9. Ashby

Chapter 9

Ashby

I 'm shaken awake, and I blink my eyes open slowly. With a groan, I stretch out my limbs, loving the burn and twinge I feel in my ass and the tender skin over my chest and neck. My eyes fall closed again, and I can feel sleep tugging me under.

"Come on, Ashby," Storm says, and I roll towards the sound of his voice, my arms reaching for him but coming up empty. I frown, a sad sound slipping free, and Storm's chuckle sets warm air blowing across my cheek. "Don't pout, Sunshine. It's time to wake up."

I grumble and roll away from Storm, attempting to burrow back beneath the blankets. A shrill scream bursts from my lungs when the blankets are ripped from my body, leaving my naked body exposed to the freezing air.

"Nooo," I whine, curling into a tight ball. "I don't wanna!"

Storm laughs again and wraps his fingers around my ankle, swallowing it in his big hand. "I know you don't, Sunshine. You never want to wake up. But you weren't supposed to take a nap in the first place. You need to get up, shower and come out and eat something. Elio finished cooking the breakfast you started. He has some updates for us."

I bolt upright, tears burning my eyes. "Fuck! I… I forgot…"

"Sunshine," Storm says in a tender voice he only ever uses with me. "So much has happened in such a short time. Your friend was kidnapped, I came home, and we reconnected. Maybe we should have waited until after your friend was found, but I wasn't willing to do that. You didn't forget. You have a lot on your mind, and you are exhausted. You need your sleep so you can have the energy to find him, and I will let you sleep. Take a shower and meet us in the living room. I'll make you a plate," Storm says and walks out of the room.

I run to the bathroom, turn on the shower and jump beneath the spray without waiting for it to warm. I run soap over my body as fast as I can, then wash my hair and get out. It's probably the quickest shower I have ever taken. Grabbing my fluffy green towel, I run it over my body roughly and drop it to the floor. I pull on the first pair of pants I find, a dark pair of jeans folded at the top of my drawer, and then pull on a black hoodie that has my favorite band on the front. My hair drips down my back, so I grab my towel and use it to squeeze the extra moisture out as I walk to the living room.

"Damn, Sunshine, that was fast," Storm teases as he hands me a steaming cup of black coffee and a breakfast sandwich made with the french toast, bacon, and eggs I'd cooked.

I groan as I bite into the delicious warm sandwich and settle onto the couch between Elio and Storm. Storm grumbles slightly and wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his lap.

"Storm said you have updates?" I ask after eating half the sandwich, but neither man seems ready to talk.

"Nothing good, I'm afraid," Elio says, his voice somber. "Garth and his team couldn't get anything from the video footage. The kidnappers were fully covered, and the license plate was a dead end."

"What about Matthew, the front desk guy?" Storm asks, and I perk up.

"He hasn't given us anything. Your father wanted to save the more… advanced interrogation techniques for when you arrived," Elio hedges as if I don't know what he means.

I can practically feel Storm's excitement. "Well, what are we waiting for! Let's go have some fun!"

The drive to Vince's house is a fast one. I may have moved out to get some independence, but I wasn't ready to move too far from the only people I had left. The long drive to the sprawling estate is lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees Vince had planted when he learned they were Mom's favorite. Vince and my mom are already waiting for us at the front of the house when we pull to a stop.

My anger ignites at the sight of the two of them together, staring down at us with concern. It was their fault Storm abandoned me. Their fault that he left without a word. If they had just trusted that I was a grown man who could make my own decisions or even just spoken to me for five minutes before making their decision, my life wouldn't have been ruined. But they didn't. Mom always treated me like a child who couldn't possibly know what I wanted. She didn't trust me enough to come to me first. She and Vince decided on their own what was best for me, which nearly ruined my life.

The second we step out of the car, Mom races for me, but I step behind Storm, using his body as a partial shield. The hurt in her eyes is instant and obvious. It makes my chest ache, and for a second, I consider pushing my feelings aside and giving her the hug she so clearly wants, but I can't let what she did go without consequence.

