Author's Note: Warning: Strong Language.

Chapter 53

The next morning… "Hello Christine it's Spencer."

"Yes Spencer, how is Ashley doing?"

"Depressed, if her sight doesn't come back soon I don't know what's going to happen to her."

"Ashley is stronger than you think Spencer, she's a survivor." "I hope you're right. I'm just afraid she may think she's a burden on me if her sight doesn't come back."

"Spencer don't worry about that, it's only been a couple of days since the explosion."

"I know that but a couple of days can be a lifetime for her. I don't know where her mind is at right now, I don't want to lose her."

"Spencer stop worrying, she will be fine."

"Christine I need to see my dad this morning, will you come and sit with her until I come back?"

"Yes of course. When do you want me to come?"

"Now if possible."

"I'll be there in thirty minutes."

"Thank you Christine."

"Don't thank me Spencer, she's my daughter and I love her."

"Ashley I have to go see my dad, your mom is coming over to sit with you until I come back. Are you okay with that?"

"Do you have to go Spencer?"

"Yes it's important. I'll be back as soon as I can. Dave will be here."

"A lot of good Dave's being here did. My car gets blown up and I can't see worth shit," Ashley said angrily.

Spencer walked over to where Ashley was sitting, taking her hands, she kissed them. "Ashley no one knew that a bomb had been placed in the car. Nor did any of us think to check the car out to make sure no one had tampered with it. Dave and Bruno can only do so much. They feel enormously guilty that they weren't able to protect us the way they should have and they feel bad that you got hurt."

Ashley bowed her head down, "I sorry Spencer, I'm just so angry right now," she said, her hand searching for Spencer's face to caress her lips with the pad of her thumb. "Hurry back, you know I can only be with my mother for so long," she smiled.

"Yes love, I know."

Spencer was about to walk away when Ashley felt her leaving and pulled her back, "Spencer are you okay? I mean with the lovemaking last night in the shower. I know it was too soon for you but I needed you and I was being selfish."

Spencer smiled, "Ashley I needed to be with just as much as you needed to be with me. We needed each other last night. I'm all good," she said as she bent down to kiss her.

Ding dong…

Bruno opened the door to let Christine into the loft. "Christine make yourself comfortable, I shouldn't be too long. I don't want to be away from Ashley any longer then I have to be," she said smiling at Ashley who was sitting on the couch listening to Spencer and her mother.

"Take as long as you need Spencer. This will be a good time to catch up on some gossip with my daughter." Ashley silently sighs.

"Bye Spencer, please hurry back." "I will."

///

Entering the building of Carlin Enterprises Spencer and Bruno got on the elevator to go to the floor her father's office was on. "You know this is the first time I've been back here since the garage incident."

"Yes I know Ms. Carlin, are you okay?"

"Yes I'm fine. It's just a little creepy for me. So what did you find out about the bombing," Spencer sheepishly asked.

"Ooh no, I'm not going to answer any of your questions. We're on our way to see your father, he'll tell you," Bruno replied looking straight ahead.

"Bruno you've known me for a long time…"

"Save it Ms. Carlin, ask your father."

"Traitor."

"I'm not a traitor, I'm just playing it smart," he smiled. The elevator doors opened and they exit walking down the hallway towards Arthur's office.

Knock, knock… "Come in Spencer," Arthur said.

"Dad I… Oh hey Glen, Clay."

"Hey Spencer," they both said. "How's Ashley?"

"Angry and depressed."

"Have a seat Spencer. Now what I'm about to tell you stays in this office and I don't want you going off like a crazed woman. Your brothers and I will handle the situation. Do you understand?"

Spencer looked at her father then her brothers and Bruno, then back to her father. She frowned, "what did you find out, it must not be good."

"Promise me Spencer that you will not go off half cocked," Arthur asked his daughter again.

"I promise."

"We found the man who planted the bomb. He works in demolition for a construction company. It seems that he was tricked into planting the bomb in Ashley's car."

"Tricked!"

"Yes and I'm thinking our bomber wasn't quite as truthful with us as I was led to believe."

"Tricked by whom?"

"Spencer please let me finish." "Trick… by… whom?"

Arthur sighed, "Franklin."

Spencer's eyes widened then narrowed. "Franklin," she calmly said. "As in Franklin my ex-husband?"

