Whiskey Lullaby

Chapter 8-Ashton

Chapter 8

Ashton

I kiss Izzy’s cheek and send her to her desk and when I get to my office, Rico is standing there waiting on me. We head inside and he tells me “I found some info. One of the neighbors had security cameras that just happened to catch some of Izzy’s driveway. I asked him for access, and he emailed me the video. Looks like a man was waiting on her front steps for her and when she got home, well, I forwarded it to your email. You can see it.” He tells me and I open my email and watch the video. “You find out who he is?” I ask. “I did. His name is Mark Walker. I have one of my guys watching him until you tell me what you want to do. “Get him. Take him to the warehouse and keep him on ice until I’m ready to deal with him.” I tell him. “Will do boss. I did find out one more thing.” He tells me. “What’s that?” I ask. He puts a piece of paper on my desk. “Katie said she heard you saying something about paying for her son’s funeral. I found the funeral home info.” He tells me. “And how did you get this info from Katie?” I ask, smirking at him. “We’ve been seeing each other.” He tells me. “Good. She’s a good one. Thanks for this.” I say, holding up the paper he gave me.

After he leaves, I call the funeral home. “Michaelson Funeral Home.” The person says as they answer. “Hello. I need to talk to someone about funeral charges for Jason Walker.” I say and I hear someone typing. “Yes. Poor thing. Didn’t have life insurance. I’m seeing she has already made arrangements with us to pay $100 each month.” She tells me. “What’s the total due right now?” I ask. “Let me see. It looks like the total is $5700.” She tells me. “Do you take credit cards?” I ask. “We do.” She tells me. “I want to pay the full balance off.” I tell her and give her my credit card info and she asks where I want the receipt sent. “Just mail it to her home address please.” I tell her before ending the call. That’s done.

A little later, Megan comes in and I order food for me and Izzy and tell her that Izzy will be joining me in my office. Izzy walks in and I step out from behind my desk and greet her. “Hey sweetheart. How’s your day been?” I ask. “It’s been okay.” She tells me. I cup her face and say “You look tired. How are you sleeping?” I ask. “I’m sleeping okay I guess.” She tells me. “You should go back to your normal working hours.” I tell her. “I need the money Ashton.” She tells me. “I got you.” I tell her and she shakes her head. Pulling her close I tell her “I meant what I said about wanting a relationship with you. Just please give this a chance.” I say and she sighs before she nods. The door opens and Megan brings our food in, and we start eating.

After lunch, she goes to leave to head back to work and I pull her to me. “I’ll be here when you leave. Please don’t leave without me.” I tell her. “I won’t.” she tells me, and I cup her face and place a simple kiss on her lips. “Ashton…” she starts, and I say, “Decide where you want to eat tonight.” She shakes her head and says, “I can cook something for us.” I smile softly and say “Okay baby. Leave at 5pm today please.” I tell her. “I’m supposed to work until 7.” She tells me. “I will let your boss know you’re leaving at 5. No more working long hours please.” I say and she nods. “Okay.” Before I kiss her one more time and she heads back to her desk.

After she leaves, I call her boss. “Good afternoon boss.” Mary says. “Hey Mary. You have Izzy James working under you, correct?” I ask. “Yes sir.” She says. “I know she was asking about more hours, but I’ve talked her into not working long hours anymore. She will go back to her normal schedule starting today.” I tell her and she tells me that she will make note of it. That evening, it’s 5pm and I leave my office and see Izzy standing there waiting on me. She’s looking down at her phone and I ask, “Something wrong baby?” She looks up at me and says, “I just called the funeral home to make a payment and they told me it’s been paid in full.” I smirk and tell her “I told you I’ve got you.” She pulls away from me and says “Ashton, I can’t pay that back.” I pull her back to me and say “No one is asking you to. I’ve claimed you as mine and I take care of what’s mine.” I tell her as we head to the elevator. “But he wasn’t yours.” She whispers. “You’re mine Izzy. He was yours and that makes him mine. Do you understand me?” I ask and she nods. I see tears in her eyes and she says, “Thank you Ashton.” Before snuggling into me and hugging me tight.