Page 54 of Reverence

Asher picked up after the second ring, splitting my focus between him and the bleeding man before me.

“Braun, speaking.” His deep, authoritative voice boomed through the speaker.

“Asher,” I answered, keeping my eyes on Ares.

He shook his head no, trying to grab hold of my phone but I moved backward.

“Rivera, is everything okay?” Asher asked and that’s when Ares got up, nearly collapsing on my floor while trying to snatch my phone.

He was successful in his endeavour and clicked the red button to end the call.

“What is wrong with you?” I snapped. “Sit down and give my phone back, Ares. Are you demented?”

“No.” He panted. “If I give you the phone back, promise me you won’t call anyone. Not even Braun.”

I furrowed my brows, looking at him in confusion.

“Why not, Ares? What’s going on?”

The alarm bells sounded in my head. If this case felt off for me, then surely he shared the same sentiments.

“Just listen to me for once. Just this once.”

Normally I wouldn’t have considered listening but the crack in his voice wasn’t normal. It was extremely uncharacteristic.

“Tell me why?”

“I think this has something to do with the case we’re working on. I don’t trust anyone.”

“Do you trust me?” I asked and he looked at me with hooded eyes.

“I wouldn’t be here right now if I didn’t trust you. Just please, listen to me. If you want to call someone. Call Nick or Kayden.”

“How are you sure it’s related to the case?

“We went undercover last night and all of a sudden this morning I’m being shot at?”

He made an extremely valid point and I pursed my lips.

“Fine. I won’t tell our superiors yet.” I said sternly. “Now sit down,” I said before walking towards my bathroom, heading straight for the cabinet to grab my first aid kit.

ARES

Amala returned with a first aid kit in hand, concern etched onto her face.

Life had the best sense of humor I’d ever experienced, except I didn’t find anything amusing about this predicament.

“You’ll need to remove your shirt.” She instructed and I watched her with hooded eyes.

Trying my best not to succumb to sleep. “I understand your feelings of suspicion but Asher needs to be informed about this soon and why didn’t you go to the hospital?”

“Normally we’d go on a date first and feign interest in each other before I remove my clothing.”

I joked but she looked at me with a straight face, blinking slowly.

The expression screamed really motherfucker?

“Who did this to you, Ares?” I hissed as I removed the cloth from the wound, slowly unbuttoning my shirt.