Page 154 of Ash and Poison

“Did you see Diya? I missed her call, and I tried to call her, but she isn’t answering her phone.” Layne said, looking around, her eyes concerned. The food trucks had left, and the asylum was quiet again. Unnaturally quiet.

“She said she’d be at the cottage,” I said, moving toward Diya’s place.

When we reached the cottage, Layne pushed the door open and froze.

“Fuck. What the hell are you doing here, you bastard?”

Jonah stood there, pale, sweaty, hands raised above.

“What did you do to Diya? If you have harmed even a hair in her head, I’ll bury you.”

“Doctor Sharma’s not here. I-I have been waiting for her.”

“Where’s Millie? What the fuck did you do?” I growled, lunging at him.

“No-nothing. She’s sleeping in the bedroom.”

I slammed him against the wall as Layne opened the door to the bedroom.

“She’s here, and she’s sleeping,” Layne said, giving me a nod. “She looks fine, Asher.”

“I came here because I knew Doctor Sharma would help us. Help Millie. It’s not me, Asher.”

“Shut the fuck up. You killed Riley.”

“No. I didn’t kill anyone,” Jonah said, shaking his head.

“Why did you kidnap Millie then?” I clenched my fist, inching to hit him again, and again until he was dead.

“They would have killed her too.”

“What?” I asked, frowning. “Who—you know who did it?”

“It’s Holland. He-he’s the one,” Jonah said, his voice cracking. He looked like he was ready to break down.

“I don’t believe you.”

“No, no, trust me, Asher. It’s him. Holland and Ellis. I have proof.”

What the fuck was he talking about?

Layne gasped. “Fucking bitch,” she snapped, slamming her hand against the wall. “God, Asher. Where the hell did they take her?”

Jonah fumbled with his phone, hands still trembling. “Look—just look at this. I found it in his study. When I was five, I-I saw him kill our dog. She was Vincent's, and we loved her. I was so afraid to say a word… I was afraid he'd kill me too,” Jonah whispered, his voice quivering.

My chest tightened when I looked at the picture. The man stood in a mask next to Riley. There was no life in her eyes. Only mad desperation.

“I know Doctor Sharma was looking into it as well. I saw her… at Holland’s party. That’s why I came here. I knew she’d help Millie.”

My heart dropped. “Jesus Christ.”

Layne turned to me, eyes burning. “Fuck, Asher. We need to find her. Now.”

Layne looked shaken, her usual mask of confidence crumbling as she looked at me, eyes begging.

My heart stilled.

“Let’s go,” I said.