Ash Rising (DEAd Series) Read online

  “Surprised?” Her mouth twisted into a smile as she walked toward him. His uneasiness grew, but he held his ground. No reason to be uncomfortable around Lisa, after all.

  “Um, a little. I wasn’t expecting anyone tonight.”

  “No one? No company tonight? No girls?” She made a tsking noise as she approached. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Yeah, well…” How the hell should he respond? What the hell was she doing?

  “Good thing I’m here, then.”

  “Lisa, look—Huh?” Okay, yeah. The weirdness vibe pushed him a step back.

  “You’re leaving, and I wanted to be sure you know how much I appreciate you bringing me home last weekend, taking the time away from the graduation party. It meant a lot. Last night, too, sticking up for me with Greg. No one’s ever been there for me like you have.”

  “Ha. Ha. Yeah. Andy, Daniel, and I are always here for you, you know that.” He forced a smile. “Hey, do you want a drink or something? Are you hungry? There’s some beer and wine in the kitchen.”

  He took a step to get out of the study and into a more open, less intimate space, one where he could maneuver and put the big granite counter between them. She smiled and placed the flat of her palm on his chest, running her fingers over his collarbone before giving a gentle shove. Ash let himself be pushed back. Last thing he wanted was to get physical with her. The backs of his knees hit the leather chair, and he dropped before he realized his mistake. Lisa’s smile grew smug. She stepped closer and lowered herself to straddle his lap.

  “Lisa.” When his hands gripped her waist, she wiggled with a satisfied hum. Ash gritted his teeth. If he didn’t know down to his bones the situation was wrong, the fact that he had absolutely no reaction to a beautiful woman wriggling over his dick proved the point. “Don’t, sweetheart. Don’t do this.”

  “Ash.” She stroked his cheek. He let go of her waist to take her hand in his and lift her fingers.

  “Lis, you don’t want—”

  “Yes, I do.” The stubborn, determined look he knew too well flashed across her features. “You’re the one constant in my life. The one person I can count on, sad as that is. Last weekend after the party, and the other night with Greg… I just want to say thank you.”

  “Uh. You’re welcome. But you don’t need to thank me.” He tried to lift her off his legs, but she clung tenaciously. “Especially not like this. I did what anyone would do for a friend.”

  The first hint of irritation flashed in her eyes. “This is exactly what I want. I want you.”

  “No, you don’t.” He stood, taking her by surprise, which enabled him to set her on her own two feet. “Just because—”

  She leaned against him and wrapped her arms around his neck to force his head down. Ash grasped her wrists and took a deliberate step away. “Lisa. I said don’t.”

  Lips parted and eyes wide, she stared at him and took a deep breath before her gaze narrowed. Color rose in her cheeks as she took a quick step backward, and Ash watched her warily.

  “You don’t want me,” she stated in a low tone.

  “No.” He had to be clear and blunt after her insistent antics. “I’m sorry. You don’t want me, either. Not like that. You know you don’t.”

  Ash cursed Greg—not for the first time. The shit that asshole pulled undermined Lisa’s usually unshakable self-confidence and let her emotions overrule her good sense. If he could come up with an option other than rejecting her…but anything even remotely sexual between them was not the answer. Not going to happen. He cared about her too much.

  He reached out to rub her shoulders, to hug her, maybe, but she shrugged his hands off and turned her back. Mouth opening then snapping shut, he stared at the rigid set of her spine and eyed her with caution.

  “I’m sorry.” Voice dead and toneless, she didn’t turn to look at him. Ash took a step toward her but froze when her body tensed. “No. Don’t. Just…don’t.”

  He heaved a sigh as she bolted from the room and out of the house, the slam of the heavy front door echoing in her wake.

  “Fuck.” He scrubbed his hands over his face.

  He had no idea what the hell just happened.

  Ash didn’t sleep much with the events of the night playing over and over in his head. He hadn’t called Lisa to check up on her, hadn’t made sure she’d made it to her apartment like he always did. Everything had changed the night he’d taken her home from the graduation party. What the hell had he done that changed her attitude toward him? They’d been best friends for eighteen years with nothing sexual between them. Still wasn’t, as far as he was concerned, but something had shifted for her. Shit. No idea what.

