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A gasp yanks from my lungs as the gun swings toward the familiar voice coming from the other side of the railing. Alik’s hands raise as he steps into view. “It’s just me.”
I lower the gun on a deep sigh, the piece of metal suddenly heavy.
“Alik. What are you doing? I could’vekilledyou.”
He chuckles as he climbs the stairs and gently pulls the gun from my hand. “Not likely.” He hoists the gun onto his shoulder. “But it’s cute that you think so.”
“Why were you sneaking up like that?” I cross my arms over my chest, cold air biting into my skin.
Alik looks down at my arms and takes off his jacket. “I wanted to see which of you was here.”
Which of me…
Oh.
My cheeks heat as he drapes his fleece jacket over me, enveloping me in his scent, then spins me to lead us inside. “I’m not gonna lie to you, seeing you half-naked wielding a shotgun… My guess wasnotOlive.” He laughs like it’s a joke between the two of us, but I don’t see the humor.
He shuts the door once we’re inside, and I sit down at the kitchen table.
“What’s wrong?” His voice dips low, dripping with concern, like he truly doesn’t understand.
He doesn’t. He thinks she’s … what, funny? How?
He should be running away from me. Not laughing at me.
My eyes water, and Alik must see it because he drags my chair closer and gently guides me onto his lap. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head.
He takes my face in his hands and turns it so I’m looking at him. His brows are pulled together with concern, and his eyes hold a kindness to them I never saw before he got to know me. Beforenow.
He feels warm. And far more protective than dangerous right now. He’s softer. Kinder. Part of me can’t help but wonder if he reserves that kindness just for me. Maybe it’s a fantasy, but… I’ve wanted this man for so long. Now he’s here.
I can’t help but feel it’s too good to be true.
“Is it me you want?” I whisper, pulling my face from his hands. “Or is it her?”
He rears back. “What?”
I look away, and this time, he doesn’t bring my eyes back to him. “I blacked out the night you came to my apartment… Did you meet her then? Have you been seeing her this entire time?”
“What?” he repeats, this time with an incredulous laugh. “You can’t be serious.”
I clench my jaw to keep myself from saying anything. I don’t know how much I trust this dream I’ve been living. It doesn’t make sense that he’s here. It doesn’t make sense that he still wants me … unless he wants her too.
“She’s trying toframeme.”
“Is that why you’re sleeping with her? Is sheforcingyou to do that, or else she’ll pin you for the murder of a living person?” I scoff and cross my arms, wincing when I scrape my fresh tattoo. I catch Alik’s eyes on the gauze, and when he goes to remove it, I put my hand on his but only make a weak attempt to stop him.
His head tilts while he looks at the fresh, tiny bird. He reaches out to carefully run his thumb over the tattoo before bringing his hand back and studying the smudged blood on his thumb. There’s a question in his eyes when he finds mine, but he doesn’t voice it. Doesn’t attempt to change the subject.
I look down at my lap and catch his scent on his jacket. My eyes close on impulse as I breathe in the woody mix of pine and sage.
“I did it myself,” I explain.
He places the gauze back over the bird, gingerly pressing his fingers over the tape to stick it to my flesh. “You’re talented.”
I bite my cheek while letting seconds pass, hoping he’ll ease my worries.
