I tried to think of something else to say. Something to keep her out here longer with me, but I couldn’t. I fucking fell apart around this bitch. Had no idea what the fuck I was doing.
Sapphira turned and started walking toward the door. I saw AK and Phebe through the kitchen window, sat at the table, and knew I was on borrowed time. As much as AK loved me, he was hella protective of Sapphira, like she was his own daughter, one no one fucked with or risk the wrath of his fist. And I was pretty sure he would threaten to cut off my dick if he knew how I felt about her. I knew she’d been put through hell like Madds had been in that cult and through Meister. I knew she was younger than me by two years, was damaged. But I’d thought about her pretty much everyday since the lodge, and I couldn’t fucking stop if I tried.
I had tried.
Nothing worked.
She was always there in my head.
“My name’s Lil’ Ash. Or Ash. I never got to tell you that at the lodge.”
I didn’t think she’d respond. I didn’t think she’d speak. But she looked up at me through her long lashes and, shocking the fuck out of me, whispered, “Ash.” I thought I saw her lip flick up at the side into a tiny smile. I thought I saw her blush.
Then she fucking smashed through any barriers I had left when she lifted her head, meeting my eyes and said softly, “I am Sapphira. . . or Saffy. . . or Saff.”
And I smiled. I smiled and flicked my smoke to the ground. I stepped forward, wondering if she’d run. She didn’t. So I stepped further forward, and forward again until I was stood right before her. She was short and slim and I towered over her. But I liked it. I liked that I could maybe protect her. That maybe she’d feel safe beside me too.
I heard her breathing increase. I saw her body start to shake in nerves. It fucking broke my heart.
Wiping my palm on my jeans, I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you . . . Saff.”
Saff tensed and stared at my offered hand. Just as I was about to lower it again, I watched as she slowly unfolded her arm and, with small shaking fingers, put her hand in mine. Her grip was nothing stronger than a feather, but it was warm. Then sucking in a stuttered breath, she whispered, “Nice to meet you too . . . Ash.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than she pulled back, lowered her head and scurried back into the cabin. But I didn’t move. I stayed rooted on the spot, trying to fucking breathe, trying to fucking do anything but follow after her, speak to her again . . . until AK came walking out of the door. “Ash? You here for me, kid? You good?”
“I’m good, AK,” I said, still feeling Saff’s warm, shaking hand in mine. Still seeing that blush on her cheeks and flicker of a smile on her lips. Letting a smile pull on my face, and a fucking warm feeling fill my veins, I said, “I’m real fucking good.”
Check out, ‘I Do, Babe: A Novella (Hades Hangmen Book 5.5)’
Hades Hangmen Series
It Ain’t Me, Babe (Hades Hangmen #1) Heart Recaptured (Hades Hangmen #2) Souls Unfractured (Hades Hangmen #3) Deep Redemption (Hades Hangmen #4) Damnable Grace (Hades Hangmen #5) I Do, Babe: A Novella (Hades Hangmen #5.5)
Upcoming Hades Hangmen Novels
Crux Untamed (Hades Hangmen #6)
Darkness Embraced (Hades Hangmen #7) And many more. . .
Playlist
Until We Go Down—Ruelle Close Your Eyes—RHODES
Poison—Vaults
Human—Rag ‘n’ Bone Man Remains—Bastille (Vs Rag ‘n’ Bone Man Vs Skunk Anansie) Lay My Body Down—Rag ‘n’ Bone Man Ends of the Earth—Lord Huron Dream—Imagine Dragons
Set the World on Fire—Early Morning Rebel Bring Me Life (feat. Jonny Fears)—Kove Burden—Amos Lee
Breathe Me—Sia
Scars—James Bay
Devil’s Girl (feat. Melody Michalski)—Overnight Ain’t No Easy Way—Black Rebel Motorcycle Club When the Devil’s Loose—A.A. Bondy Cry Little Sister—G Tom Mac Hung My Head—Jonny Cash Breathe—RHODES
Hero of War—Rise Against Heroes—David Bowie
Sense of Home—Harrison Storm Burning Ground—Brandon Jenner Pray To You Now—The White Buffalo Grace—Rag ‘n’ Bone Man Highwayman—The Highwaymen
To listen to this playlist click here
Acknowledgements
Mam and Dad, thank you for all the support. Thank you to my husband, Stephen, for keeping me sane. Samantha, Marc, Taylor, Isaac, Archie, and Elias, love you all.
Thessa, thank you for being the best assistant in the world. You make the best edits, keep me organized and are one kick ass friend to boot!
Liz, thank you for being my super-agent and friend.
To my fabulous editor, Kia. I couldn’t have done it without you.
To my trusted beta readers, you did it again. Thank you!
Neda and Ardent PRose, I am so happy that I jumped on board with you guys. You’ve made my life infinitely more organized. You kick PR ass!
To my Hangmen Harem, I couldn’t ask for better book friends, thank you for all for everything you do for me.
My Flame Whores, you make each day that little bit more special. Thank you.
Jenny and Gitte—you know how I feel about you two ladies. Love you to bits! I truly value everything you’ve done for me over the years, and continue to do!
Thank you to all the AMAZING bloggers that have supported my career from the start and the ones who help share my work and shout about it from the rooftops.
Thank you to all my wonderful author friends. It would be a scary world without you to lean on. And lastly, thank you to the readers. Without you none of this would be possible.
Live Free. Ride Free. Die Free!
Author Biography
Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.
After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel.
Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters.
Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels.
When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.