*Jackson's POV*

"I don't know Zara," I ran my hand through my hair. " I don't really think Aiden had anything to do with—"

An abrupt bang interrupted me.

Zara raised her guard and turned her head in the direction of the building. "W-Was that the sound of a gun?"

I massaged my temples. " Either that or we're both getting a little rusty —Ashley stay close" I turned my head to look at Ashley but she wasn't there.

Zara gasped. " Jackson..."

" No!," I looked around urgently. " Ashley! Ashley this isn't funny get your butt out here now!"

Another shot fired.

" Jackson I think she went inside" Zara pointed toward the building.

"Fuck!" I screamed and sprinted toward the building with Zara following my lead. I ran past the elevator and headed straight for the stairs. I could feel my calves burning from darting up these stairs so quickly but I don't care. I can't stop. If anything happened to her—

"No! No! Jackson!"

Her voice screamed out and I balled my fist up. Aiden's door was already opened when I got in the room and he was lying on the floor bleeding out from two gunshot wounds. He couldn't speak but he kept pointing above us.

The roof.

"I'll take him to the hospital" Zara offered.

" No!, No hospitals. We don't want the cops getting involved...take him to the mansion," I urged her. " We have a clinical wing there....now Zara"

I opened the door to the emergency exit and made my way to the roof of the building. "Ashley, Ashley i'm coming!" two guys wearing Vito's mark tattooed on their arm blocked the stairway. I grabbed one of them that was pointing a gun at me by the wrist and brought his arm back snapping it in half, then threw him onto the other guy before throwing them down the stairs.

I got on the roof and was welcomed by a rush of wind by a helicopter. Two more guys attacked me and almost instinctively I grabbed them and knocked their heads together without taking my eyes off the helicopter taking off and Ashley laying numbly on the floor. I pulled out my gun and tried to shoot the pilot but the plane would've crashed if I did that and I can't risk her dying. Sadie winked at me and they disappeared from vision.

"No! damn it Ashley you never listen!" I fell on my knees.

I pulled out my phone to see a text message from Jeff.

~Meet me back at the mansion.

When I got back in my car I was welcomed with her smell, a mixture of vanilla and lavender. Her damp clothes still laid in a pile on the floor. I rest my head on the steering wheel and screamed out. I balled my hands up until they turned white. It's taking everything in me to not drive out to Vito's territory and kill as many people there before they get to me but I can almost hear her soothing voice in my head telling me to breathe, saying please.

I sighed, taking deep breaths. The world seems to be spinning in slow motion and in a way I feel a bit empty, and on another hand i'm angry. I started my car but couldn't get myself to move, so I got out of the car, grabbed Ashley's wet clothes and walked into our dorm room. I threw her clothes in the dryer and hopped in the shower.

I stood there for a few minutes and tried to clear my mind as best as I could before stepping out, drying off and slipping on my black jeans, shirt and combat boots. I also grabbed my leather jacket, before walking out and heading back to my car. The ride to the mansion was bad because I was left with my own thoughts and that's never good.

How could I not have known Sadie was a fucking two timer? its funny, I feel bad even if i'm cursing in my own mind. Were there any signs? how could she not notice anything off, how could I not? Ashley doesn't listen but she isn't stupid, I hope she knows to do what she's told until I get there. If they hurt her...

Of course, with my luck the only person I truly open up to gets kidnapped, by her best friend at that. I sighed pulling my car into the garage. Everytime I try to think my mind —and thoughts— just freezes on her. What the hell is happening to me?

" Jackson!" someone banged on my mirror.

I jumped. " Jesus Brody!"

" Since when do you get scared so easily?," He questioned but never waited for an answer —not that I had one to give him. " Anyway, we have big meeting with everyone from all our bases all over town, boss says this could mean war"

I walked in the mess hall, it was packed. I locked eyes with Ashleys father in a deep discussion with two buff guys and he walked over to me. A sense of hopelessness washed over me." I'm sorry sir, I failed you" I bowed my head.

He coughed. "You didn't fail me son but—" He picked my head up. " I want you to rest tonight. You can't get anything done if you're tired. You can have as many of my men as you need. Jackson I believe in you —I raised a fighting machine— which is why i'm putting you in charge, so empty your mind —you shouldn't have any feelings— and save my goddamn daughter"

He turned to walk away, " Oh and Jackson?"

" Yes sir?" I looked at the spiraling rage and anger in his eyes.

" If anyone gets in your way, I want you to kill them"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------