The next day, Hayley kept calling him to ensure that he was well. Ashton spent the entire day at home, not stepping out in case Antonio and his men grabbed hold of him. A nagging fear crept into his heart but he couldn’t hide for long.
A simple phone call from an unknown number disrupted his mental peace.
“Hello!” he croaked into the phone.
“Pierce, come over immediately to Don’s mansion. He wants to meet you,” said a male voice that was unfamiliar. Who could it be?
“Who’s speaking?” he demanded agitatedly.
“Kingsley here. You better turn up or I’ll capture your bi*ch.” He abruptly disconnected the call but Ashton couldn’t help the feeling of dread that crept into his heart. Why did Kingsley call him instead of Antonio?
“Ashton, come over for lunch,” said Jodie Van Every.
He went over to the dining table and found his Uncle Daniel watching the television. He sat down beside him and watched the news, too.
“Justice for you, Ashton. This morning, the CBI captured Antonio Lombardi, who works for Salvatore Gambino. He took over as Don’s righthand man after Romano Ferrari died in a police encounter. They had been hunting for his Maserati for a long time.” Ashton’s jaws dropped with horror, the food lying in front of him forgotten. He watched the news following the secret operation that had been launched to nab the criminal. The report showed the number of crimes he had committed, all leading to his boss, the Don, Salvatore Gambino.
“I think your kidnapping has the CBI hunting for Romano’s Maserati that Antonio uses.” Ashton sat in a state of panic. He knew it wasn’t his kidnapping actually, but the murder attempt last night and the FIR he lodged that eventually led to his arrest. Last night’s attack was sudden, and Antonio didn’t get to erase any footage from the traffic surveillance cameras. The traffic police might have traced him easily.
Now he realized the reason for Kingsley’s call. They wanted to capture him for causing Antonio’s arrest. So, even if he didn’t go, they would seek him out and capture him anyway. He wasn’t safe anywhere. Even Hayley’s, and his foster parents’ lives were in grave danger.
There was only one way out. He had to leave for a few days and hide somewhere till everything died down.
After lunch, he called Hayley to warn her of the impending threat.
“Good to hear that he’s been arrested. He deserves it,” said Hayley, not realizing the implications. Obviously, she knew nothing about what was going on.
“Do you realize what this means? We both are in grave danger, especially me. Now Gambino won’t leave me at all. I might go into hiding for a few days. Don’t worry about me. You too take care. Appoint a bodyguard for yourself for a few months. Don’t take this lightly, Hayley. Do you understand me?” he asked agitatedly.
“Yes. I’ll talk to Dad about it. Where will you go, Ashton?” she asked in a state of panic.
“Let’s see. Don’t worry about me.”
“I will always worry about you. Please take care of yourself.”
Ashton disconnected the call and immediately booked a ticket to Miami, Florida. He could go to Hotel Bayview and hide for a few days. He packed some essentials and went up to his parents’ room to inform them.
“Are you going somewhere, Ashton?” asked Aunt Jodie worriedly.
“Yes, I’m going for an interview. I’ll update you later, after I get the job.”
“Can’t you go after a few days? Your life is in danger after Antonio’s arrest. Do you realize that?” scolded Daniel Van Every.
“Yes, I’m aware. I’m going to a safe place to hide, Uncle Daniel. Don’t worry about me. I want you both to be careful.”
He left as discreetly as possible, boarding his flight and escaping to Miami, informing no one. He switched off his phone and used the new one he had bought for himself.
In the meantime
After consulting her dad, Hayley approached the security service company, which provided capable security personnel for their office. They sent their best bodyguard, Henry Stewart, who was a veteran US Marine. With him around, Hayley could commute safely. She missed Ashton. He hadn’t contacted her since his last phone call. With his phone switched off, she couldn’t message him too.
It had been almost four days since Ashton had left. Hayley returned home after a hectic day at work. However, her eyes popped out to see her mom and granny gearing up to entertain guests at dinner.
“Who’s coming over to dinner?” she asked Aunt Meredith.
“Jason, who else?” she rolled her eyes and went away to her room, leaving her stunned. She remembered Eva’s message before she left her house. Being busy with work, she had completely forgotten about it. Now realizing that her parents would force her to meet Jason, Hayley felt desperate to escape dinner. She stormed towards her room to change and then leave to go to Alyssa’s house for the night.
“Hayley, good to see you home early. Jason is coming over to dinner. Change into something nice,” said her mom, looking excited.
