JAXON"What the fuck do you mean by you can't find the files?" I barked into the phone, my thunderous voice dripping with fury. I tucked my hand into the pocket of my slacks, maintaining a rigid stance as I stared straight ahead, clenching the phone tightly in my grip with a deep frown resting upon my face."Sir__""I don't care how you are going to do it. If you are going to turn the whole building upside down to find the fucking file, do it because if you don't, I will be sending your head on a platter as a souvenir to your fucking family,""Understood?" I demanded, my threats earning me a round of shaky silence from him. "Ye..yes, sir." He stammered."Now, get the fuck off my phone and get to work!" I bellowed, hanging up on him. I groaned out in frustration, raking my hands through my hair. I tucked my phone in my pocket, the soft clicking of heels behind me piquing my attention.I spun around, sharply and my breath got caught in my throat at the sight of her descending the stair

ASHLEY"Arden!!!""Fuck!""Arden, look at me!""Baby, look at me!"Those words kept playing over and over in my head, shattering me.You know that feeling when you have just stumbled upon a new song and you love it, then you slowly become obsessed with it, replaying it on repeat for the longest because you can't get enough of it? Yeah, imagine it the other way around because that was exactly how I felt, except this wasn't my favorite music. This was my worst nightmare replaying over and over again in my head, scarring me, tormenting and stripping me of my sanity.And no matter how hard I tried to shut it out, it came back stronger, resurfacing and shoving the harsh, bitter truth in my face. The guilt that consumed me and ate me up was unfathomable to me. It gnawed at me, draining every ounce of emotions I had left in me. It would have been better if it just overwhelmed me all at once and I wouldn't have to feel this way anymore but it didn't. It was slow, torturous, and unending.I wa

ASHLEYWith the satin robe that was draped over my nakedness, I could still feel the chilly breeze on my skin, which caused me to drape it around my body, even more, my eyes wandering around the surroundings that led to the hot tub. I could do some stretching of my legs and Maria aided in getting me out of my room since she has been on my case after I stepped out of my room for the first time in a week. I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend the night.I hated to admit that she was right when she told me I couldn't stay in there forever.My steps grew slower and I paused, assessing the steam that oozed off the seemingly scalding liquid. I advanced to the brick-like seat, my eyes doing a quick survey of the area and when I saw no one in sight, I shrugged the black material off my body, causing it to pool at my feet. I picked it up and threw it on the seat, stepping forward. The thought of stepping into the water made me swallow, so I took a leap and dipped my finger into the

ASHLEYI missed this.I missed being held by him. I missed being flushed against his chest as he snuggled me to sleep. I still couldn't bring myself to believe that he was awake, holding me in his arms. It felt so surreal because I felt like if I let him go, he might disappear from my side and just fade into nothingness. I didn't want to go through all I went through the last time.My lips twitched in my sleep as I snuggled into him, even more, desperate to feel his arms around me. But then, every trace of the smile on my face was completely wiped off when I felt him jerk in my arms, muttering profanities under his breath. His hold grew tighter, almost as though he wanted to squeeze out every ounce of breath I had in me. My eyes snapped open, instinctively, his nails digging into my bare skin and I winced. He was having a nightmare.Again.My eyes flitted to his restless frame tossing and turning in his sleep, his body drenched in sweat. My heart lurched to my throat, blood pounding

ASHLEYA soft, tired sound rippled from my chest and I turned on my side, sighing softly. I slowly peered my eyes open, muttering profanities groggily. My eyes locked in a stare with mischievous green ones that gazed at me beneath those thick, long, and dark, dark lashes. My lips automatically curved in a smile and I chuckled, shifting my head on the soft pillow. The light that peered from the bright chandeliers filtered into my eyes all at once but I would be damned if I shut my eyes because I knew there was no way in hell that I could ever get enough of those green eyes watching me.Heck, if it were any other person watching me sleep I would probably be freaked out of my mind but it was only Arden that would watch me sleep and I would feel goosebumps sprouting all over my skin, my breath hitching at the intensity of his gaze. His avid green orbs sparkled beneath the lights, brightening the whole room with the vivaciousness that swam in them. They were warm yet intense, scouring eve