Page 164 of Lau Ahi
Oh, now she was insulting me. “There’s no need for mics when your entire apartment is under surveillance.”
Her hands went to the ties of her robe and she glanced around betrayed. “Excuse me?”
“Part of the contract I guess you didn’t read.”
The anger returned the happiness draining from her features. “I never gave permission—”
“Your permission was given when you agreed to be a part of our organization. Did you really think your word was going to be sufficient?”
“And who all has access to this place?”
Worry. That was what she was feeling. I understood because she’d built this place as a beautiful fortress in the sky and I was telling her that tonight had shown it wasn’t the impregnable structure she’d thought.
“Me.”
“And?”
My arms went across my chest and I was thankful I’d showered while I’d been waiting for Alec and his people to show up.
“And that’s all. You never have anyone over there. If you had, alerts would’ve gone up. Two heat signatures or one that is incongruent with your location means that someone is in your place. That triggers an alert on my phone, which is why I was here so fast. I was already headed home and this quickened my arrival. Despite what you think, this is for your benefit, not to keep you under our thumb.”
“I had today handled.”
“You think that. And maybe you did, but what part of me is going to let you take that chance? If I sat back and watched some piece of shit who was threatening you the way he was puthis hands on you? To violate you? You think I’m the type of man who thinks that shit is okay?” I’d stepped toward her angrily and Vega’s hand went to my chest. Asha didn’t give a shit because she walked up and pointed her finger in my face.
“I can take care of myself!”
Vega backed away when he realized I wasn’t going to lose it. “I’m going to excuse myself now—”
Her eyes went to him the smile back on her face. “Is payment required for your assistance?”
“We’re family. We’re not about to make you pay for help. This is what families do for one another. Ori, let me know if y’all need anything else.”
I walked him toward the door with Asha trailing behind us. Vega gave me one last look imploring me to make this shit right. His fear for my safety gone yet again.
As soon as the door was secured behind Vega I turned to her. “Who was the first person you killed?”
Her head snapped up in surprise and I knew she wasn’t expecting that question. “Excuse me?”
“He might be nosy but he’s right. You’re far too relaxed for a situation like this. You should be—”
Her hands flew up in aggravation but I could see right through it. “What? Screaming? Acting like a damsel in distress? Surely you’ve seen I’m made of stronger stuff than that.”
“Stronger, but not impenetrable. I’ve seen that you’re passionate. That you have a heart. That you’re protective of what you love. None of that reads as heartless. Your reaction right now is one that you’ve been conditioned to.”
“Maybe I’m just crazy.” She smiled so sweetly as to give off the effect I was in danger but I knew I wasn’t.
I grinned back at her despite how awkward it felt just to show how much I liked that shit. “You probably are.”
“Shouldn’t that bother you?”
“No. Being labeled as crazy is just an easy way for them to dismiss something that moves too far from their norms. You should know this since it’s your area of expertise.”
Her smile turned modest and some of her defensiveness melted away. “Touche.”
“Is that all I get?”
“What more could you want?”
