I can practice. Now I just have to figure out if I try my luck by myself or take Rusty up on his offer. Right now he’s the only person I know around here other than my landlord.
Oh, what the hell. I pull out my phone and dial Rusty up before I lose my nerve.
He answers on the second ring. “Yeah? Who is this?”
“Ashlynn,” I say softly. I can hear the smile in his voice as his tone smooths the bark from a moment ago.
“Hey, babe. What time is it?” He sounds a little groggy, like I just woke him up.
“Oh God, it’s early. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“No, that’s fine. I’m up now. So, did you pick it up yet?”
“Yes. Last night.”
“You want me to meet you at your place in about an hour? Give you a lesson?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, and you don’t have other plans, that would be great.”
“Nothing planned I can’t change. Just let me grab a quick shower first.”
“Okay, do you have a piece of paper? I’ll give you the address.”
“Already got it.”
“What? How?”
“Memorized it when you filled out the paperwork.”
“You snoop!”
He chuckles. “I’m not a stupid man, Ashlynn. See you soon.”
Before I can reply, he disconnects. My mouth drops open, and I pull my phone from my ear, staring at it. “What the hell!”
I smile and shake my head. No, the man is not stupid. I sip my coffee, set the mug down, and pick up the laptop I bought. I open it and pull up the Internet. I spend the next hour checking all the news outlets in Vegas, searching for the murders at Peerless Tower, but there’s nothing. It’s like it never happened. I can understand if they disposed of the bodies and cleaned up the place, that maybe no one has missed Ricardo Leona yet, but surely someone would miss Thomas, that sweet butler. I bite my lip and rack my brain.
Okay, maybe he was a bachelor or widow who lived alone. But wouldn’t Axle notice he’s gone missing? I pull up news about Axle and see he’s still on tour. He might not be home for weeks.
My God, what did they do with the bodies? Poor Thomas. He didn’t deserve to die like that.
I call Devon, just to check in.
The phone rings a few times. “Hello.”
“Hi Devon. It’s Ashlynn.”
“Hey, girl. How are you? Everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine. I’m settled somewhere far away.”
“Good. You haven’t had any trouble have you?”
“No, none here. What about there?”
“Nope, no trouble, and no one’s been snooping around. Gotta say, though, the hotel is all a buzz with your sudden departure.”
Shit. I know if anything ever comes of it all and an investigation is opened, Axle will send the police straight to the Del Sol to interview me. When they find I’m gone, I’ll be wanted for questioning. I take a deep, slow breath. Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ashlynn. That hasn’t happened yet. “I’m sorry I had to leave that way.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me, honey. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“So… no one else has come around with questions?”
“Nope. It’s been business as usual.”
“Okay. Good. That’s good.”
The rumble of a motorcycle coming down the highway breaks into my thoughts, and I close the laptop. “I’ve got to go, Devon. Thank you.”
“Keep in touch, Ashlynn, and take care of yourself.”
“I will. Bye.”
The bike slows and turns down my gravel and dirt drive. It’s Rusty.
I get up and move through the house to the back door. I skip down the few steps to the yard and over to the gravel drive to watch him roll up.
He looks good on the bike. He handles it like it’s an extension of his body, rolling easily over the bumpy drive and stopping a way back from my car that’s parked in front of the detached garage.
He drops the kickstand, swings off, pulls his helmet from his head, and smooths a palm over his hair.
He walks toward me, and damn, the man has the sexiest walk ever. His eyes sweep over me, and the things that does to me.
“Hi,” I say lamely.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He looks around the property. “Nice place. You like it out here, Vegas?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t call me that if you expect me to answer.”
He chuckles, his eyes lingering on my face.
To fill the silence, I finally do answer him. “Yes, I like it out here. Surprising, I know. It’s a big change, but maybe it’s just what I needed. I like the