s got on some leggings and a large t-shirt. Last week this was cute as all hell because she was smiling and happy, and most of what she was wearing belonged to me.

But now, this is a sure sign that the depression is worse. I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.

“Ford,” she says through her sob. “I’m not gonna make it. My sister is adopting Kate and—”

“No, Ashleigh. No. Your sister is not adopting Kate.” Ash looks up at me and then notices Evelyn behind me. “That’s Evelyn, Ashleigh. And she’s here to help me.”

“Help you do what?” Ash asks, confused.

“Fight for you, kitten. I’m here to fight for you. Your sister isn’t going to adopt Kate. I am. And you’re not gonna live here anymore, you’re coming with me.”

“But—” She looks hopeful, scared, and defeated all in the same moment. “My father won’t let me leave,” she whispers. “He’s giving my baby to my sister and I have to go back on the drugs as soon as she’s weaned off the breast milk.” She covers her face with her hands so I can’t see her cry.

“Ashleigh,” I say forcefully. “You’re leaving here with me. But I have to ask you something first.”

“What?” she asks as she frantically wipes her eyes.

I tip her chin up to force her to look at me. It takes her eyes a couple of seconds to catch up with her head, and then I see her clearly for the first time since she was taken away. “Can I be on your team?”

She squints.

“I have a ring,” I say hurriedly, because she’s looking confused and not the least bit excited. I pat my coat pocket and remove the black box and then open it up and present it to her. “I’m not very good at this stuff, Ash. I’m sorry, I should take you up in a f**king balloon or get down on a knee, or do it on Valentine’s Day, or bake it in a cake, or pretty much any other way than this right here.” I sigh and wave Evelyn over. “Begin,” I tell her.

“Ashleigh, I’m authorized by San Diego County to provide a California Confidential Marriage License on site to couples who wish to have a private and immediate ceremony. All you have to do is accept Mr. Aston’s proposal, and I will sign the paperwork and declare you married.”

“It’s a shitty way to do this, right? I get it, Ashleigh, It sucks. I hate it. You deserve so much more. I love the shit out of you, I love Kate, and I miss the f**k out of you guys. I’m desperate, Ashleigh. Desperate to get you two back. And I prepared a whole f**king speech to sweep you off your feet and show you I’d fight for you and win you, but f**k. I forgot it. I have a photographic memory and I forgot the f**king proposal I spent all night working on. I’m nervous, can you tell? I’m sorry, I suck at this romantic shit. I’ll let you draw cats and answer all your questions and I’ll let you inside my sphere and—”

“Stop,” she says, putting her little hand against my lips. “Stop talking, you nerd.” And then she laughs and I swear to God, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. “You had me at I will call the police and report you for child abuse.”

“Is that a yes?” Evelyn says.

The library doors open and Mr. Li interrupts. “Your time is up, Mr. Aston.”