Page 51 of Revenge

“What were you in for?”

“Which time?” He snorts.

“Umm.”

“Relax, Charlee. I’m messin’ with you.” He chuckles. “I guess you could say I was a product of my environment. Started with stupid shit like boostin’ cars and worked my way up from there.”

“You ever kill anyone?” I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s like I have diarrhea of the mouth and I can’t stop talking.

“Have you?” He turns my question back around on me.

“Sorry. Stupid question.”

“It’s fine. Let’s just say I was young and stupid, and leave it at that.”

“Fair enough.” Our conversation dies as I nod and glance back up to the TV. I cheer every time Maze kicks some punk’s ass and Carl just laughs at me. We lose track of time as we’re sucked into episode after episode.

While we’re watching the last episode of season one, the front door bursts open and in strolls Asher. He doesn’t even spare us a glance as he rushes up the stairs into his room. Carl calls out to him a couple of times, but it’s like he’s lost in a trance and never answers.

“He’ll be all right. He just needs a minute to get his head on straight.” Zane walks into the living room and leans against the nearby wall.

Axel comes in behind him, and when his blue eyes glance up at the TV, he grins. “This show is awesome. Linda is the shit.”

Carl gives me a knowing look before he stands up and makes his way to the door. “Well, since y’all are back in one piece, I’m gonna head back home.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Zane follows him outside with Axel trailing behind them. I get the feeling they want to talk in private, which is fine. I have a bone to pick with the one upstairs because he has another thing coming if he thinks I’m not going to be giving him any shit after what he pulled tonight. All anger disappears when I get to his room, though.

Asher’s covered in blood. He looks like a nightmare come to life, one I should be running away from, but sometimes a little danger is good for the soul.

Chapter Thirty-One

Asher

I turn on the shower before moving to the sink. The reflection staring back at me from the mirror is one I don’t recognize anymore. Blood stains my hands and face, but a grin breaks free as I hear Mateo’s screams begging for mercy. Mercy I didn’t give. Mercy nobody gave to Lauren or our child. Justice was served tonight.

My hands begin to tremble as the earlier adrenaline rush wears off. I grip the sides of the cool porcelain, dirtying the pristine white with my sins. My heart pounds as I take slow, deep breaths. Every inch of my skin feels like a live wire ready to explode while I struggle to get the bastard’s words out of my head. He could have just been talking shit, but something in my gut isn’t convinced of that.

Movement off to the left catches my eye through the mirror, and as I twist around, my throat goes dry at the image before me. Charlee is standing there in my shirt and nothing else. All of the blood rushes straight to my dick at the sight.

“What are you doing in here?” My voice comes out rough and dry, like I’ve swallowed nails.

She crosses her arms over her chest and meets my stare head-on. “I saw you run up the stairs like your ass was on fire and wanted to check on you.” Her head lifts and the second her green eyes meet mine, everything inside of me stills. This is the closest she’s come to seeing me for what I truly am.

Dressed in black from head to toe, I look like the grim reaper ready to snuff out her last breath, but she isn’t running. She moves forward until her toes are touching the tips of my boots. I watch, waiting for fear to take over, but her gaze remains steady and calm as she sees the blood on my hands.

“Are you hurt?” she asks.

“No.” I shake my head and swallow the lump forming in my throat. If she only knew what I’ve done—that I’m no better than the man she called father—I don’t think she’d be looking at me the same way.

The steam from the shower begins to swirl around us like a cloud of smoke, but my attention never strays from her. I’m standing here, exposed and raw. As much as I hate it, I still want her to see all of me, see the kind of man I am. And if she wants to run, I’ll let her go this time. It’ll gut me, but for her, I’ll do it.

“Is that your blood?” Her green eyes narrow as she takes in more of my appearance.

“No.” Seeing her in my clothes has my blood pumping so hard that I can’t give any more than one-word answers.

A sigh escapes those plump lips as her arms slide down my chest to the bottom of my shirt, the touch of her fingers igniting a hunger deep inside of me, one that only she can sate. My mouth waters, wanting to taste every inch of her olive skin with my tongue. It’s wreaking havoc on my insides, but I stay firmly rooted to my spot, enjoying her newfound boldness.

Fire burns behind her eyes as she gives a slight tug on the cotton. “I want to see you. All of you.”

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