2. Amala
Two
Amala
“Nicolas and Mariana, you two will handle the kidnapping case in Icarus, Kayden and Trevor will be in charge of the cybersecurity breach in Lacrimosa, Amala and Ares will be on administrative duty.”
My eyes snapped to Asher’s but I remained silent, observing him from the back of the room.
I bit my tongue, I couldn’t afford to be classified as insubordinate.
Ares’ frown deepened and that’s one thing that filled me with immense satisfaction. His demise happened to bring me feelings of blissfulness.
I blinked slowly, dissociating from the meeting. A bad habit that I couldn’t seem to break.
Administration didn’t require my full attention, unless there was important documentation that was unsupervised which was highly unlikely.
“Yes, Ares,” Asher said, nodding his head to indicate the man could speak.
“Sir, with all due respect,” my eyes shifted to the sound of the voice and I gazed at him with a straight face despite my violent intrusive thoughts towards him. “I don’t understand why I’m being assigned to administration.”
Even though he hadn’t uttered the words, I could immediately sense the incomplete sentence.
He probably wanted to question why we’d been partnered yet again.
“Would you really like to discuss the logistics right now, Valiente?” Nicolas and Kayden looked in their friend’s direction, seemingly aware of the logistics.
“Yes, sir.” he challenged.
The formality added a sense of respect but everyone knew how defensive Ares could become, especially when something didn’t go according to his plan.
Asher stepped forward, holding both hands behind his back.
His demeanor screamed authoritative and the stern facial expression made it clear that he didn’t want to be questioned on his choice of assignment.
“You’re incapable of working as part of a team. You’ve always been a lone wolf—determined to do everything yourself, answer to no one, and operate on your own terms. This position requires the exact opposite.”
Ares’ jaw ticked.
“Until you can prove that you’re capable of working with someone else, you’ll remain in that administration office. And while you’re there, you’ll show me that you can handle something as simple as filing, organising, and completing your assignments alongside your partner.”
Asher never missed the opportunity to rip people to shreds.
“Consider it your chance to prove that you’re more than just a liability when you’re not working alone.”
I huffed in amusement and I noticed Ares visibly tensing.
“If you have any issues with that, you’re welcome to take it up with Stephanie.” The Assistant Special Agent in Charge and the woman who happened to be even stricter than Asher.
“Or you could file a formal complaint and try to get a transfer to another department.”
Silence.
Everybody sat quietly as this scene unfolded.
“Have I made myself clear, Valiente?”
He simply nodded, sinking into his seat. When the meeting concluded, Asher told me to hang ten.
Unlike my partner, I didn’t vocalise my dissatisfaction. Especially not in a professional environment.
I bottled everything inside until those ill feelings seeped out of my pores, then I’d consume an endless amount of tea to avoid going into an alcoholic spiral.
“You’re awfully quiet today.” he said whilst gathering the case files that were placed on a nearby desk.
“I didn’t realise I should’ve spoken during that briefing.” his movements ceased as he looked at me.
“Amala.” he sounded like a father figure when he used that tone. “Do you forget that I’ve interrogated criminals before? Even if they don’t confess, their body language and eyes always give them away.”
“Are you saying that I’m a criminal?” I quipped but he looked at me with that blank expression.
“I’m saying that you’re not as subtle as you think.”
I stood up from my seat, tucking both hands into my black cargo pants. “I know you’re not happy about being assigned to work with Ares, but the animosity between you two is almost palpable and I can’t condone that.”
“It won’t affect my ability to do my job or work with him out in the field, if that’s what you’re concerned about, sir.” Asher shook his head, making me clench my jaw.
“I can’t take that chance. If you’re out in the field I can’t afford to have any hostility between my agents. You’re supposed to watch each other’s six. Trust each other. Rely on each other. The slightest hesitation could cost me an agent.”
Arguing with this man would clearly be pointless so I nodded.
Despite my dislike for Ares, I would never be the reason someone else took his life.
If he was going to die, it would be by my hand—and judging by the number of times I’d nearly killed him already, that possibility wasn’t exactly far-fetched.
Not that I’d ever see it through, I refused to have that on my conscience or risk going to prison for a lowly man.
“Okay, understood.” When Asher realised I wasn’t going to discuss this any further he finally dismissed me.
Gabriella and Nicolas glared at each other, whilst I sat quietly and waited for the rest of the group to arrive. “I can’t control who I’m partnered with, Gabriella.” I felt like a child, watching their parents argue.
