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by S J Crabb
Chapter 41
I soon stop worrying about Skylar and Teagan and just enjoy being Ash’s girl. He seems a lot more relaxed and the school seems a happier place. Nobody feels threatened anymore and despite the fact that nobody messes with Ash and his gang there doesn’t appear to be much trouble.
One evening after school I am working at Violet’s. Ash and the guys are eating here tonight and are safely tucked away in the corner. Suddenly I notice his uncle coming through the door and as I look at Ash I can see that he tenses up. I watch as his uncle scans the room and then approaches Ash’s table. Ash is scowling at him and it looks as though they are arguing. Then the gang jump up and leave not looking at anyone as they go. Rushing to the window I see them jump on their bikes and roar off in a cloud of exhaust fumes.
Turning back I see Mr Knight paying their bill and whispering something to Violet. She blushes and he grins at her. Catching hold of the arm of the nearest waitress to their table I ask, “Did you hear what he just said?” Shrugging she looks at me with a bored expression. “Something about a library.”
Fear now washes over me as I hear what she says. No, not the library, surely they wouldn’t. In alarm I race over to Violet. Drawing her to the side I say quickly, “Please Violet, I have to go. Can you spare me for a bit?” Looking surprised Violet can obviously see the panic in my face. “What is it Grace, are you sick?” I am almost crying at the thought of what they may do and almost can’t get the words out. “I need someone to give me a lift, please Violet I wouldn’t ask but it’s an emergency.” Grabbing her keys Violet throws them to Wayne, who works in the bar area. “Wayne take my car and give Grace a lift would you? Then come right back, I’ll cover you until then.” Almost sobbing I hug her. “Thanks Violet, you don’t know how much I appreciate this.”
Quickly I follow Wayne to the car. Jumping in he looks at me. “Where to Grace?” “The library please, and can you get us there as quickly as you can?” Looking worried Wayne drives off and even though the journey only takes about 10 minutes it feels like an hour.
Almost before he can stop I am out of the door and running. I can see the bikes in front of the library and I race over to the entrance. Before I can get there though I am blocked from going in by Lucian. “Sorry Grace, you can’t go in there, strict instructions from Ash, it’s more than my life’s worth to let you.”
I look at him and I can feel the tears running down my face. “Please Lucian, I must go inside you have to let me.” His faces tightens and his eyes narrow. “No Grace, it’s not gonna happen.” I try to push past him but he blocks me so I shout, “Ash come out here, please.” Lucian looks uncomfortable. “He won’t hear you Grace. I’m sorry you’re best just waiting with me, he won’t be long.” Pulling away angrily I race around the back. I know the back way in and all I can think of is my need to get inside.
Reaching the back door I can see that that too is guarded this time by Jace. Standing in front of it blocking my path he looks at me stony faced. “Sorry Grace no can do. No one is going in there not even you.” Tears running down my face I dread what is happening inside. “Please Jace you must let me in.” I can see that it is futile as his face is set in stone and he just looks at me with a hard expression.
Angrily I move away. I feel so helpless. I know that there is nothing I can do. If I call the police the gang would be in trouble and I would never do that to them. There is nobody else in this town who would help me that much is certain. I feel so helpless and sink down on to the ground my head hurting with all of the emotions I am feeling. All I can think of its what’s going on inside the library. Mr Watson will be no match for Ash and his gang and if they hurt him he will be destroyed.
I’m not sure how long I sit here for when I hear the door opening at the front. Sprinting around the side of the building I see Killian coming out followed by Quade. Running towards them I shout, “Let me through.” All I can think of is my need to get inside. If they have hurt Mr Watson then I will do everything in my power to make it right and damn the consequences.
I see the surprise on their faces as they look nervously at each other. Blocking my way they face me looking uncomfortable. Quade says gently, “Grace what are you doing here, you shouldn’t have come?” Angrily I fix him with a withering look. “Just move out of my way, I mean it I’ve had enough of you all telling me what I can and can’t do.”