  With a yawn and a stretch, he entered the kitchen and thanked the caffeine gods for timers on coffee makers. He’d finished one cup and started on a second when a car pulled up in the driveway. A few seconds later, Daniel’s footsteps rounded the house and thumped across the back deck. He filled another mug as his friend rapped on the door and stepped inside.

  “Morning. Hey. For me?” Daniel grabbed the mug before Ash could respond and inhaled the wafting steam. His eyes closed as he took a scorching gulp. “Ah. Thanks, man.”

  “Morning. What are you doing here? Why is everyone showing up unannounced all of a sudden?”

  Daniel’s eyes popped wide and color filled his face. “Is someone else here? Oh, shit, I’m sorry. You said… I didn’t think you had company last night.”

  “I don’t have a girl here. I told you I had business to take care of yesterday.”

  “You were being serious? You—” Daniel choked on his coffee and waved a hand in front of his face. “You really did work instead of a girl last night? Um, wow.”

  “Shut up.”

  “So, who stopped by unannounced?”

  “Lisa.”

  “Lisa?” Daniel’s brows were getting a workout. “Lisa was here last night? When? What did she want?”

  Ash shrugged and turned to make another pot of coffee. Daniel knew him too well. If he picked up on his discomfort, Ash would never hear the end of it. No one needed to know what happened the night before, mostly for Lisa’s sake. She’d be embarrassed as hell once she came to her senses. Maybe they could just forget the whole situation and move on. Good thing he was about to leave for his new job assignment. Some time apart might not be a bad thing after all.

  “I guess she wanted to say thanks for the whole Greg thing over the past couple of weeks. She appreciated us being there for her.” Ash deliberately included all of them in reference to Lisa’s gratitude, but did a double take at the look on Daniel’s face. “What?”

  “Did she say anything about what happened last night?”

  “What? No. What about last night?” If something happened to her because he hadn’t seen her home—because she’d made him uncomfortable—he’d never forgive himself.

  “Well, she might not know. Andy was going over to her place.”

  “Daniel.” Ash fought for patience. “What happened?”

  “Ash, Greg died last night.”

  “What?” Holy shit. Pretty much the last thing he’d expected Daniel to say, and he hoped like hell Greg’s death had nothing to do with what happened between them the night before. He hadn’t hit him that hard when he slammed his arm across his throat. “How?”

  “Drove his damn car into a tree. Pronounced on the scene.”

  “Drunk?”

  “Don’t know yet. Won’t have a report for a while.”

  “Well, shit.” How was he supposed to take that news? He’d never liked Greg, had wanted to pound on him at the bar the other night, but…shit. Still sucked to hear about the man’s sudden and violent death. “Was the girl with him?”

  “Yeah.” Daniel’s face twisted, but he took another sip of coffee. “Both dead. Andy went to tell Lisa. He didn’t think she should hear from some random news report or something, but I’m sure that’s not the only reason.”

  Ash let the comment pass, well
aware of Andy’s feelings for Lisa. “How did you find out so fast?”

  “Andy heard it on the scanner.”

  “Any details yet?’

  “From what he said, sounds like Greg lost control and went full tilt into a tree. Won’t know more until they’ve had a chance to investigate.”

  “Wow. Just…wow.”

  “Right?” Daniel drained his mug. “So, what’s on your agenda for the day?”

  “Packing.” Ash ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “You want something to eat?”

  “Of course.” Daniel pulled out a barstool and sat at the counter while Ash rummaged through the refrigerator, emerging with orange juice, eggs, and bacon wrapped in white butcher paper. “You know, I’m going to miss you, man.”

  Ash tossed a grin over his shoulder. “Quit staring at my ass.”

