by Ashley Beale
The door is unlocked, so the three of us go our separate ways, being as quiet as possible.
It doesn't take me long to spot the three guys. They all look just as Paul described. None of them even notice the presence of anyone else in the building, as they bicker with one another. I check my gun for the third time, making sure the safety is off.
I have to admit, as many times as I've been pissed off enough to think I could kill someone, the thought of me actually shooting anyone dead is suffocating me. I take several deep breathes before looking around, trying to spot Hope, Paul or dad. None are in sight, and that also scares me. What if Paul is wrong, and someone is near Hope and kills her? What if I can't shoot these guys fast enough and they kill me- then everyone else?
My hands shake. My neck sweats. My body aches. Closing my eyes, I will myself to just do it. Just get it done.
Kneeling down behind a pallet, I aim the gun at the biggest fucker of the three. He is sitting back, eating an apple, while the other two bitch at one another. Sucking in a deep breath, I get the barrel aimed right at his head. As I let the air flow through my mouth, I pull the trigger.
In an instant he is down on the floor. I don't give myself enough time to see if he is dead. I quickly aim the gun at the one standing up, pulling at the hem of his shirt. The panic that strikes me has me only shooting at his shoulder. Another shot fires, but it’s not the guys. I panic, and fire once more, getting the guy directly in the throat. He falls back.
The third guy isn't in the chair anymore. I didn't even see him move.
Standing up more to get a better look, I still don't see him anywhere in the opened area. Three more shots fire back to back off in the distance. I turn around and run full force in the direction of the fires being shot. That is the same moment I hear Hope screaming.
One more shot fires... and her screaming stops.
"Hope!" I yell out. "I'm coming baby, I'm here for you."
I turn the corner that brings me to Hope. She is still alive, but she is tied around a pole, sitting on the ground in front of it. There is something shoved in her mouth, keeping her from yelling out, which means that third guy is nearby. Tears are running down her face, as she shakes it back and forth. I don't see anyone else. I take a step back, but she sees me.
It’s hard to take my eyes off her. It’s even harder not to run and save her, but I know it'd end with at least one of us killed. Probably both.
Another shot is fired and it’s close to me, ringing in my ear. I turn to my right as I watch my dad fall backwards, blood pouring from ears, splattered on his face. As he hits the ground, I watch his head bounce and roll to the side, facing me. His eyes are wide open but entirely lifeless. My stomach twists at the site.
I will myself to be strong, just until this asshole is dead. Taking a step forward so I'm more in view, I aim my gun and start firing shots off. He gets hit in the arm with one bullet but none of the others reach him. When my gun clicks, I know I'm out of ammo. I also know this is the end for me. I'm about to be killed.
I look over to Hope, tears falling from my eyes. "I love you too, Hope. I'm so sorry."
One more fire shots.
Hope
Seven Weeks Later
I place a bouquet of flowers on the lump of grass, resting them against the headstone. A crack of thunder rolls in the distance, warning me I don't have much time to visit today. "Happy Birthday. I wish you could be here to celebrate it."
My eyes go over the dates on the stone. A birth date. A death date.
Resting peacefully six feet under the ground lays a beautiful soul, one that was taken far too young. Then again, I believe we all die too early. It’s not until death faces us full frontal that we realized we never actually lived. Time is wasted too often. I know this now, and because of this, I truly have become a better person.
With another crack of thunder, the clouds above me roll in and the drizzle begins. Saddened my weekly visitation is cut short, I just make a small speech.
"I'm sorry we didn't get to know one another. Like truly get to know each other. I'm sure we could have been the best of friends. It hurts me deeply that you're not here to see another year. I want you to know, I'm living for you. I'll keep living for you. That is my present to you."
Holding my hand over my heart, I close my eyes and envision a life we're promised. A life of resurrection. A paradise on earth. I'll hold onto Faith that one day this will be true. Until then, I'll savor every last dying breath.
On the way home, I call Karah to see if she is going to come out for my girl's night for sure. She had plans with her new flavor of the month but told me she'd try to move things around. I made friends with this girl, Felicia, that attends my group therapy sessions. She is coming over tonight, but I really wanted Karah to join us as well.
"Hey," she answers the phone.
"You coming?" I get straight to the point.
"Oh, you know I am," she says seductively.
I roll my eyes even though she can't see. "To my house... skank."
Laughing hysterically, she finally answers me without being a total perv. "Yeah, Talon said we could do the date at five, so I'll be at your house between seven and eight, depending on how fast our plans go."
"Gross! But okay. See you then."
Since I have a third guest, I decide to stop off at the store before heading home. I'll need extra ice cream and a bottle of rum for tonight’s festivities. I can't throw a birthday party, that'd just be rude, but I can celebrate a life that deserves a celebration.
Six weeks ago I visited with my parents for the first time. Five weeks ago I started group therapy. Four weeks ago I moved out of my group home. So as horrible as things went seven weeks ago when I was abducted and used for ransom, my eyes have finally opened for the first time. I've learned to forgive but never forget- causing me to even forgive myself. I've learned to cherish every person in my life, and every second that passes by.
I spent far too long hating myself for something that couldn't change. I spent the same amount of time wanting to die when I needed to live. I've opened my eyes to a whole new world. One that I love. With people that I love.
Walking into the apartment I call my home, I'm met with the friendliest dog in the world. My fur baby. "Hey Sharmane. Where are my kisses?" I bend down to let her lick at my lips. "Oh, I missed you too," I say against her kisses. She bounces around at my feet while I unload the grocery bags.
