17. Ares
Seventeen
Ares
My head spun due to the painkillers and the influx of memories that surrounded her.
I could still feel her touch lingering on my skin and the worst part was—I didn’t hate it.
In fact, I didn’t want to leave her apartment earlier.
Amala’s swift response to my dire situation despite her obvious hatred towards me was somewhat admirable and gave me slight heart palpitations.
For the second time this month, I found myself mindlessly flocking towards her.
I didn’t lie when I said her apartment happened to be closest to my location but in that moment—I couldn’t think of anyone else that would’ve assisted me in that manner.
Both Nick and Kayden were too far away and she handled it well.
Just like she was trained to do.
She kept me awake, remained calm under pressure, and handled me with both gentleness and roughness.
She forced me to focus on her but if only she knew that I always focused on her. Even when I didn’t want to.
In a room full of people, my eyes would always find her.
Involuntarily but inevitably.
The knock on my door dragged me back to reality and I clenched my jaw as I stood up from my lying position on the couch.
There were two officers stationed outside of my house, for safety purposes.
Asher called me after I left the hospital, informing me of the recent discovery in the case and assigning the officers to watch over me.
Leaving no room for argument.
I opened the door, swallowing hard when Amala stood before me. “Hey.” I greeted. “Come in.” Not waiting for a response.
She smiled, not fully but it definitely overrode her constant scowl.
“Thank you.”
She said and I inhaled sharply when that gourmand cherry scent hit my nose. “How are you feeling?” She asked almost awkwardly and I could relate.
Yes, there was some progression in our partnership but this wasn’t normal for us.
I hadn’t even noticed the bag in her hand and gestured toward the couch. “I’ve been better,”
I answered truthfully, distracted by the perfume and her long, luscious hair swaying from side to side.
“I brought you food. Figured you’d need it after today.” This woman was smart but so oblivious to the fact that she was currently making matters worse. “Asher partnered me with Nick while you’re recovering.”
“You didn’t have to but I appreciate it.” We sat down simultaneously and she set the bag down onto the glass table. “I heard, he gave me a courtesy call which obviously included a scolding.”
She laughed softly, a sound that I suddenly wanted to hear more of. “Obviously.”
She crossed one leg over the other and I willed myself to focus on her face and nowhere else.
“Seems like this case goes much deeper than we thought and Eric was just a ploy in the grand scheme of things.”
I straightened my spine and ran a hand through my hair. “Are you okay?”
I asked.
Normally the question was out of habit.
Returning pleasantries but this time I was genuinely concerned about her.
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?”
“No need to be embarrassed. Were you worried about me?”
She walked towards the front door, only stopping to turn around so she could glare at me. “Is that why you were trying so hard to keep me awake, huh?”
“I’m not good at planning funerals but next time, I’ll be sure to make an exception for you.”
She yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind her—making me laugh softly as I sank into the couch.