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Ashley lay as still as a stone for the longest time. Somehow, she'd remained silent as well, in spite of what she'd endured earlier in the night.
She still felt the scalding hot tears slipping down her cheeks. She sat up as slowly as she could manage, the last thing on her mind awakening Matt, who was finally, blessedly sound asleep beside her.
Damn him! After she'd explained the truth of what had happened to the dog, he'd flown into a rage. He'd not only yelled and screamed at her, he'd also smacked her pretty hard across the face. The backhand had been bad enough, but he'd decided to give her a shove as well. He'd pushed her hard enough that she'd actually fallen to the floor.
Ashley could hardly believe it. It was hours after the incident, and she was grateful that she hadn't gotten further injured than her already bad leg, which of course was nearly fully-healed. With the callousness Matt had exhibiting in shoving her, she very well could have been hurt even worse, and the progress of her healing could have been stunted as a result.
The blonde reached her left hand up to her still stinging cheek. She was certain he'd slapped her hard enough to have left a handprint. How could he?
She had to get out of there... This was madness, and she could no longer be part of it. What in hell was she doing here, anyway?
Ashley slipped out of the bed and, quietly as she could manage, made her way to her suitcase. Luckily, she hadn't unpacked anything but her toiletries and makeup case.
She slipped into the bathroom without turning on the light, relieved that she knew the place well enough to maneuver in the dark. Gathering up everything she believed to be hers by touch, she fretted over one thing - how was she supposed to get Tobey out of here and keep him quiet in the process? He was still a small, young puppy, so surely he would make some noise! But she couldn't leave him here with Matt, not when he'd become such a monster. She would just have to chance it... She wasn't leaving Tobey behind.
Thanking her lucky stars she no longer had to use crutches, the blonde shoved the rest of her belongings into her bag and zipped it closed. She found Tobey out in the living room. Inwardly thinking, 'Don't bark... Please don't bark!, the diva gestured to the puppy, and he rose and jumped over to her. She scooped him up, and, holding her breath, carried him and her suitcase to the door. She hoped she could make it to her car okay.
With as minimal sound as she could manage, Ashley let herself out and closed the door behind her. Once on the doorstep, she moved as quickly as possible, her car in plain view. Thank God Tobey was being so good and quiet! She again thanked her lucky stars for that.
Once she reached the car was the trickiest part. She had to put her bag down and fish in her purse for her keys.
'C'mon... C'mon!' she cried inside her own head. As she searched, she kept her eyes glued to the house. It would be too predictable for Matt to suddenly appear at the door, or for his face to suddenly appear in a window.
Her fingers suddenly connected with the object of her target - her set of keys! In a haste, she yanked them out and unlocked her driver's side door. She placed Tobey in the passenger's seat first, and somehow, the tiny dog didn't try to get out. Then, with all the strength she could muster, she hefted her suitcase in one sweep and pretty much tossed it into the backseat. She slammed the door afterward, instantly starting the car.
Ashley's heart was thundering as she backed out of the space and took off. She cringed due to the fact that the brakes screeched as she did so. Luckily, her getaway was uneventful.
She tried keeping her breathing even as she reached into her purse with her right hand, coming up with her cell phone. Quickly, she flipped it open and pressed a single digit that was on speed dial.
The groggy man answered after three rings.
"Hello?"
"Hello... Charlie? I'm so sorry to call and wake you so early, but... I need a favor..."