Kurt

His face slightly dropped at my attitude.

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Ashley's POV

The man lunged towards me and before I could react he snatched the gun from my hand. The man stood tall and held the gun tightly which was pointed straight at me. I let out a quick laugh as I stared into the gun barrel. I slightly turned my head to Jai and watched as he shot the man standing behind the guy aiming the gun towards me. The piercing sound of the gun shot made the man standing Infront of me jump. I watched as his face dropped and he looked over his shoulder in fear at his friend who was now laying completely still on the road.

"I'm going to ask you one more time, give me the money and you can leave" I spoke, then looked down to his grip on my gun. "And my gun back please" I added with a smile as I held my hand out.

The man grabbed my hand and dragged me Infront of him while his arm swung across my chest making me unable to move. He held the cold gun barrel against my temple.

"Let go" I laughed.

"Stop laughing. I will kill you" he spoke with a heavy breath as he pushed the gun deeper into my skull.

"Not so sure about that" I grinned as I slowly put my hand in my pocket.

I pulled another gun out and in a swift movement I had got out of his grip and was holding the gun tight pointing at him. I aimed straight at his head as I slowly stepped back.

"Where's the money?" I said now annoyed.

"In the car" he said shaken.

"Thanks" I smiled before pulling the trigger.

I felt as blood splattered on my face. I gagged and wiped it off with my shirt. I looked to Kurt who bent down and grabbed the man's gun along with his keys. I gave him a playful eye roll before looking back to Jai with a smile.

"Where's the car parked" I said as I looked to Kurt.

"Back over here" he said as he handed me my gun.

Me and Jai followed after Kurt who led the way. Kurt was too good to wind up in these situations. He was the first person me and Jai properly got along with here in Rome. He was almost like family which made it hard to send him off on deals. I was knowingly putting him in danger. He was young and deserved to be in a better career. Kurt was a good man and I knew he wasn't made for this lifestyle.

"Kurt" I said softly.

"Yes Ashley" he said with a smile.

"Don't you think you deserve better" I said with a smile.

"What do you mean" he said with a raised eyebrow as we continued walking.

"I think you should choose a safer career. I feel horrible always putting you in dangerous situations" I said giving him a comforting smile.

"What are you saying" he said as he stopped.

"Well, I think it would be bet-" I started before I saw a man in the distance pointing a gun at us. "Watch out!" I yelled as I bent down and heard the gun shot.

"Ashley" Kurt muttered before falling to the floor.

"Kurt" I screamed. "No" I cried hovering over his body.

I stood back up shaking, anger following through my whole body. I pointed my gun at his head and started to set of rapid shots at the man. He quickly ducked and hid behind a trash can. I looked to my right and Jai was hid behind a nearby car. I started to creep up closer to the man that was hidden behind a trash can. With my back against a building I sprung forward and started shoot careless in complete fury. The man stood up from behind the trash can and before he could raise his gun, I shot him straight in the chest. I walked over and watched as he choked on his blood. I felt the tears streaming down my face as I pulled the trigger again. I heard his heavy breathing stop. I dropped my gun by my side and started to sob with my hands over my face. I wobbled back over to Kurt who was bleeding out. I fell to my knees beside him as Jai joined me.

"Kurt" I cried.

"Ash- Ashley. I don't want to leave you" he chocked out.

"Kurt you're going to be okay" I smiled knowing he wasn't.

"I love this job" he stuttered looking from my eyes up to the night sky.

"I love you Kurt" I smiled holding to his hand which was ice cold.

I watched as his eyes started drift back to me, he lightly squeezed my hand. Before giving me a slight smile. I felt his hand loose strength and I watched as his eyes dilated and slowly shut. I watched his chest rise but not fall. I felt the tears stream down my face as I placed his hand which was in mine on his chest . I turned to Jai and fell into his arms in hysterics.

"Let's go" Jai whispered in my ear while he rubbed my cheek.

I felt him get up and he slowly helped me to my feet. We slowly walked back up to the man. I shut my eyes and felt a single tear run down my cheek as I bent down and picked up my gun. I stood back up and leant on Jai's shoulder as we walked to the man's car. I smashed my gun at the window. The glass shattered and I reached in for the bags. I grabbed one out and passed it to Jai. I reached for the second bag and swung it over my shoulder with a huff.  We carried the bags as we walked back to my car. I handed my keys to Jai. I really couldn't drive right now. I got into the passenger's seat and rested my head on the side of the car.

