Page 96 of Fractured Fear

His brain matter blows out the back of his skull as I shoot him right between the eyes.

“Oh, come on! I’m not scrubbing this place again. You get clean-up duty this time.”

CHAPTER 38

SPENCER

The day passes by at the pace of a sloth in New York traffic.

Extra. Fucking. Slow.

Laying down the law with Asher apparently has consequences. I don’t know what is with this large man having such a delicate ego, but punishing me because I told him to keep his hands to himself? It’s juvenile.

He hasn’t spoken a word to me all day. Everyone else? That is a different story.

Asher told Hayes he got in touch with his tattoo artist and is able to get him in for an appointment if he’s interested. He talked to Alma about her kids which had her batting her eyelashes at him as he fawned over the pictures she showed him on her phone. When Iris came by to eat lunch with Hayes, Asher charmed her with a smile that would make any woman swoon and willingly hand over her panties. He had her giggling like a preteen with uncontrollable hormones. The asshole even discussed the fucking economy with Paul. What started off as a conversation about Paul selling his teapots, turned into pricing and then morphed into supply and demand. The economy.

Are you kidding me?

But has the dimwitted giant uttered even a word in my direction? Nope. Not one.

Everyone can tell something is going on between Asher and me, judging by their glances that bounce back and forth between us. Today has been fucking peachy. Everyone is acting like Mom and Dad are fighting, which I guess you could say we are.

Oh! And the cherry on top. When I do look at Asher, half the time he’s staring at me with red hot lust in his eyes. Each time I felt electricity zap my chest and spread through my body causing my panties to dampen. I was tempted multiple times to go upstairs and change. I probably have a wet spot in between my legs. Just the reminder has my face turning bright red.

It doesn’t help that Zane wasn’t able to come by for lunch…again. He would have given me a reprieve from the man who suddenly turns mute when I’m within three feet of him.

When Asher came by my apartment this morning to walk me to work, he only nodded at Zane and Rio as they left. We didn’t even stop at The Mudhouse for coffee.

Maybe that’s what has me in such a state. Lack of caffeine. Yeah, that’s it.

Rationalizing my frustrations doesn’t do anything though. By the end of the day I am fuming. Fuckingfuming.

How dare he? I’m the one who told him to make up his mind and here he is acting like I’m a pariah. Well fuck that and fuck him.

You know you would.

I roll my eyes at my inner voice and murmur to myself, “Fucking horny ass bitch.”

“What was that?”

I blink and look up at Hayes. I didn’t realize he was so close or I would have cursed Inner Spencer out loud.

“Nothing.” I shake my head at Hayes and utilize the motion to jar the angry voice swirling around in my skull. That bitch in there is helping no one.

“Okay, well I’m going to take off then. I got everything wiped down and put away.”

I blink again and realize everyone has gone home and it’s getting late. I normally close later, but it was Asher’s grand idea that I should close at five p.m. until my attacker is caught, and it wasn’t a suggestion he even brought up to me. No, no. He went behind my back and discussed it with Hayes, Alma, Paul, and Iris. They all agreed and Iris made temporary signs to hang in the door. That’s how I found out.

“Thanks, Hayes. See you tomorrow,” I say with a tight smile.

“Night!”

And just like that, it’s me and my mute bodyguard. I didn’t realize how much of a buffer everyone else unknowingly offered until now. The silence booms in my ears and tension fills every nook and cranny in the studio.

Turning my focus Asher’s way, I catch him once again giving me that look. The look that promises the most delicious punishment.

What the hell did I do to earn a punishment from him?

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