Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
ASHER
F uck me. This woman is too good to be real. At her core, she’s kind and thoughtful, and I don’t deserve her tender love and care.
I jerk my hands away from Spencer’s body, and she stirs in her sleep.
My hands—these hands—they don’t deserve her soft curves. I may not regret the lives I’ve taken, but I know my actions mean I don’t get to bask in the peace she brings me.
Silently, I slip out of my bed, immediately feeling the loss of her warmth. I take one last moment to drink her in—this brave woman who brought me out of the dark when I was drowning in my nightmare.
I slip on a pair of gray sweatpants and head downstairs. When I get to the kitchen, I find that I’m not alone. Rio is there with a cup of coffee in hand. He raises a brow in my direction, but I ignore it and pour myself a cup even though it’s two in the morning.
“You two weren’t very quiet,” he comments from behind his mug with a smile.
“Shut up, dickhead,” I snap.
“I’m just saying, for someone who claims they don’t want her?—”
“Drop it,” I growl and lean back against the countertop, taking a sip of my coffee.
Rio raises his hands in surrender, still holding his mug, and keeps smiling. “Okay, okay. Consider it dropped. But . . .” His smile drops. “Be kind.”
“Huh?”
“You gave her an ultimatum, so consider this mine. Don’t lead her on. If you insist on keeping your distance, then you need to do just that.”
I clench my jaw. “She came into my room tonight.”
“Did you suddenly lose the ability to say no?”
Like I could have said no when I woke up with Spencer on top of me. Then she made her way down my body and . . .
Ignoring his point, I switch subjects. “What did you learn about Anthony? I’ve been busy with the shitshow left for my team by the fucking Bride Butcher— I hate that name.”
“Well . . .” Rio trails off as his eyes wander to the side.
I narrow my eyes. “Please tell me you actually got answers.”
“She’s definitely staying.”
We’ll see.
“And . . .” I prompt.
“We know Anthony raped her.”
I set my mug down harder than necessary. “We all already guessed that! How is that news?”
“Now we know for sure.” Rio casually shrugs.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and squeeze my eyes closed. “Do I have to do this myself?”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“We need more. There’s more she’s not telling us.” I down the rest of my coffee and set my cup in the sink. “When everyone is up later, we’re going into the office—together. It’s time Spencer stopped hiding behind her fear and gave us the truth.”
I don’t care how beautiful she is, and I don’t care how she effortlessly draws me in. Spencer needs to give us some damn answers so I can keep my family in one piece.