Page 60 of Reverence

If the men who shot at me were involved in this case then it was only a matter of time before they came after her.

“I’m good.” She answered quickly but I knew it wasn’t the truth.

“Be honest with me,” I said, searching her face for any tells. “Are you okay?”

She hesitated for a moment, giving me that look of disapproval.

One that said she still resented me, despite having helped me in a time of need. “I’m okay, Ares. Just concerned.”

“About the case?” Her eyes locked with mine and she nodded.

“Yes.” She looked away from me, focusing on the view behind me.

“Normally we’d have some idea of what we’re dealing with but I feel like we’re in the dark. It’s moments like these where people get hurt.”

“I understand but that’s part of our job unfortunately. Being in the dark at times and people around us getting hurt.”

“I’m aware.”

She frowned and I wanted to smooth the crease on her forehead with my thumb and remind her to relax during these stressful moments. “Can I ask you something?”

I blinked slowly, nodding once. “Yes.”

“Despite our history, if there was a breakthrough of any sort in this case and I wasn’t made aware of it. You’d tell me, sì?” The question seemed random. Out of character almost.

“Yes,” I answered truthfully. “We’re still partners at the end of the day and this won’t work unless we’re completely honest with each other,” I said, eyeing her intently. “Why do you ask? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” She breathed, rolling her shoulders backward. A clear indication of stress. Then she deflected, changing the topic. “Mariana got injured too.”

She sounded and looked distressed, despite trying her best to conceal her emotions. “I visited her at the hospital earlier before she got discharged.”

“She’s a strong woman, I’m certain she’ll be fine.” I tried to comfort her, which wasn’t my forte.

“That’s besides the point.” She sighed, massaging her temple with her index and middle finger.

“Two agents were injured on the same day, literally hours apart. After years of working on the field, nobody’s ever been injured. Yes, we might have taken a few hits but it’s never been this serious.”

“Amala,” I said calmly, making her look at me almost instantly. “You’re getting worked up.”

I noticed the signs, knew when a panic attack was coming. Studied the signs. “Can you take a deep breath?”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly and she nodded, breathing in and out a few times. “You’re okay.” I nodded once, never breaking eye contact with her. “Repeat it. Say you’re okay.”

“I’m okay.”

She repeated and I needed to bite back the urge to praise her.

“Surely you can’t be this stressed just because I took a bullet to the arm, right?”

I tried to lighten the mood and it worked because she rolled her eyes, standing up from the couch.

I watched her movements, scanning her figure and the way her clothing always seemed to fit her perfectly.

The outline of her hips, the way her jacket barely covered the swell of her breasts.

Fuck.

“It was never about you.” She said bluntly but it didn’t contain the usual venom. “Or did you miss the part where I said Mariana was injured as well?”