“Why have you invited him, Mom? I hope this has nothing to do with me. I’m going out tonight.” Her mom turned to face her.
“Yes, this has everything to do with you. Jason still wants to marry you and we too want the same. Stop the attitude and get ready now.”
“No, I won’t get ready and neither will I marry Jason Lowells. How can force me to marry someone eleven years older than me? How can you force me to marry a man who has murdered his first wife? Did you ever think about why he is still single? Because everyone knows he’s a murderer. No woman wants to marry him, Mom.” There was a pin-dropped silence all around as her mom froze with shock. Even her granny, her dad, her uncle, and her aunt stood listening to her with surprise. No one knew about his dark past.
“How can you be so sure about this?” asked her mom.
“Hire a PI and find out for yourself if you don’t believe me. I will sever all ties with you if you force me.”
“I’m sure that Pierce boy is stuffing her head with shit against Jason,” said Granny with an eye roll.
“It’s okay, Mom. I’ll have Jason’s past investigated before accusing others. Hayley is my only daughter and we can’t afford to take a risk,” said her dad. Hayley smiled at her father, feeling relieved that at least someone in her family understood her.
“I support bro on this. Till we find out the details about Jason, no one will force Hails to have dinner with him,” said Uncle Robert.
“Thank you, Uncle Robert. Dad, Can I go to Alyssa’s house tonight?”
“Sure, but Henry will accompany you.”
“Thank you, Dad. You’re the best.” She went up to her room to freshen up quickly and inform her friends about her plans. Later, she packed an overnighter and left for Alyssa’s house.
“Hurry, come in. We’re video-calling Sienna in a few minutes,” said Eva, pulling her inside.
“Have you taken Alexander’s permission? Didn’t he overreact as Ashton did?” asked Hayley with surprise.
“No, we haven’t told him. Alex will never agree, so we’re planning to sneak out,” said Alyssa, making Hayley’s eyes go round with horror.
“How will you sneak out? Preston Island is right here in NYC if you’ve forgotten,” reminded Hayley with an eye roll.
“I don’t think he will follow us. He hates Lucas and his brothers. Anyway, let’s set up my laptop for Sienna’s call,” said Alyssa. They all huddled around the dining table when Skylar and Sienna joined in the video call.
“We’ll go on Thursday. My leave application needs to be sanctioned at the hospital first,” said Eva. Alex stormed up behind them.
“What’s going on?” he asked them.
“No, don’t tell him!” screamed Alyssa but Eva had already blurted out their plans.
“What? You guys are going over to attend Donnelly’s wedding? Alyssa, are you out of your mind?” he yelled angrily.
“Bro, Sienna is marrying Lucas. We have to be there for her.” Alex turned towards the screen.
“I’m not letting these two go alone. I’ll be there as well,” he said in a displeased tone and walked away, leaving them gaping.
“What was that? Why doesn’t he want you to attend my wedding?” asked a bewildered Sienna.
“He’s just being immature. He used to study at the same school as Lucas and his brothers. They were enemies back then,” said Alyssa.
“So? Are you guys coming or not? I don’t want Alex to come here and fight, please!” said a worried Sienna.
“We won’t take him along. We’ll sneak out tomorrow without telling him the address,” said Alyssa with a giggle.
“Are you sure?” asked Sienna.
“Chill! I’m used to his ways. He’ll calm down after a few days. It’s not me who’s marrying into the Donnelly family, after all!” said Alyssa with an eye roll. They all laughed.
Hayley would arrive by Thursday evening, after work. She made a list of things that Sienna would need for her wedding.
“I’ll get these with me on Thursday. Anything else?” asked Hayley.
“No, that would be all. Who’s getting my bridal bouquet?” asked Sienna.
“I can. Give me your specifications. By the way, we’ll wear turquoise bridesmaid dresses, girls. Agreed?” asked Eva.
“Great! We’ll look like mermaids,” said Skylar. “I’ll come with Christian on Friday. He won’t let me out of sight. I’m his prisoner, you see,” said Skylar with an eye roll.
“Is he hot?” asked Alyssa with an eye roll. Skylar stuck out her tongue at her.
“Drooling hot!” said Hayley with a laugh.
“You’re welcome to swap places with me,” said Skylar with a laugh.
“No, thank you,” said Hayley. They all laughed and discussed the wedding more, and planned more. Hayley wondered if Alexander would go to Preston alone. He always involved his partner in crime, Ashton Pierce!