Chapter Eighteen
Ash saw Curtis leave the building with Hunter and two other guys he didn't know. He gave James' arm a tug and headed towards the apartment after making sure Curtis had definitely left.
He followed the directions Curtis had given to him, unlocked the door and made his way to where Blake and Poppy were supposedly being kept. He had called Blake in the lift and she had actually sounded relieved to hear his voice for once.
They unlocked the door and Ash allowed himself to be pushed roughly aside while James ran into the room.
Poppy squealed and ran into James' open arms to bury her face in his chest. He stroked her hair and whispered in her ear. Ash thought he could see James' eyes mist over but he turned away to look at Blake before he could be sure.
She had stood back from James and Poppy and was looking tired and defeated but still beautiful. She managed to give him a weak smile.
"Thanks, Ash. I owe you one."
He shrugged. "No prob. You look like shit run over twice by the way."
Blake scowled at him. "Let's just get out of here okay?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me," he agreed readily, looking over his shoulder nervously. He slapped James over the head lightly. "Come on Romeo. We're heading out."
As they made their way out the door, Ash saw Blake look down at the key that had been left in the handle. She frowned but didn't comment as Ash removed it and slipped it back in his pocket. In the foyer, he entertained a thought of keeping it but Curtis had trusted him and he never broke his word. He left it on the reception counter.
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"So how did you do it?" Blake asked as they drove back to the mansion. They were taking James' car and Ash had firmly said that he would be driving this time. James had agreed easily enough and was now huddled with Poppy in the back seat.
Ash glared warningly in the rear view mirror at James who had just opened his mouth to speak. His mouth closed and he turned away to talk to Poppy again.
"I broke into Curtis' apartment," he lied. "Found the spare key and you're number."
There was a silence. "That was lucky of you," Blake said slowly. "You still have the key right?"
Ash paused, his hands tightening on the steering wheel for a moment. "Ah, no."
"What? Where is it?" Blake demanded angrily.
"I think I must have lost it." Ash winced inwardly. That was definitely a lame one.
"You're telling me you had Hunter Redfern's apartment key and you lost it?" Blake screeched. "Are you insane?"
Ash took a moment to consider the last question. Finally he nodded. "Yeah, probably," he agreed.
Blake glared at him then turned out the window.
She was grateful towards Ash, who had obviously been the one to get them out considering what a wreck James was. And relieved. But there was just something niggling away at her. She almost wished that she had stayed there so that she could perhaps see Curtis again and talk to him.
She wanted to ask him why he had betrayed her trust and had went and gone through her apartment. She wanted to ask him why he hadn't helped her when she'd needed him.
But most of all, she wanted to know if he still loved her. And if he did, would he ever forgive her for lying to him?
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Their reception at the Daybreak headquarters was loud to say the least. Everyone had been waiting in the main room for them as soon as they'd realized that James, Ash and Poppy were missing. When they entered the room there was a general roar of yelling. Everyone was screaming that they shouldn't have been so irresponsible to leave without telling anyone and all of them declared themselves to be worried sick.
When Blake entered behind the first three, the room fell silent.
"What the hell?" Jez Redfern asked from Morgead's side, her silvery eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"Blake?" Rashel queried. "What are you doing here?"
Everyone's eyes were on her and Blake squirmed uncomfortably. She had vowed that she wouldn't come back here a failure. Yet, here she was. Again.
"I, uh, well," she began roughly, unable to avoid the stammer of her words.
Typically it was Ash who rescued her in his usual bantering style. "Poor Blake got gunned down. I told you guys that no one could have handled a mission like that. I mean, she got pretty damn close I can tell you," he continued, as if Blake had told him everything. "But I know Hunter, and the guy may have shocking dress sense but he is sharp." He shook his head ruefully and nodded, eyes wide. "I'm not joking. He would have to be the sharpest guy I know and we all know how many people I know."
The silence was loud and long. Blake swallowed and remained silent, studying the floor.
It was Jez who spoke first. "Really?" She drawled.
Ash looked up at her; his eyes hard and narrowed. "Really." He repeated, adding his own emphasis to the word in a voice that broached no argument. Jez rolled her eyes and looked away.
Blake looked up to see Rashel approaching her. The Cat's green eyes were clear and welcoming and the arms that wrapped around her shoulders in a reassuring hug were warm.
"Come on," Rashel said softly, keeping an arm around Blake's shoulders and leading her out of the room. "I know there's more to tell than you're letting on so come with me and spill. We'll get you cleaned up too because honestly, Blake? You look like shit run over twice."
Blake almost laughed. Almost.