Page 163 of Lau Ahi
“Like, take a bath. Wash my hair from where he was tugging on it. My scalp is slightly tender.”
He was trying to see if I was being truthful, and I held his gaze without issue. “Do you need me?” I was either a good liar or he let me off the hook.
Compassion. I couldn’t handle it right now. It was going to overwhelm me and I had to focus on getting to where I could break down in peace.
“No. You need to get this cleaned up. I’ll be fine.”
I turned and strolled as casually as I could toward our bathroom hoping I could wash the day off of me.
ORI
There was something wrong.
Not wrong in the sense that we hadn’t done a good job with clean up. That part was fine. What was wrong was that the woman I was set to marry had been lounging away in a tub with only a fleeting “don’t fuck up my parquet floors” as advice before she went to soak. No one should be that calm. The way she’d taken a knife to him should’ve worried me. Instead, it made my dick hard. The way I’d taken my fists to him should’ve turned her off. But the way her nipples were pebbled beneath her shirt I was damn sure she was playing with herself in the tub based on the moans I’d heard when I’d gone to check on her — I’d wager a guess that she’d enjoyed that display of brutality.
Some misandrist.
Of course, she had no issue telling me that men had their use and what she felt like my specific purpose was. Somehow, I had a feeling it was more than that. The last of the body parts had been bagged and carried out by Alec’s people who were disguised as party planners. The tape had already been scrubbed of Wilbur’s presence, as had that of the surrounding homes and stoplights. This was the reason Asha’s house had been mapped out and surveilled. In case the need arose for something like this, it was as simple as making a call to execute a line of code that erased his existence from being anywhere within five miles of the penthouse.
“You sure it’s safe for you to be here?”
Alec’s normally joyous face was lined with worry as he glanced down the hall toward where Asha had disappeared. It took everything in me not to move to stand in front of his view because I felt so protective over her. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t see or hear a fucking thing happening in our bathroom. I didn’t want anyone to get a glimpse of what I knew was behind the doors.
“I’m fine.”
I wasn’t fine. I wanted to reviveWilburand kill him again for the smug look he had on his face when he’d kissed her flesh. The only thing that kept me from going on a rampage was the image of his face as she jabbed the knife into his gut and twisted it.
My girl.
Alec looked behind me again the worry still there despite my assurances. “Ori, not to get in your business—”
I sighed because Alec should’ve known once I made my mind up nothing changed it.
“But it’s clear you’re about to.”
Not bothered to be intimidated by my attitude he stood up straight like he was ready to be the next man I tossed around this house. He would give me a much better fight than Wilbur so I was hoping he’d swing.
“Yeah, as your friend despite you not wanting me to be one. I’ve known you for years so I’m used to how nonchalant you are about everything. But her? There’s no way a woman, no scratch that a civilian should be as calm as she is about everything.” He leaned toward me keeping his voice low so she couldn’t hear him. I appreciated his desire to be respectful toward her even if he thought she was homicidal.
“It’s shock.”
It wasn’t. He was absolutely right. And after his experience with her when I’d accused her of being a killer I was sure he was even more on alert with her behavior.
“No, it’s not. It’s experience. That type of calm comes from being completely unbothered by violence because you’re used to it. Not experiencing violence but inflicting it. Sleep with one eye open.” He pointed at me as he spoke emphasizing his words but he should’ve known I wasn’t going to heed them.
“Are you that concerned for your friend, Agent Ortega-Castillo?” She strolled casually back into the room unbothered by being the topic of conversation.
“Alec. There’s no need for formalities you know that.” He gave her a respectful nod but kept his eyes on me because of what Asha was wearing. Or rather, the lack thereof. The robe was thick, almost swallowing up her frame and far too warm for the weather. Asha strolled into the room surveying our handiwork before she gave a nod of approval.
“I guess that’s right since you just cleaned up a murder scene for me. Thank you for ensuring the floors were handled with care. They’re my favorite feature of the apartment.”
“You’re…welcome.” He was concerned. Waiting for Asha to crack in a way that I knew he would never see. She smiled genially on hearing his hesitation.
“As I said, you shouldn’t be worried for your friend. He’s caused me irritation today but I know he’s not a threat. I handle threats in an extreme manner. Besides, I wouldn’t benefit from his death since I’m not his wife and I never make a move unless I have it planned out.” She was grinning, her curly hair framing her face and I knew it was all an act. Theatre to assuage our concern and to protect herself.
“And tonight. Was it planned?”
She rolled her eyes like the dead body that we’d bagged up had just been a blip in the scheme of her day. “Of course not, Ori.That was a surprise. I’m sure you’ll be able to hear everything on the hot mics all over this house.”