"Ashby," Mom says, tears building in her eyes. "Why…"

"Not right now, Mom," I say, my resolve strengthening when I feel Storm's hand on my hip. "There is a lot going on right now. It's not the time to talk about what you and Vince did to me."

Her eyes go wide, cheeks paling as she realizes how hurt and betrayed I feel because of her.

"But…" she says, and Storm cuts her off.

"He said no, Marry. Respect his wishes." Mom's gaze snaps to him, and Vince moves to stand beside her. "There will be time for the two of you to talk later, but for now, someone's waiting for us in the basement."

"Surely Ashby won't be… helping. We can talk while you all do your business," Mom says, and I bristle.

"I'm not a fucking child," I snap. "I am a grown man! If I want to help, then that is my decision. My friend was kidnapped, and I will do whatever it takes to get him back."

I can see Mom readying herself to argue, but Vince wraps his arm around her shoulder and pulls her into his side.

"You're right, Ashby. You're an adult, and this is your decision," Vince says. Mom huffs, glaring up at the intimidating man. Vince pretends not to notice and pulls Mom with him as he heads inside. "Marcus can show you where we have been keeping Matthew."

Marcus, one of Vince's many guards, motions for us to follow.

"I know where the fucking basement is," Storm grumbles, following behind Marcus.

I pat his hand. "I know you do."

Matthew's face is barely recognizable, and his once-expensive suit lays in tatters on the ground. Storm has been working him over for thirty minutes, and I can tell he is about to break. His chest is heaving, his crooked fingers trembling in their restraints, and tears have left trails on his dirty cheeks. I'd never gotten the pleasure of watching Storm work before he left. I wasn't allowed to take part in the family business. I know there's something twisted and broken inside of me because I haven't been able to get rid of the boner I sprouted since he started.

"Please," Matthew sobs, spit and blood spilling down his chin. "No… no more."

Storm scoffs and pats Matthew's cheek in a patronizing and aggressive manner.

"I've barely even gotten started. Don't tell me you're going to fold already." Storm scowls, clearly annoyed his game will be cut short.

"Shortly after I was hired as the front desk attendant, I was approached with an offer," Matthew says to me, clearly realizing I am the one who will listen. Storm grumbles and moves to stand behind Matthew, arms crossed and face twisted into a pout. Fuck he's hot.

"What was the offer?" I ask, keeping my voice soft and comforting.

"They just wanted me to watch your comings and goings and send them weekly updates. I didn't see the harm and could use the extra money, so I agreed," he says, his voice desperate. "That went on for a few weeks, and then they wanted more." He pauses and glances over his shoulder towards where Storm is hovering, twirling a knife between his fingers. "They wanted me to help them get into the building. I refused at first. Information about your coming and going was one thing. Anyone who watched the building would be able to figure that out, but they offered me even more money and… I accepted. It took some time to get everything set up perfectly. I had to sneak into the security office to upload the program to let them shut off the cameras and find a time when you would be home."

"But you failed," I snap, anger churning in my gut. "All your time and effort, and you didn't even get me."

"You weren't supposed to come down, and your friend wasn't supposed to be there. It wasn't my fault." He chokes out a gasp, body folding in half as his breath wheezes from him. Storm grabs his hair and pulls him back upright, removing his fist from the man's stomach.

"Who hired you?" Storm growls.

"I don't know," Matthew rasps, a startled shout slipping free when Storm shakes him roughly with his grip on his hair. "I don't! I only met the man in person once, and he was wearing a hat, sunglasses and a face mask. He was careful not to let me see his face, and when we spoke after that, it was via a burner phone he gave me." Matthew screams as Storm forces his finger backwards, the bone shattering under the force. I cringe as Storm releases his hold and the digit remains twisted at an unnatural angle. "Ple… please," Matthew begs between sobs, snot running down his blotchy face. "He changed his voice, kept himself covered, and never gave away any personal details. The money was left at a drop spot. I swear!" Another crack sounds, and Matthew's last straight finger bends to match the rest.

"I believe you," Storm says, threading his fingers through Matthew's sweaty hair. "Unfortunately, that means you are no longer of use to us."

"No! Wait!" Matthew screams, eyes so wide they look like his eyeballs might fall out. "Please!"