I was just telling him he should leave. Go start a safer life somewhere far from this place. I led him to his last moments. It was all my fault. In times like this I wished I had a normal job. I lost many employees, but Kurt meant a lot. I knew I shouldn't become so attached to employees but he was the first one to start working for us and he was always by my side. He was loyal. Kurt had so much potential, but he was young and didn't know his way around these things yet.

I wiped my tears away and picked up my phone. I raised my phone to my ear and waited for Aubrey to answer. I called twice knowing this my only spare time. It was rare to have free time and I needed to make the most of it. Once I called for the third time she answered.

"Hi" she said softly.

"So, tell me when and where?" I tried to sound happy, but my voice croaked.

"What happened" she asked.

"Nothing" I said lightly. "So when will it be" I continued.

"Okay, well you need to fly over here, to Tokyo" she said I closed eyes for a moment feeling sick.

I cut her off.

"Where?" I said hoping I heard her wrong.

"Tokyo, I haven't chosen a date, but I want it to be soon" she smiled the rest of her words blurred. I wasn't ready to go back so soon.

What if Tom discovers me again, entangled in the echoes of our past what if I find myself trapped in his captivity again.

"Ashley" she repeated loud.

"Yes, I'll be there, sounds amazing" I laughed lightly. "Bye" I added. I hung up before she could say it back.

I put my phone down and gazed out of the window. It was too soon. I knew it was a slim chance he would ever find me again. Even living in a new country far from him, the fear still lingered. Afraid of his connections he may have here. Afraid Tom would capture me again.

I stared out the window in a daze when the car suddenly stopped. I broke out of my trance and looked around. We were now home, I let out a soft sigh of relief as reached over the back and grabbed the bags. I hopped out the car and waited for Jai. I threw one of the bags to him and grabbed onto his arm. I held him close as we walked into the house. I dropped the bag on the floor and walked closer to the couch. I slumped on to the couch and moaned.

"Are you okay?" Jai said softly. I looked over at him and smiled.

"Yeah" I replied lightly knowing I was seconds from breaking down again.

"Where do you need to go for the wedding" he asked as he joined me on the couch. I put my legs over him and through my head back.

"Tokyo" I said looking at the roof.

"What" he said repositing himself and lightly rubbing my leg.

"I know" I moaned as I looked to him.

"Are you going to go?" he spoke with wide eyes.

"I don't know. I want to be there for her but I'm afraid" I said as my voice slightly broke. "We can't leave, especially with the business. Kurt's gone we have nobody responsible enough to cover us".

"Maria might" he spoke softly.

"I can't put that much responsibility on her" I said as I looked back up at the roof.

"When do you have to go?" Jai asked as I looked at my phone and picked it up.

"I have no idea" I said clicking on her contact.

"You'll be okay, I understand you still fear Tom but what are the chances he finds you? You're going to be fine" he smiled as I pressed send. His name still broke my heart.

"I just messaged her. It depends when she needs me to come" I said looking at Jai.

"Well after tomorrow your free. I can stay here and keep everything in line" Jai spoke as I heard my phone ding.

I looked at my phone and read the message. 'As soon as you can' Aubrey's message said. I started to reply. 'I'm free to fly over late tomorrow' I wrote back. 'Perfect' she replied. I sighed and looked up from my phone.

"You have to come. I need you with me Jai" I smiled. "Tomorrow after the deal we'll fly over. We just need to book the tickets" I continued.

...

We finished booking the tickets to Tokyo. With Jai by myside, I felt okay leaving. I didn't want to go. I was uncertain about what might happen while we were gone. I trusted that our workers would take care of everything and keep on the down low while we were gone. I got up from the couch and walked up the stairs. I jumped into bed and wrapped the covers around me as Jai came in next to me. I wrapped my arms around him and placed my head on his chest and sighed.

"Everything's going to okay" Jai spoke softly.

"I know" I said with a slight smile as I let my eyes slowly shut.