"Yes."

Spencer abruptly stood up, her hands clenched at her sides, her face red with anger and her lips hard pressed together. "Franklin hired someone to kill Ashley," she said through clenched teeth.

"It seems so since there was no mistaking who the Aston belonged to…"

"That crazy ass son of a bitch, muthafuckin bastard is a dead man," she angrily said. She turned from her chair heading for the door.

"SPENCER!" Arthur yelled. "Get your ass back here! You promised me."

"Yeah that was before you told me that muthafuckin son of a bitch tried to kill my Ashley, who by the way, if you recall is sitting at home because she can't see," she yelled.

"SPENCER! Calm down and get back over here and sit down!" Clay walked over to her to guide her back to her seat but she snatched her arm away from him.

"He's mine, I want him."

"Spencer let us handle it," Glen said.

"HE BELONGS TO ME!"

"SPENCER, NO! You are too emotional and emotions allow mistakes to be made. I will not, I repeat will not have my daughter going to jail for a piece of shit like Franklin. Your brothers will take care of him. You are going to go home and pack yours and Ashley's bags, get on the company jet and fly to Spain for a couple of weeks."

"SPAIN, NO! NO WAY IN HELL! I want Franklin, I want him DEAD! And I want to be the one to do it."

"Fine Spencer you want him dead, but you're not going to be the one to do it."

"Shit, shit, shit. Why the fuck not? You can't take this away from me. I warned Franklin…"

"Spencer this meeting is over. Bruno take her home."

"Yes sir."

"You're leaving in the morning," Arthur instructed. "I called Maria and told her to get the mansion prepared for your arrival. She's expecting you by late afternoon."

"What! We can't just up and leave, we have to at least tell Ashley's parents."

"Fine, tell them tonight. Have them come to your place or go over there. But you're both leaving in the morning."

Spencer walked out without saying a word to her brothers or father.

"Well I think she held her temper very well," Clay said.

"Call Bruno on his cellphone and tell him to keep a close eye on Spencer. I don't want her sneaking out and taking care of Franklin herself."

"Okay dad," Glen said.

///

"Mom I don't want anything to eat okay. I'm not hungry."

"But you haven't eaten anything except toast and coffee. You need to eat to keep your strength up."

At that moment Spencer walked into the loft. "I'm back."

"Spencer, thank God," holding her arms out. Spencer embraced her.

"What's wrong you're shaking? What happened with Arthur?"

"Nothing, they're still working on who… bombed your car." Ashley heard something in Spencer's voice alerting her that she was lying.

"Christine thank you for staying with Ashley."

"Spencer what did I tell you this morning?"

"Yes I forgot. Christine go home and fix your daughter and me a nice dinner we're coming over tonight."

"You're coming over?" Christine questioned.

"Spencer, I don't want…" Ashley began to say but was interrupted by Spencer.

"We're leaving in the morning for Spain. I think we both need to get away from here."

"Spain!" Ashley exclaimed.

"Spencer you think that's wise? You and Ashley just got out of the hospital."

"Yes we need to get away now. It's only for two weeks. So go home and prepare dinner, we'll be over at eight."

"But Spencer…"

"Go Christine, we'll see you and Raife tonight."

Finally yielding to Spencer's demand Christine spoke to her daughter. "Ashley I'll let you and Spencer tell Raife about your trip."

"Oh joy," Ashley said sarcastically. "I can hardly wait."

When Christine left Ashley confronted Spencer. "Why do we have to leave in the morning Spencer? What did Arthur find out?"

"Nothing, he just wants us to go away while my brothers try to find out who blew up your car."

"You're lying, just because I can't see doesn't mean I don't know when you're lying to me. They've already found out who did it. That's way you were shaking when you hugged me. Was it Edward?"

"It was Franklin."

"Franklin… your ex?"

"Yes, he hired someone to plant the bomb. It was only meant to scare you. At least that's what he told the person he hired but he had other plans."

"Is that what Arthur told you?"

Spencer hissed, "I didn't even sit still for my father to tell me the whole story. Once I heard Franklin's name I went off. Bruno gave me all the details on the ride back here. Franklin wanted you… he wanted you dead," she struggled to say.

"Oh my God… why?"

