Page 64 of Trial of Deceit

Ashari sucked in a breath.She spun around, shocked as she met Dimitri’s hard gaze.“Dimitri,” Ashari said, willing her features to even out so she could force her most believable smile.“Me a look for the bathroom.”

Dimitri crossed his huge arms over his chest.The angry grimace on his face marred his features, making him appear more rugged with his locs pulled back.

Her lie didn’t work.Neither did her forced smile.So, she decided to be honest.“And I was curious about the noise…”

“It’s none of your business.”Unfolding his arms, Dimitri reached an arm out.His hand locked around her arm, holding it in a death grip as he began dragging her away from the door.

Her heart raced as she realized they were going back toward Jediah’s office.She tugged against Dimitri, but all her attempts were futile.Her exhaustive F.B.I.physical training should’ve kicked in on instinct, but she’d never been better than the average fighter.Was never even close to the talent of Romar.Ashari’s strength faded in comparison to this bulky man, who was tattooed with battle scars and boasted the title of head of a private security company for a reason.

“Dimitri, wait!”Ashari begged, fighting harder to break free.“Let’s talk this out!”She dug her heels into the floor, but that didn’t hinder Dimitri either.

Dimitri ignored her pleas as he tugged her along.When they were close to the mainroom, he gave her a warning glare to act normal.Finally, he stopped before a door.He made her stand before him, then used his free arm to reach over her shoulder.He knocked on the door twice, then opened it while simultaneously releasing her arm.The area burned, but she fought the urge to soothe it with a gentle rub.

Jediah was exiting the bathroom.His brows furrowed at them.If he saw the horror in her eyes, he didn’t mention it.He looked over her shoulders at Dimitri.“Wa happen?”

“She got lost, so I showed the way back,” Dimitri explained.

“Ah.Thanks,” Jediah said, and Dimitri hummed.He moved toward his desk.

Ashari stopped breathing.She looked over her shoulder at Dimitri.He gave her a brief glance before he turned and walked down the hallway.Ashari’s mouth gaped as she watched him.

Why did he lie to Jediah for her?

Ashari couldn’t be grateful.Dimitri’s actions left her apprehensive about the future.

After a full day of being dragged from one meeting to the next, Ashari was thankful to be back at the estate.The new driver parked before the stairs and Jediah opened the door for Ashari.Jediah stared at her with his hand out, and Ashari stared blankly at him.When would he drop this act?He was a criminal, not a gentleman, and she would never allow him to convince her otherwise.

Ashari pushed him out of her way, almost twisting her ankle as she took the first step out of the vehicle.She yelped while falling forward.Jediah’s arms wrapped around her, preventing her fall as she clung onto him.Embarrassment consumed her as she looked up at him.Jediah grinned.

“You won’t let me be a gentleman, yet you’re still falling for me,” he teased.

Ashari scowled, yanked herself out of his hold, and began walking away.

“I’m patient, Ash!”Jediah yelled at her back while closing the SUV’s door, and Dimitri chuckled.

Ashari froze as the sound.The men continued approaching her from behind.She recovered quickly and continued into the house.

A loud ruckus was coming from somewhere.Ashari’s brows furrowed, and she disregarded the sound as she continued further into the house.She didn’t want to linger around Dimitri.From the delicious aroma of steak and creamed spinach coming from the kitchen, Bryony must’ve just finished making dinner.Ashari’s belly grumbled as she arrived on Jediah’s wing.The noise was louder now, adding to her worry.Her hands began to sweat and her heart pumped faster as fear built in her gut and spread across her body.

Ashari was about to turn around and sprint to the kitchen.Maybe she could shake this bad feeling if she attached herself to Bryony’s hip for the rest of the night.She paused as a man exited the bedroom.His skin and clothing were speckled by dust.He gave her a tired grin before continuing down the hallway with two plyboards tucked beneath his arms.

Overcome by curiosity, she continued into the bedroom.Every piece of furniture in the bedroom was covered by tarps.Standing by the doorway of the bathroom, she gasped.

Blue collar workers were moving about the bathroom.They had a case of beer atop the sink and a speaker blasting dancehall music over the sounds of them beating hammers into nails, drilling screws into the walls, and sweeping away debris.

The bath tub was gone.

A vanity was in its place.

The tension left Ashari’s body as she continued to watch the men work.Her heart raced as warmth grew in her gut, then exploded outward, filling every crevice of her body and making goose bumps cover her skin.A small smile built on her face — one she couldn’t hide; one she didn’t attempt to.

Her cheeks stung as she stared at the vanity.Its wooden grain matched that of the rest of the furniture in the bathroom.It had a stool, several drawers, and a large rectangular-shaped mirror with lights.All of her products and packs of braiding hair were stacked in the boxes that were pushed to a corner.

Still smiling, Ashari left the men to continue their work.She arrived in the dining room, eager to thank Jediah, but paused when she noticed he was busy.

Jediah sat at the head of the table.He was silently reading from the paper in his hands while Reine stood close to him.

“Your grade in Chemistry dropped to a seventy-nine,” Jediah said disapprovingly.

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