Page 158 of Lau Ahi
“You aren’t going to say thank you? Offer to keep me in the loop—“
I snapped my head around ready to go off. “The fuck would we do that for?”
“There’s far too much we would have to catch you up on at this late date is what Agent Nakoa is saying. I’m sure when the time is right you’ll be clued in.” I knew she didn’t even like him but she had the type of manners that forced her to have decorum no matter who she was around. Although I admired her for the skill I wanted her to quit that shit. Especially with this muthafucka.
Anderson was thinking too hard and I wanted to tell him to get the fuck out but he made the right decision and nodded before he left.
Vega’s held fell back and he exhaled with relief. “Swear I thought we would have to be mopping up blood if he didn’t carry his ass outta here.”
Asha didn’t bother to feign ignorance; she only shook her head and smiled happily that she’d kept me out of trouble.
“So now we know there’s DNA. I’m sure little can be done since we don’t have his DNA but isn’t there a way for you all to analyze it to get physical markers of the suspect?”
“How do you know about all that?”
“I’m a woman who studies the criminal mind for a living. You think I’m not cognizant of the latest developments in my field?”That regal brow rose indignantly at Vega for questioning her intelligence.
“That and like all women you watch a shit ton of crime shows.”
She smiled at me sweetly; I knew it wasn’t sincere. “If you messed up my algorithm I swear I will cut off your big toes.”
Vega burst out laughing, and Asha didn’t blink an eye after threatening me. My dick and I were just happy she was talking to us again so I wasn’t about to aggravate her.
“I didn’t, I promise.”
“I don’t know why but I believe you.” Asha seemed almost disappointed in herself for not still being irritated with me but she couldn’t lie that she was getting used to having me around.
“I’m not crazy enough to do anything to get on your bad side.” I was flirting. In the way only she and I seemed to respond well to. A common ground where we didn’t have to be vulnerable with one another.
“If you did you might as well kill me first.” Her comment carried an unspoken weight. A promise that she would do her worst if I let her down.
“So you’re saying that you want me to take you out of the land of the living before I could disappoint you?”
Vega was grinning like he was pleased I had my hands full.
She leaned forward and winked, making my heart race. “Absolutely. Because the way I would torture you once I found out that you’d let me down would be a fate worse than death when it was all said and done. So get to me before I get to you, Ori.”
“A promise?”
Asha’s face broke into that same brilliant smile. “Of course. And just like you, I don’t break mine.”
I SEE YOU
ASHA
There was a soft rap at the door, and I hopped up to see who it was. Glancing through the peephole I saw a large bouquet and wondered why the concierge hadn’t alerted me of a delivery. The feeling I’d been having all day surged again and a small smile crossed my face.
We’d been teasing one another back and forth but I wondered if this was a peace offering. Ori’s way of saying he was sorry. I truly hadn’t been upset by him suspecting me. As it stood right now we had a matter of days before a warrant was going to be granted and I prayed we found this kid was the one so I could put all the nightmares that were springing up back in the pit I’d locked them in years ago.
“Who is it?”
“Delivery for Miss. Avery.”
I removed the locks on my door before allowing it to swing open for the concierge to step inside.
“These are lovely.”
The flowers were beautiful but as the bouquet shifted I felt my entire body go on immediate alert. Keeping up the ruse since I could no longer safely shut my door, I gushed over the flowers, which were beautiful. As soon as I went to accept the bouquet, I felt the change in the air. The flowers made a soft thump on the floor and I didn’t bother to turn to run. Whoever this was hadshortened the distance and was now at my back pressing himself into me. My pulse kicked up as his fetid breath tickled the back of my neck.