"I don't know, I wanted to go and have a talk with him but I was told to leave it alone. My father doesn't want us around when he and my brothers confront Franklin."

"Oh my God is he going to…"

"I hope so, he played with fire now he's going to get burnt and it can't be too soon for me. I warned that miserable ass muthafucker not to do anything stupid concerning you. So much for listening. He's dug his own grave. Come on and help me pack our bags, we have to be ready to leave when the car comes in the morning. I also need to find us something to wear to your parent's house for dinner tonight," Spencer said grabbing Ashley's hand and guiding her into the bedroom.

///

Later that evening, Spencer and Ashley arrived at her parent's home. "Dave you and Bruno can go get something to eat if you want. We're going to be here for a few hours."

"No Ms. Carlin we're going to stay right here until you and Ms. Davies are ready to leave. We'll eat later."

"Alright I'll call you when we're ready to go. Come on Ashley there's nothing in your path. Just walk straight ahead."

Ding, dong… Christine opens the door and stretches her hand out for Ashley.

"Ashley, Spencer you're finally here."

"Mom," she said grabbing for the hand she felt touching her.

"Is everything okay Spencer?" Christine asked.

"Yes, everything's fine," she replied with a faked smile.

"Come on in your father is in the livingroom and Ashley," Christine stopped walking to face Ashley and Spencer. "Kyla is staying with us until her hearing. I couldn't find the appropriate time to tell you this afternoon. Especially after you announced you two were going to Spain."

"Why mom, why is Kyla staying here when she has an apartment?"

"She got fired a few days ago and she didn't want to be home alone. She'll probably lose the apartment since she doesn't have a job now, so your father told her she could stay here. She's not very happy."

"She doesn't deserve to be happy with what she did," Spencer said.

"I have to agree with Spencer, she got involved in something she had no business getting involved in," Ashley said angrily.

"Well come on let's go in before your father opens his mouth and I end up being the one to regret what comes out of it."

"Hello dad," Ashley said waiting for him to speak so she could determine where he was in the room.

"I'm in my chair Ashley," Raife said with a look of pity on his face.

"Kyla are you here?"

"Yes Ashley," Kyla replied, watching Spencer take a seat next to Ashley and sighing.

"Hello Raife," Spencer greeted ignoring Kyla.

"Spencer," Raife bellowed, "why did you hit Kyla?"

Spencer brows furrowed, "because she was stupid Raife. She knew Ashley was in danger and instead of helping me she wanted to confess her undying love for me. That she and I were meant to be together. When I realized something was going on, I asked her to tell me and she refused so I slapped her. Several times," she said looking at Kyla. "She's lucky I didn't put my foot up her fucking ass. Does that answer your question… Raife?"

"Uh… yes Spencer it did. I'm sorry for questioning your actions towards my daughter. Kyla you conveniently left that out of your explanation."

"Dad I…"

"You what Kyla, Christine and I have opened our home to you and you still want to lie to us. Kyla the lying stops now if you want to continue to stay in this house under my roof, understand?"

"Yes dad, I'm sorry. Ashley I heard what happened to you and I'm sorry. Do you happen to know who did it?"

"No," Spencer quickly answered watching Kyla fidgeting in her seat. "Why are you so nervous Kyla?" She asked.

Looking at Spencer she started to say something, but turned to Ashley instead.

"Oh Ashley I'm so, so sorry," Kyla said breaking down.

"Why don't we deal with this later, dinner is getting cold," Christine hurriedly said.

"No Christine I want to deal with this now," Spencer said. "Kyla you're sorry about what?"

"Oh God, I'm so sorry," Kyla apologized again sobbing heavily.

"Kyla stop crying and apologizing and talk damnit," Raife yelled.

"Raife you don't have to yell, can't you see your daughter is distraught."

"The engine of Ashley's car was the only thing that was supposed to get blown up. No one was supposed to get hurt. Edward said he wanted to be the one to replace Ashley's car not Spencer. He didn't want her driving around in a car Spencer had given her. So he paid to have it blown up."

"Kyla are you saying Edward is responsible for planting the bomb?"

"Well yes he paid for the bomb to be planted. Someone else helped him find the person to do it."

"Do you know who that other person was?" Ashley asked.

"No, Edward didn't tell me."