  “Hard not to. You’re just so dreamy,” Daniel teased in a high falsetto, and Ash snorted. “But seriously. Lisa will be underfoot all the time, working at the hospital, and with Andy pulling that sweet airport duty—”

  “How the hell did he get that and I get Buttfuck, Saskatchewan?” He had better contacts than Andy, what with his dad being a high-profile lawyer and close friends of the Commissioner. Not to mention Ash’s contact with the Commissioner’s daughter…

  “He didn’t have this crazy idea of being part of the most elite undercover division the Mounties have,” Daniel reminded him. “Who knows when we’ll see your ugly mug?”

  “I’ll be back when I can.” Ash rubbed his hands together and started on the food. “I’m going to miss you guys, too, but this is what I’ve always wanted. A shot at undercover. Working for Pete Davenport.”

  “I know.” Daniel said. “You’re going to be the best they’ve ever had, but be careful, eh? And come see us worker bees when you get a chance.”

  “You got it on both counts.” Ash reached across the counter and punched his shoulder. “Now, let’s eat. You have time to help me load up my stuff?”

  “Everything going to fit in the Mustang?” Daniel asked between stuffing his face with eggs and bacon.

  “Nah. Gonna load Mom’s Range Rover. Dad’ll drive up with me and take it back.”

  Daniel grunted and started in on the toast. “What are you going to drive?”

  “Ah.” Ash settled back in his chair and sighed. “That’s the best part. I had the Triumph dealer deliver the Scrambler to my new place.”

  Daniel choked, eyes watering as he tried to swallow. “You—What? You got a motorcycle?”

  “Yep. Always wanted one. Sweet ride, let me tell you.”

  “I bet.” Daniel stared down at his plate and moved food around instead of eating.

  “What? I’ll take you for a spin. Don’t pout,” Ash joked.

  “I have news, too. Not a new bike or anything, but…”

  “What?”

  Daniel’s face flushed red, and was he sweating? “No one knows about this yet. I came here to tell you first. I—I’m going to ask Maggie to marry me.”

  What? Holy shit. Daniel was getting married. Ash whooped and slapped his best friend’s shoulder. “Really? Congratulations!”

  “Okay, okay, already,” Daniel muttered, scrubbing his hands over his face.

  “Wait, you haven’t asked her yet? You’re telling me first? You’ve got a ring, right?”

  “No, I haven’t asked her, and yes, got the ring right here.” Daniel patted his pocket. “Guess I wanted to show you first. Want you to be my best man.”

  “Best man?” Ash could hardly get the words out and not because he was struck blind by the big shiny diamond Daniel showed him. “Me? Yes. Yes, I’m honored.”

  “If she says yes.” Daniel touched the gem and then replaced the box in his pocket. “The wedding probably won’t be for a while. I hear there’s lots of planning and shit involved.”

  “If she says yes,” Ash mocked. He jumped up and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the fridge. “Congratulations, man. We need to celebrate. I’m going to be a best man. My best friend is getting married!”

  “Good to see you, asshole. Really is.” Daniel gave Ash a bone-crushing hug, riding high on the christening of his infant daughter.

  “Couldn’t miss this, seeing as how you had the spectacular good sense to make me Abigail’s godfather.” Ash returned the embrace with a thump on his friend’s back. Daniel slung a companionable arm around Ash’s shoulders and winked at his wife.

  “I had the good sense to grab hold of that woman and never let her go.”

  “True.” Ash grinned and raised his glass to Maggie, who mock-scowled even as her face pinked. “Love her like a sister.”

  He winced at the choice of words, thinking of Maggie’s sister and loving. He’d loved her sister, all right, in every physical sense of the word. He’d been Daniel’s best man, with Maggie’s sister the maid of honor, at the wedding five years ago, and he’d spent the night doing things with sister dearest that would make a porn producer blush.

  Good times.

  Maggie raised a brow at his flinch, but thankfully Lisa walked up to distract her. Ash’s gaze dropped to the male hand Lisa held before following the arm up to meet Andy’s guilty eyes.

  “Still can’t believe those two have been seeing each other for so long,” he muttered to Daniel. “And why you guys never said anything. I might have been assigned all the way the hell up north the last few years, but we still talked often enough to let me know.”

  “Lisa made us swear we wouldn’t tell you.”

  “Why?”

