Page 102 of Ash and Poison

“It’s a date then.”

24

THE EDGE OF MADNESS

ASHER

It’s a date then. Vincent’s voice was like chalk scraping against the board. My head hurt, and the need for violence overtook me as I glared at them.

Date.

I wanted blood.

I gripped the fork in my hand tighter.

It wasn’t going to be a fucking date if I had anything to say about it. The jealousy was an uncomfortable second skin. I wasn’t familiar with this feeling before this woman came into my life.

She looked at Vincent with a smile that could make a man’s heart tilt, turn, and tumble.

She shouldn’t go around flashing that smile just to anyone.

I wanted to scream at her to never smile at Vincent like that. I had never killed a man who didn’t deserve to die, but right now, I wanted to kill Vincent and bury him six feet under.

The last, small thread of sanity left in me snapped as I stalked toward Vincent. Common sense told me I must stop, but I didn’t.

“Take your hands off of her.”

Diya gasped. Vincent smirked. The challenging look in his eyes made me want to gouge them out.

“Or?” he said, staring at me, as he pulled her hand to his lips. She didn’t move.

Did she want him to kiss her like that?

She just stared at me, her eyes ordering me to stop. I couldn’t stop.

I yanked his hand, and slammed him against the wall, pressing his palm against the rough surface of the brick.

“Fuck, you bastard—” Vincent cursed. I plunged the fork into the back of his hand, and he screamed. “Fuck! I can arrest you for this.”

“That’s enough, Asher,” Diya said, shaking her head. “Let’s go back.”

“You saw it, Diya. Why are you… Are you helping him?” Vincent stared at Diya, eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean? Helping him? I’m his doctor.”

“Cut the bullshit. Do you know what he’s doing?”

Diya cut him off with a shake of her head. “So, Vincent, are you seriously accusing me of aiding and abetting a murderer?”

Vincent gulped as Diya whirled toward me, shaking her head. “Count to six and go.” She pointed to her car. “To the car. Now.” She looked like she was ready to cut both our cocks in half just to put us in our place.

“He is—” I started.

“Not another word from you. I brought you here to help you, not for you to assault a police officer. You know what you did, Asher, and it’s not right,” she said, pointing to the car. “Go.”

When I left, I could hear her saying, “So, let me just clear this up. Did you or did you not accuse me of helping Asher Maddox kill someone?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”