It wasn’t as awkward but it still made me sink into my seat.
I wasn’t going to get involved. “You could’ve asked Asher to make an exception. I’m sure he would’ve done so, I don’t like Mariana.”
I unlocked my phone, switching from application to application. “Fuck’s sake,” Nicolas huffed. “I’m not doing this with you right now.”
“Of course you’re not,” Gabriella muttered. “That’s what you’ve been doing lately. Diverting the conversation.”
My notes app suddenly became more appealing than usual and I typed my grocery list into it. Trying my utmost best to mind my business.
“Are you serious right now?” Nicolas asked. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was frowning. “Is that what this is about? You’re upset because I don’t want to indulge your arguments?”
“Indulge?” Gabriella asked sarcastically. “Please don’t make me laugh, Nicolas.”
Where the hell was Kehlani when I needed her?
“Amala, please correct me if I’m wrong but did Mariana not throw herself at him just a few months ago?”
Shit.
My gaze shifted from him to her, forcing me between a rock and a hard place.
In the midst of responding, Kehlani, Kayden, and Ares approached the table—easing the tension and saving me from the potential involvement.
Nicolas eyed her before saying. “We’ll continue this later.”
Gabriella scoffed and focused her attention on everyone else.
She plastered a smile on her face and I released a soft sigh of relief.
I greeted everyone except Ares and sat back down. Luckily the restaurant wasn’t crowded and we managed to secure a booth—which provided a sense of privacy.
The guys were having a conversation and Gabriella pulled us along with her to the restroom.
According to the waitress, our food would be ready in approximately fifteen minutes to twenty minutes.
Giving us enough time to calm Gabriella down. “He’s infuriating. If the roles were reversed he would’ve forced me to work with someone else.”
“According to Kayden, Asher can be extremely intimidating and stern. So I understand his point of view but I also get where you’re coming from babe.” Kehlani reassured. “Amala, what’s your take on this? Do you think Nicolas could perhaps request to be partnered with someone else?”
I leaned against the sink, one foot in front of the other. “It’s possible,” I said. “Depending on the reasoning but Braun’s not the easiest to sway. If anything, he’ll force Nicolas to work with her on every case. He’s spiteful at times. To teach us a lesson.”
Gabs sighed, coming to stand next to me. “Perhaps I’m overreacting.”
Kehlani and I looked at each other briefly. “No, you’re not. You have every right to feel that way given the circumstances.” I fixed her curls.
“What I will say though, is that Nicolas loves you, more than anything. He’d go to war for you, so I know he won’t do anything to jeopardise your relationship and you’ve got me. I’ll keep an eye on, Mariana. If she steps out of line, I’ll be there.”
My last sentence made her laugh and she smiled, showcasing those cute dimples. “I love the two of you. Thank you for letting me crash out.”
“Babe, we’ve got you.” Kehlani pinched her cheek. “We don’t tolerate nonsense. Especially, Amala.” I nodded while chuckling, pointing at her in agreement.
A few minutes later we returned to our table and luckily for us, our food arrived and still happened to be piping hot. Ares sat beside me, making me internally cringe.
My gaze landed on Gabriella and Nicolas. He leaned closer, whispering something in her ear.
She gave him a small smile, his plan must’ve been working. “Do you trust me?” Was the last thing I heard him ask before Ares’ voice cut through the air.
“Could you pass me the salt?”
My fork stopped midair and I turned to look at him, his eyes already trained on me.
I didn’t react or move, causing him to frown. “Did you forget your manners at home?” I asked. “Oh, wait. You don’t have any.”
“What would you know about manners?” He retorted. “The salt.”
I pushed the fork into my mouth, chewing my pasta slowly—ignoring him once more.
“No,” I said firmly after I swallowed my food.
“Why are you like this?” His voice was laced with irritation. “Am I supposed to hover across the table? It’s right there.”
“All you have to do is ask nicely.” I taunted. “It’s really not that hard. Could you please pass me the salt, Amala?” I grabbed the shaker, bringing it closer. “I know you can do it.”
He narrowed his eyes, smiling at me in a sadistic manner. “Could you please pass me the salt,” He paused. “Bruja.”
He added softly making me laugh humorlessly, while I handed the shaker to him.
He grabbed it from my grasp, slamming it onto the table after use.
Everyone’s head snapped in his direction and I licked my lips to hide my amusement.
“You good man?” Kayden asked, patting his shoulder.
“Never been better.” He answered sarcastically and I laughed softly, feeling triumphant after witnessing his annoyed state.