  “I have no idea, and neither does Andy. But she made us promise, swear up and down we wouldn’t tell. Something about how as long as you weren’t seeing anyone—anyone serious—she didn’t want you to know. Maybe she feels bad, or thought you’d feel bad. Who the hell knows?”

  “I don’t get it. I’ve seen Lisa when I’ve been home over the past couple years, and Andy more than that.” The underlying awkwardness between him and Lisa had eventually faded, and they’d fallen back into their usual easy camaraderie—at least, he thought they had. Hopefully, she’d dealt with whatever had been bothering her and hadn’t transferred her neediness to Andy. The relationship was exactly what Andy had been wanting since they were kids. Good for both of them and especially Lisa. She’d finally found a relationship that was healthy for her. Her misguided attraction to him had to have been in reaction to the hell she’d been through with her ex-fiancé.

  But still. “What difference does it make if I’m dating anybody or not? Never bothered her before.”

  “She’s always worried about who you’re seeing and what you’re doing—you know that. She cares about you. Maybe she felt bad that we’re all coupled up and you aren’t.”

  Ash made a rude noise. “I’m happy for her and Andy. Happy for you and Maggie, too. Just because I haven’t found someone I want to be with long-term doesn’t mean I won’t eventually. Why the hell wouldn’t Lisa want me to know?”

  “Don’t ask me,” Daniel said. “You know more about women than I ever will.”

  “Bah. Anyway. I’ll give them both shit about it later.” He tipped his head back to swallow the rest of his drink before burping in Daniel’s ear and dodging the retaliatory blow. “I’ve got to meet Pete at his office. See you guys tonight?”

  “Count on it. And thanks again, Ash. I mean it.”

  “Of course.” After a last one-armed hug and back thump, he turned to toast Lisa and Andy with his empty glass. “Catch you crazy kids later.”

  A very pretty blonde escorted him into Pete’s office when he arrived, and he flashed a promising smile as she held the door open so he had to slip between her and the frame.

  “Down girl.” Pete said with a mocking, raised brow when she lingered. “Official business here, Portia. You can ogle the corporal on your own time.”

  “Love to.” She grinned, giving Ash an amused, inquiring look. “What are you doing later?”

  “Having a drink with you, sweetheart
.” He lowered himself onto the sofa opposite Pete’s desk.

  “Perfect.” She closed the door behind her with a grin and a wink.

  “Try to keep my normally professional and efficient office staff from turning into swooning idiots whenever you come in, will you?” Pete shook his head. “At least you didn’t say ‘you’ when she asked what you were doing later.”

  “That would be sophomoric and immature.” Ash fought to keep the grin off his face. “I also did refrain from asking her when she got off, you’ll notice. Nothing but sophistication and class right here. Cute girl, by the way.”

  Pete held up his hand. “Stop. Please. She’s my PA. I don’t want anything but PA thoughts and comments, okay?”

  “Okay.” The grin broke free. “I’ll try to keep her from falling in love with me.”

  “Please do. Anyway, I asked you here to discuss business, not pick up my assistant.”

  “Well, to be fair, she picked me up,” Ash pointed out and then waved his hand when Pete glared. “What’s up?”

  “You’ve completed your general duty policing and undercover training.” Pete sat at his desk with Ash’s file in front of him. “You’ve logged some great arrests and filed information that has led to major seizures from your plainclothes work. You’ve also handled yourself well in the undercover ops you’ve been working. I want to know if you’re ready to involve yourself in a deep op, a major undertaking. It’s the Russo one I’ve personally been overseeing and setting up the past few years.”

  “I’m ready, Commander.”

  Ah, the opportunity he’d been waiting for as long as he could remember. He’d sacrificed friends and family, a personal life. Worked his ass off, put in full shifts, gone back to his apartment, changed, and headed back out on plainclothes or an op if Pete had something. He’d fall into bed around two or three in the morning, crash for a couple hours, and then start all over again. For the past five years. Hell, yes, he was ready.

  “I hope so, Corporal, because we’re going after Rico Salvatore.” Pete held up a thick file, and Ash sucked in a breath as he reached for the packet.