"Kyla do you realize Ashley could have died in that explosion? So I guess I should be grateful she's just blind," Spencer said sarcastically.

"Spencer enough," Ashley said softly.

"I didn't know. All I cared about was having you, being with you. I didn't care about what would happen to Ashley. Besides Edward was in love with Ashley, he wasn't going to let anything happen to her."

Spencer stood up, crossing her arms across her chest. "Are you fucking crazy Kyla? That bomb went off after Edward's death. A dead man can't help anybody. You should have told the police that Edward may have planted a bomb in Ashley's car. Then they could have searched for it. But you didn't tell them, did you Kyla?" She angrily stated.

"That's fucking obvious," Ashley mumbled.

"No I guess I must have forgotten about it."

"You guess you must have forgotten. The police questioned you for a full twenty-four hours and it didn't cross your mind once to tell them about the bomb?" Spencer stated again.

"I couldn't remember everything Spencer. They were bombarding me with question after question. I was scared and confused."

"You are some piece of work, you know that Kyla. I think you didn't tell the police about the bomb because you wanted your sister in that car when it exploded," Spencer said.

"That is not true Spencer. I may not care for Ashley but I never wanted her to die and that's the honest truth. I just forgot to tell them."

"I can't believe you Kyla, Ashley is your sister and now she can't see a rat's ass," Raife said.

"Daddy I'm sorry, I can't apologize anymore than I've already have. Ashley I guess your blindness is just one more thing you can hate me for. Not that that changes anything since you've always hated me."

"I haven't always hated you Kyla but you have made it difficult for me to care anything about you."

"Spencer please believe me when I say I love you with all my heart," Kyla said getting up and walking over to Spencer trying to embrace her. Spencer pushed her away.

"I would have done anything to get you away from Ashley," Kyla said.

"Even if it meant him taking her to who knows where," Spencer spat out.

"Yes, Ashley would have been happy with Edward, he would have seen to that."

Spencer raised her hand up and slapped Kyla hard across her face sending her to the floor.

Ashley jumped from her seat hearing the slap. Raife rushed over Kyla, staring at Spencer.

"Spencer, what the fuck!" Raife shouted. Spencer glared at him daring him to say something.

"Spencer I know you're upset with Kyla's explanation but slapping her was unnecessary. I'm afraid my daughter is just stupid right now."

"Your daughter is more than stupid, she's selfish and uncaring."

"Yes I agree but Kyla needs us now. Her hearing is in a month and she's going to need all the support she can get. Will you to be there?" Raife asked while helping Kyla off the floor.

"HELL, No! I'm not going to be there."

"Spencer if they hear from you they may go a little easier on her," Christine said standing next to Ashley.

"Do you two hear yourselves, Kyla was going to let Edward take Ashley away from me, and then after his death she didn't tell the police about the bomb and you want me to go before a judge and say nice things like I forgive her, no way in hell am I going to do that."

"Just think about it Spencer. In a month's time you will have gotten over your anger towards Kyla and her participation in all this mess."

"I doubt it Raife and by the way, Ashley and I are going to Spain for two weeks. We're leaving in the morning."

"Spain… in the morning, what the fuck, that's way off in another country. Ashley is blind and you're still recuperating from your wounds. You two are not fit to travel that far."

"Yes we are. The arrangements have already been made and we're leaving."

"Has everyone gone crazy around here? I forbid it."

"You forbid it. Ashley is my girlfriend and a grown woman. I don't think she needs your permission to go anywhere Raife."

"She's still my daughter. Ashley you are not leaving."

"Yes we are dad. Where Spencer goes I go." Sighing, "mom I'm sorry for ruining your dinner but Spencer and I are leaving."

"But you just got here. Please just stay, the dinner won't be ruined if you stay," Christine pleaded. "I made it at Spencer's request."

"I know and I'm sorry but I think it's best we leave. Come on Spencer I want to go home," Ashley said reaching for Spencer's arm.

Spencer took out her cellphone to inform Bruno and Dave they were leaving sooner than expected. "I'm sorry for the dinner Christine. Maybe when we come back we can all go out to dinner. We'll call you when we arrive in Spain."

"Please be safe," Christine replied giving her daughter a hug before she and Spencer walked out towards the waiting car.