Page 131 of Shadow

Asher was in the kitchen, standing where she’d left him.

She walked past him. Didn’t look at him. Didn’t speak. She headed to the living room. Asher appeared in the doorway. “Daph⁠—”

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “Don’t talk to me. Don’t explain. Don’t apologize. Just—don’t.” She finally looked at him. Let him see the emptiness in her eyes. “You don’t get to call me Daph anymore. You don’t get to act like we’re partners. Or anything else.”

Pain flashed across his face. “Understood,” he said quietly. “Agent Cross.”

She swallowed, lifted her chin, and then slowly pointed her Glock at him. “Now. Give me your weapon.”

Thirteen

The second Asher watched Daphne come down the stairs with her weapon drawn, he knew how their story would end.

Not with understanding. Not with forgiveness.

But with professional distance. Cold protocol.

And yeah, he deserved it. Deserved the weapon pointed at him. Deserved the empty look in her eyes.

Give me your weapon.

Asher’s jaw clenched. Standard procedure when someone was compromised. When trust was broken.

“Asher.” Her voice went harder. “Your weapon. Now.”

He reached slowly for his holster. Removed his Glock. Held it out grip first.

Daphne didn’t move to take it. Just stood there. Weapon still pointed at him. Eyes shiny.

“Put it on the table,” she said. “Step back.”

He placed the Glock on the coffee table. Stepped back three paces.

She wouldn’t look at him, but the tears in her eyes made his chest ache.

Then she raised her gun again. “I’m not kidding here, Asher.” Her voice was rough. Strained. “I need everything. The backup. The knife. Everything.”

His pocketknife.

Asher reached into his pocket. Pulled out the vintage pocketknife. Worn. Smooth.

He placed it on the table next to the Glock.

Daphne’s expression flickered. Just for a second. She picked it up, then instead of setting it down, palmed the blade against her wrist, hiding it as she lowered her hand back to her side.

“Now the ankle holster.”

“Sheesh. You don’t miss anything.” But he bent and removed the small .380 from his ankle holster. Placed it on the table.

Three weapons now.

Movement on the stairs. Destiny appeared. Hair disheveled. “What’s going on?” she asked. “Why are you holding a gun on Asher?”

Daphne didn’t look away from Asher, but she put her weapon away. Sighed. “Because he’s been working with Draven this whole time. Because he’s been lying to all of us. Because he’s compromised.”

“That’s not—” Asher started. Stopped. Because it wasn’t fair. But it also wasn’t entirely wrong. “That’s not exactly true.”

“That’s enough, Asher.”