Chapter Eighteen #2
As I drew closer to the door, I heard a flurry of whispers and Carrie’s giggle.
“Cardinal, be quiet,” Margo hissed. “God, you could never be a secret agent.”
“Of course not. Did you hear my damn knees crack like Rice Krispies on the way up those stairs? I wasn’t put on this earth for stealth missions.”
I looked to the ceiling, my nostrils flaring as I ground my teeth to the point of pain.
These fucking women.
“Wait,” Angel whispered, the sound of her voice calming me, “that was you?”
“Yeah,” Carrie sighed. A soft bang followed, and then a string of curses from Margo after that. “You okay?”
“No,” Margo grumbled. “Ash’s office is fucking disorganized, and who the fuck needs a killer whale paperweight?”
I opened the door. “I do, Margo.”
Carrie squealed, Margo jumped, and Angel paled, her eyes locking on mine. I folded my arms over my chest, glaring at them. “Care to tell me what the fuck you’re doing in my office?” I asked darkly.
Margo cleared her throat. “Well—”
“Not you,” I said, holding my hand up. I pointed at my beauty. “You.”
Angel let the papers in her hands fall onto my desk, and in that moment, I looked around.
My file cabinet was open, but all the files labeled confidential were neatly stacked on my office chair which was pushed out to the side.
There were some papers scattered over my desk, but that was the only mess I could see.
Margo and Carrie took tentative steps toward each other.
“Care and Margo,” I drawled, looking at them. “Grayson and Hayes need you to call them.”
Carrie winced. “How mad is he?”
I ticked my head to the side. “Do you care?”
“I mean, no, because I can do what I want.”
“Damn straight, Cardinal,” Margo murmured, beaming at her friend proudly.
“But I don’t want him to worry,” Carrie finished.
I pressed my lips together and jerked my head toward the door. “Then I would go call him before he loses his shit.”
She shot a worried look at Margo and Angel.
“Margo, Mitchell needs you to grab some shit from his office.” I sighed.
Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“You should know that Mitchell is going to make the most of any situation,” I deadpanned. “He needs his gym bag and more red pens.”
After that, they didn’t put up much of a fight and left the room.
I followed, closing the door behind them before turning and leaning against it.
My eyes landed on Angel. The pale glow of the city lights illuminated her in a way that reminded me of the dreams I used to have of her.
Dreams of a happier time where we were safe and nothing dark could ever touch us again.
Fury burned my tongue, but I did my best to keep my voice gentle. “What are you doing here?”
She wrapped her arms around herself. She was still in the simple black dress from the funeral.
The skirt stopped just below her knee and the neckline hung in an elegant swoop, highlighting her gorgeous skin and collarbones.
Her hair was down now, cascading on either side of her face, stopping just below her shoulders.
Her bottom lip was swollen. She’d been biting it.
A nervous habit, I’d gathered from the short time we’d been together.
“I was looking for something,” she said. Her voice didn’t waver, and there wasn’t a shred of fear in her honey eyes.
“Looking for something?” I parroted. I nodded and looked out the windows, folding my arms over my chest.
“Yes.”
I was scared shitless, but I couldn’t let her see. If she wanted to know the truth, then I would give it to her. To hell with the rules. Finally, I looked over to her, finding her in front of my desk now. “And did you, anima gemella mia, find what you were looking for?”
She shook head.
A deep hum left me. “Do you want to know why you didn’t?” I tested her.
“Because it’s what you and Jake were working on in the conference room,” she whispered.
My jaw jumped. “Yeah, baby. It is.”
“I need something from you, Ash.”
“I know you do.”
“Are you going to give it to me?” she asked, stepping forward, searching my face.
I pushed off the door, meeting her in the middle of my office. Her hands came to my sides, her fingers gripping my shirt as mine cupped her face, tipping her head back. “I told you I’d do anything for you,” I murmured, my lips inches from hers.
“So you’re not mad that I broke into your office?” she panted.
I smiled against her mouth. “No, baby. You can do whatever the fuck you want as long as you’re safe.”
“And I was safe doing that?”
My lips pressed against hers, and I kissed her until we were both panting. My blood coursed through my veins, my body buzzing with gratitude and fear. “You’re always safe here,” I promised.
Her hands moved up to my shoulders. “You’re hiding something from me.”
“No, I was trying to assess the situation before I brought it to you.”
“Do you have a lead on Felix’s murderer?”
“No, but I think this all might be in connection to Benson.”
I felt her stiffen against me. “Am I in danger, Ash?”
“I don’t know.”
She stepped back, shaking her head. “This doesn’t make any sense,” she whispered more so to herself than to me. She went to the windows, staring out at the city, her arms wrapped around herself. “None of this makes sense.”
“I know,” I said, coming to stand behind her. Before I could get my arms around her, she sidestepped me.
“No, Asher, you don’t get it.” Her hands went into her hair as she tipped her head back, muttering some sort of plea.
My brows snapped together, the hairs on the back of my neck standing. “What don’t I get?” I pressed. “Talk to me, Angel.”