Page 109 of Asher Black (The Five Syndicates)
Again.
He sighs, clearly irritated. “They wiped them and shut them off before I killed them all.”
“Okay,” she says, but she clearly doesn’t believe him. “And all these weapons?”
“Legally owned. I have licenses, if you would like to see them.”
“You can forward copies to the email listed on my card.”
Asher nods, his arms crossed. He’s undoubtedly over this interview already, and I can’t blame him. I would be, too, if I endured the same level of scrutiny. Instead, when they arrived, the officers took one look at the throw up on the floor, which Xavier rudely pointed out is mine, and inched further away from me.
Because the panic room is also need-to-know, I told them I hid under the bed and didn’t see anything until Asher called me down when it was over. After eyeing the vomit again, they didn’t question my story. Xavier thought it was hilarious, of course.
The cop finally nods for Asher to leave, and he joins me on the couch, where I’ve been not so subtly eavesdropping.
I lean my head on his shoulder and breathe in his familiar scent. “What do we do now?”
“I’m taking you to Vince’s.”
I immediately sit up straight. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Why not? He can protect you.”
“While you do what, exactly?”
“The cops went to René’s house to bring him in for questioning, but he’s gone. It’s only Viola there with their kids. I’m going to track him down.”
“And when you catch him?”
“I’ll hand him over to the police.” It’s supposed to be a statement, but he says it like it’s a question.
“You will?” I ask, dubiously.
“Yes,” he says with more certainty. “I’m leaving to find him. That’s nonnegotiable. You won’t be safe until he’s dead or behind bars.” His eyes glint dangerously under the light. “While I would prefer him dead, I know you don’t want that. I’ll compromise on that, but I won’t compromise on this. I’m going after him.”
“Fine. But I’m not going to Vince’s.”
“Why not? His house is the safest place for you right now. You can’t stay here. It’s an active crime scene. Xavier will come with you.”
“I’m not going to the Romano family, Asher.”
“Vince isn’t just a Romano. He’s my family, too.”
“I know that, and I have nothing against him, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a Romano. And turning to a Romano after an attack like this will look bad to the board.”
“Fuck the damn board, Lucy. It’s you I care about.”
“But you care about your company, too.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of those three words.
And it’s because I feel the same way that I notice what he’s feeling right now.
“Asher… Are you scared?” I ask, surprised.
“No, I’m rationally concerned.”