Before he can answer the door opens and Ash and Jacob come out. Seeing me standing there Ash just laughs and grabs hold of me picking me off my feet and carries me kicking and screaming down the library steps. The others follow in silence and Ash doesn’t stop until we are at the bikes. Depositing me on the back I try to get away but he is too strong and quickly he starts the bike and we are soon racing away closely followed by the others. I feel so angry and worried about what they have done to Mr Watson.
They head back to the diner and as he comes to a stop Ash turns around and looks at me in amusement. This makes me so angry and I glare at him.
He laughs and holds up his hands. “Stop it Grace you’re scaring me.” I do the only thing I can think of and go to punch him wanting to hurt him as he has hurt Mr Watson. Grabbing hold of my arm his eyes glitter dangerously. “Careful little Tess. You’re better than that. Now are you going to tell me what this is all about?”
Looking at him incredulously I shout. “What do you mean, how could you go after Mr Watson? If you have hurt him then I will never forgive you and I mean that.” Suddenly my anger turns itself into grief and huge sobs wrack my body. Holding my hands to my face I cry uncontrollably as I let it all out. I feel Ash pulling me into his chest and I fight to get away. He is too strong and he whispers, “I would never do anything to hurt you and I can’t believe that you thought I would.” Pulling back I look up at him in confusion.
Wiping my tears away with his fingers he smiles softly. “Mr Watson is fine Grace, but ssh don’t tell anyone especially not my uncle.” Looking at him in bewilderment I find my voice. “Then what happened?” Leaning towards me he says softly, “Let’s just say his debt has been paid and leave it at that. We couldn’t let you in because he wanted privacy, not because we had done anything to him. Come to think of it I don’t think that we even touched him.”
I am still confused and my face must look a picture because he laughs and looks towards the diner. “Go and finish your shift Grace. I’ll pick you up later and then you can go and see Mr Watson, I’ll take you.” Looking around I can see the others all leaning on their bikes watching us with interest. They don’t look like they’ve been in a fight and now I am curious as to what just happened. Grinning Ash says, “Go on, get back to work we have things to do.”
Even before I close the door to the diner I hear them roar away. Seeing me coming Violet gestures for me to follow her into the back and once we are safely out of sight of the customers she looks at me with concern. “What was it Grace?” Shaking my head I look at her in confusion. “I don’t know Violet. All I know is that they went to the library and wouldn’t let me in. Mr Knight sent them and I was worried about Mr Watson.”
Violet sighs heavily. “Jake has always hated Mike, it goes way back. He never forgave him for taking Annabelle away from him.” I remember hearing the story but listen with interest to her version. “We all went to school together and Annabelle was a real beauty. Jake was very much like Ash although not quite so dangerous or handsome. He wanted Annabelle but she only wanted Mike. He was really good looking and had a personality to match. They were the golden couple and obviously adored each other. Jake tried everything to split them up but when you find true love it is impossible. There were many fights and he tried all of his devious ways but she was just not interested in him. So instead he set about making their lives a misery. It doesn’t surprise me that it has come to this. Mike was devastated when she died and gave up. Jake saw an opportunity and made sure that nobody helped Mike making it obvious that if anybody did then they would also find things hard. I
feel ashamed of this Town, myself included. We watched as the library failed and Mike gave up. You and your Aunt are the only people who have bothered to try. If Ash and his gang have finished the job for his uncle then we all must take some of the blame in not standing up for him.”
To my surprise she wipes a tear from her eye. In a small voice she says, “I am ashamed of myself Grace, it’s probably too late to help him now but I want to try.” Impulsively I hug her. I can feel her surprise as some of the power in me floods through her and I quickly pull away. Looking at me in disbelief she stares at me. “What just happened? I felt different in some way, what just happened?”
Looking away I quickly pretend to adjust my apron. “I don't know what you mean Violet, maybe you're coming down with something.” I make for the door angry with myself for letting my guard down. I carry on with my job but can feel her watching me and I know that she felt something and can’t understand it. I must be more careful in future, she can’t ever find out.