His screams turn to gurgled cries as Storm's blade slices through his neck like butter. Blood spurts into the air, filling the room with the overwhelming scent of copper.

"Fuck," Storm growls, feral eyes racking over my body. I can feel the blood seeping through my clothes and dripping down my neck.

"You couldn't have warned me so I could step out of the way?" I ask, wiping at the blood on my lower face.

"But then I would have missed out on this pretty picture," Storm says, voice husky. I can see the solid bulge tenting his dress pants, and my mouth waters.

"You did such a good job getting the information out of him," I reply, taking a small step toward Storm. I flutter my lashes and lick my lips, peeking up at him in a way I know will make him crazy. "I think that deserves a reward."

"Oh yeah, Sunshine?" he asks, fire burning in his eyes. "What kind of reward did you have in mind?"

"Sit, please," I request, giving his shoulder a light push until he falls into the metal chair across from Matthew's cooling corpse. I fall to my knees before Storm and spread his knees wide, fingers moving to the button on his pants. "Thank you for working so hard to find my friend."

"Anything for you sunshine. You know that." Storm's knuckles turn white where he grips the edge of his seat as I tug his pants down and free his thick leaking cock. "Fuck, baby. Are you gonna suck my cock? Did watching me work get you so hungry for me that you couldn't even wait until we were cleaned off before you had a taste of me?"

I nod, leaning forward to lick my tongue up his ridged length, collecting the pearly bead of precome from the mushroom head. Storm groans loudly, his head falling back. The muscles in his neck strain, and I swear I hear the metal chair creaking beneath his brutal grip.

"Will you help me?" I ask, and Storm's wide gaze snaps to mine. "Show me what you might like?"

I grab his hand and guide it to my hair, showing him how I want him to use me.

"Fuck, Sunshine. I always knew you were perfect, but you remind me of that every day." Without any hesitation, he fists my hair and pulls me to his shaft. "Take it like a good boy. Open your mouth for me and relax your throat."

I try to do what he says but still gag when his tip brushes the back of my throat. I freeze, anxiety filling me as I wait for him to pull back in disgust at the sound. Instead, he moans, pulls back enough for me to take a breath, and pushes forward again. He moves slowly, keeping his thrusts gentle at first.

"Are you ready for more, Sunshine?" Storm asks once I've managed to stop gagging and figured out the best way to breathe through the invasion.

I try to answer, but my words come out garbled with his dick still pressing down on my tongue.

"Good boy," he purrs. "Deep breath for me. Tap my thigh twice if you need me to stop."

I tap once to let him know I heard and take a deep breath. Storm surges forward, his cock pushing in until my nose rests in his pubes. My throat convulses, and I gag. Storm moans loudly, his head falling back once more.

"Fuck, baby! You feel so good! So tight and wet around me!" He pulls back after a moment, and I suck in another deep breath before he slams back in. My own dick aches in my pants, loving the ecstasy I see on his face. I did that; I put that look there. I reach for my pants and free my erection, taking it in my fist. I pump myself in time with Storm, his sounds and pleasure pushing me towards my own release.

"I'm gonna come, Sunshine," Storm rasps, his gaze hooded as he looks into my eyes. "Fuck, what a little slut. Are you going to come?" he asks, his foot pressing against my hand where I'm working myself. He grinds his heel into my cock, and I whimper, my eyes rolling as pain and pleasure flood my veins. Storm moves a hand to my throat, squeezing as he continues to work his length into me. "I can feel myself inside you. God, you're fucking perfect!"

My head grows cloudy as he cuts off my oxygen. He presses his foot harder against me, and just as black spots start to dot my vision, he pulls back and releases his hold on my neck. My orgasm rips from me, soaking my fingers and the floor in front of me. I'm faintly aware of the taste of Storm hitting my tongue, and I lap at him, moaning softly and sucking every drop I can. Storm grips my arms and pulls me to my feet.

"Such a good boy for me. My perfect Sunshine," he coos, brushing his thumb through the come, spit and blood covering my chin. "Let's get cleaned up, and then we can tell Dad what we learned."

I nod, and he scoops me into his arms, carrying me from the room.