Through Darker Days - Book 1

9 | Somewhere Safe

Asher's POV

"What do you mean you put a tracker in my bra?" She asks breathlessly once she catches up to me. I chuckle and give her a sideways look. "You should be thanking me, not questioning me Princess," I tell her, looking away. "Wait," she says softly, grabbing my arm.

I stop walking and turn around. "What?" I ask in annoyance. I really want to be back at my apartment sleeping. The night is almost over and I have to work an early shift at the shop tomorrow. "I'm sorry, thank you," she says with a small smile.

"No problem. Let's go. I'm tired as f**k," I tell her and she nods, walking by my side, not uttering another word. Is it crazy I miss the sound of her voice? "Here's my car. I have to work tomorrow, but I'll stop by to check on you. Don't leave the apartment for any reason," I inform her and she nods.

I furrow my brows and ignore the feeling in the pit of my stomach, guilt. I feel guilty for being an ass to her. It's not her fault any of this happened. "Sierra," I say in a softer voice. She looks at me with glassy eyes and I panic. Did I make her cry?

"What's wrong now?" I question a little more harshly than I intend. "N-nothing," she stutters, wiping her eyes quickly. "Let's just go," she says, walking to the passenger door. I unlock the car and she climbs in, closing the door without a second glance at me.

There goes that feeling again.

Sighing, I shake my head and walk over to the drivers side and climb in, starting the car up. I look at Sierra, but she looks away and leans her head on the glass, her warm breath fogging the window. I look away and put the car in drive, heading all the way across town to my place.

At some point during the drive she falls asleep and I slow down, letting her enjoy her sleep. "I'm sorry princess, I really am," I whisper, looking back at the road in front of me. The complex I stay in comes into view and I groan, remembering my apartment got shot to s**t.

I dial Ross's number and wait impatiently for him to answer. "What?" He asks groggily and I roll my eyes. "The keys to the safe house still where they supposed to me?" I ask and he chuckles. "Yeah bro. Sorry, I forgot about your place. How is she?" He asks and I glance at her sleeping figure.

"She's sleeping. Come by tomorrow," I tell him and he groans. "Fine. Later," he mumbles and I chuckle. "Later." After ending the call, I turn the car around and head towards the nearest safe house we have in the city.

After a thirty minute drive, we arrive at the old building I will have to call home for the night. Shutting the car off, I hop out and walk over to Sierra's side, opening the door quietly. I scoop her into my arms carefully and head to the front door after retrieving the spare key.

"Where are we?" Her soft voice asks, her eyes fluttering open before they shut again. "Somewhere safe. Go back to sleep," I tell her and she frowns. "I can walk from here," she mumbles and I chuckle. "I know baby, but I'm not going to let you," I tell her and she giggles. "You're something else," she whispers.

"You take the bed, I'll be on the couch. If you need anything just holler. Okay?" I question and she nods, snuggling deeper into my embrace. "Sounds good," she mumbles, her eyes drifting back closed once more.

I bring her to the room and lay her in the bed gently, covering her small frame with the king sized duvet. She mumbles something before turning over and passing back out.

I chuckle and go to turn around but her small hand grabs mine. "Stay please. I don't want to be alone," she whispers and I smirk.

"Okay princess." I climb in bed next to her and she automatically cuddles up to me, her head resting on my chest. Her legs fling over my body, rubbing against my crotch. I stifle a groan and she sighs in content, unaware of the affect she has on me.

"Goodnight Asher," she whispers and I kiss her head. "Goodnight Sierra." Her soft snores fill the room and I find myself drifting off into a nice sleep, hoping the morning goes by slow. But my dreams are crushed when the sound of my alarm goes off displaying big bold red numbers reading 4:30 am.