A hand slides around my cheek from behind, covering my mouth. Lips placed at my ear send shivers down my spine. "Since you're sending me away for the night with the guys, let me fuck you hard enough you'll feel it in your dreams."
I tilt my head back, resting it upon Wes' shoulder. "Mm," I moan against his hand."
"I take that as a yes?" His voice remains so low and sultry, I can feel myself get wet already. I nod my head, ready for him to take me now. Right here on the counter top if he needs.
He spins me around, pressing me against the island with his body. His erection is greedy, pushing into my abdomen while he looks down at me. His eyes full of so much love. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
Every time he tells me that, I can't help but blush. It still is the most surreal feeling in the world. It took me almost two weeks after being rescued by him for his words to really sink in. I'm it for him. He is it for me. We've found beauty in a world full of demons. We've found love, with each other.
Of course I don't go off spewing this to him, instead I nod my head and smile. "Just every day."
"And?"
"And I love you more."
His lips come down on mine, massaging them together slowly. His arms lift me up to wrap around his body as he walks towards the bedroom.
I enjoy the roughness of Wes in bed. It took him over three weeks to bring back any kind of kinkiness.
After Paul saved Wes by killing the last abductor, Paul took off running, never looking back. Wes was so emotionally wrecked from everything that happened
in that short period of time. His dad dying in front of him. One of his best friends running off without so much as a goodbye, then being killed later that night. All just to save me.
He took me in his arms the second he could and didn't let go, not even when the cops showed up for questioning. I had to spend the night in the hospital with an IV, so my body could heal from the malnourishment... and even then, Wes was beside me, holding tight.
The night I was released, we went straight to his house where he made love to me for the very first time. He was sweet, passionate, gentle... and we both cried. A lot. It was bittersweet. It was something we both needed, even in the horrible timing of events.
The week that followed brought us to two funerals. We were met with a lot of grief that week, more so Wes than I without a doubt. Each night we lay tangled to each other’s bodies, holding on to what was left. Each other.
As we both started to heal from the tragedies, things became easier day by day. Finally one day, weeks after emotional love making each night, I convinced Wes it was time we moved on from it. We needed to be us, once and for all. The first night was awkward, but it brought a spark back into our lives. It gave us a push to improve our lives with one another.
We both have demons to fight still, and we both have regrets, but together we can make it through. Together we want to make it through.
Once we're both dressed again, Wes pulls me into his arms. "I'll miss you tonight."
I roll my eyes at him. He sure has gotten corny, but I adore each second of his corniness. "I'll miss you, too, but I got to get ready. The girls will be here in less than an hour, and you need to go meet up with Tristian and Edison."
"Let’s just cancel and have a night." He kisses my forehead but walks from me towards the kitchen.
Following after him, I tell him, "Tonight is important to me, you know that."
He grabs what was left to put away of groceries and starts putting them where they go. "I know. I'm glad you're doing this for Jenny. She'd be proud."
I lean against the counter and watch him, smiling. I may not deserve living after what happened to Jenny, I may not deserve the gift of love, or the amazing people in my life. But I'll never let any of it go.
The End
Thank you
To my fans & readers: Thank you to everyone who took the time to purchase Ex Convict and read it! I appreciate it more than you could ever know! My fans are amazing… each and every one of you! So from the bottom of my heart, please know how truly blessed I’ve become, all in great thanks to you!
To my family: I love you more than words can even describe. Thank you all for your support and love. I’m not sure where I’d be without any of you!
To my friends: Although I have a select few I keep incredibly close to my heart (and will for eternity), my friends keep growing! I’ve met so many wonderful people on this journey, and each day I feel even more blessed than the day before. I love you all greatly!
To my street team: Better known as my “minions” ;) … YOU LADIES ROCK! I’m constantly wondering how I got so lucky as to have you supporting me day in and day out. I want you all to know I love each one of you tremendously, and I cherish the bond we’ve created with one another. You’re a second family to me!
My editor and beta readers: I couldn’t do it without you! Between the editing, advice, and awesome feedback, I’m not sure where to start thanking you!! You make the writing and publishing process so much easier on me. I’m forever in your debt!
To all bloggers and reviewers: Whether you received an ARC or you purchased a copy of Ex Convict, I thank you for leaving a review! Your feedback is the best support I can receive. Not only are you letting fellow readers know what you loved or didn’t care for, you’re also giving me encouragement and feedback for future projects. Your hard work and dedication is astonishing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
About The Author
Ashley Beale is a self-published, international bestselling indie author of contemporary romance. Although all her novels run in the adult romance genre, each one is uniquely different than the last! Currently Ashley has seven published novels, including Ex Convict. Her first published novel, Burning Attraction, released in July of 2013- that is when Ashley knew that her life would forever be changed. A secret hobby turned into a full time career, in which she loves!
Ashley resides in the state of Maine with her two children, and is surrounded by amazing family and friends. In her spare time, you can usually find her reading or writing, having adventures with her children, shopping, or spending quality time with those around her. Ashley absolutely loves interacting with her fans, and getting to know other writers.
You can contact Ashley any time using Facebook, Twitter or email.
Find out about all of her upcoming novels, book signings, and other events by visiting any of her official sites.
Facebook: Facebook.com/AshleyBealeAuthor
Twitter: Twitter.com/author_abeale
Website: AshleyBeale.com
Other novels by Ashley Beale
The Cassie Series:
Burning Attraction, Fearless Attraction, Lasting Attraction
Through It All
Illusion
Forgive Me
