TENSION AND DEPARTURE

Ashley was in a steamy bath with Xander, their bodies intertwined as they kissed passionately. She could feel his hands on her waist as he trailed kisses down her neck, sending shivers down her spine. They were happy, acting like a couple, and for a moment, Ashley forgot that she was a mafia queen.

Suddenly, Ashley gasped as she woke up from the dream. She was confused and unsettled, feeling as though she had just crossed a line she shouldn't have. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she looked around the dark living room. Everyone else was still sleeping, but Xander and Jake were nowhere to be seen.

She slipped on her flip-flops and made her way outside, following the sounds of voices to the farm. When she arrived, she was shocked to see Jake and Xander in the middle of a heated argument, with apples scattered all over the floor.

"What's going on here?" Ashley demanded, stepping between the two men.

"Stay out of this, Ashley," Jake snapped. "Xander needs to leave. He's not welcome around here anymore."

Xander's face hardened. "I'm not going anywhere," he said firmly. "I care about Ashley, and I'm not going to let you tell me what to do."

Ashley's heart was racing as she watched the two men facing off. She knew that Jake was just trying to protect her, but she also knew that she couldn't let him drive Xander away.

"Stop it, both of you," she said firmly. "This is ridiculous. Jake, you're acting like a jerk. Xander, you need to calm down. We're all in this together, and we need to work things out."

Jake glared at her. "Are you taking his side now?" he demanded.

Ashley hesitated for a moment, then spoke firmly. "I'm not taking anyone's side. I just want everyone to get along. We're in this together, and we need to be a team."

The tension in the air was palpable as the three of them stood there, Jake's face twisted in anger as he hurled insults at Ashley and Xander.

"Go fuck yourselves if that’s what you guys want to do."

Ashley tried to reason with him, "Leave us alone, Jake." but Jake was too far gone, satisfied with his outburst.

"Fine, I will leave so you guys can fuck!"

As Jake stormed off, Xander moved closer to Ashley, trying to get her attention. "Ashley, listen to me," he pleaded. "I know you're the mafia queen and you have this tough exterior, but I also know that deep down, you're just a woman who wants to be loved. And I'm here to give you that love."

Ashley rolled her eyes, trying to ignore him. "Xander, stop talking," she said firmly. "You know I can't be in a relationship with you. I have too much on my plate right now."

Xander's face fell. "But why not?" he asked. "We could be great together. Two different people, coming together as one. I know I can make you happy."

Ashley sighed, feeling frustrated. "Xander, I can't. I just can't. You don't understand the world I live in. It's dangerous, and I don't want to drag you down with me."

Xander's face hardened as he reached out to touch her arm. "Ashley, I don't care about the danger. I just want to be with you. Please, give me a chance."

Ashley shook her head, pulling away from him. "No, Xander. I can't. It's not fair to either of us."

As she fell to the grassy floor of the field, looking up at the stars in the sky, Xander lay next to her, admiring her. "You're so beautiful, Ashley," he said softly. "I just wish you could see that."

Ashley avoided eye contact with him, feeling a mix of emotions. She knew that Xander was a good man and that he cared about her. But she also knew that she couldn't let him get too close. Not when her life was on the line every day.

***

As the morning light streamed across the field, the rest of the group sat on the porch of the farmhouse, watching as Ashley and Xander slept on the grass. Chris turned to Dave, a concerned look on his face. "Do you think we should wake them up?" he asked. "We need to get out of here as soon as possible."

Dave nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I'll go wake them up."

Jake spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I feel like kicking Xander in the balls. Do you mind if I do it first?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "Jake, let's just get out of here. We don't need any more drama."

Dave walked over to where Ashley and Xander were sleeping and gently shook them awake. Ashley sat up, looking disgusted as she realized that she had spent the night on the grass with Xander.

Dave spoke up, a serious look on his face. "Listen, guys. I went out and borrowed a car. We need to leave this place now and head back to Miami. We can't stay here any longer."

Ashley nodded, feeling relieved that they finally had a way out. "Okay, let's go," she said, standing up and brushing off the grass from her clothes.

Dave led them to the car, a beat-up old sedan that looked like it had seen better days. "I had to bribe the owner with my golden wristwatch to borrow this," he said, as they all piled into the car.

Ashley looked at him, a small smile on her face. "Don't worry, Dave. I'll get you another watch."

As they drove away from the countryside, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. They were finally getting out of that place, and hopefully, away from Mason. She knew that they couldn't go to her father's house, not when Mason could easily find them there. Instead, they needed to go to the mafia headquarters and get help from other goons to protect them from Mason in the meantime, before they could think of what to do with him.