Page 82 of Trial of Deceit

Two of the guards entered the room.Jediah moved out of the way as they crossed the room in quick strides and restrained Ashari by her arms.She flailed against them, hurling protests and insults at the top of her voice.

“Mind her belly…” Jediah muttered.

Elias stooped before Ashari, then secured an ankle bracelet onto her right foot.He stood while the guards freed her.While the guards left the room, Elias lingered, staring at Ashari in sympathy.

Ashari’s breaths were short and quick as she looked at the ankle bracelet pressing into the softness of her skin.She bent over and reached for it.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jediah advised.

Ashari’s fingers froze, just shy of touching the bracelet.Her head snapped up, a crazed look in her eyes.“You think I’d come back if I was against you?!You promised me you would never lock me up again!”

While motioning for Elias to leave the room, Jediah continued speaking as if he hadn’t heard what Ashari had said.“If you try to go beyond the gazebo or the driveway…” He clasped his hands, then opened his fingers while bringing his hands further apart.“Jediah: three.Ashari: zero.”

Ashari froze.She slowly moved her hands away from the bracelet then stood upright.“You’re gonna kill me?Even though you know that I’m pregnant, and that I—”

“You what?”

Her mouth snapped shut.Lifting her chin, Ashari spun around and crossed her arms.She sneered at Jediah’s reflection, then uncrossed her arms to grab onto the back of the chair.Slowly, she lowered herself onto it, returning to her original position.“Call Bryony.I need more ointment.”

“No.Suffer.”Jediah exited the room and slammed the door shut.The door’s lockclickedfrom the outside.

Ashari’s sneer deepened.“Since you wanna be petty, I’ll never tell you what Kayon hid from you.”

Jediah took a sip from his drink before placing the glass on the desk beside all the pieces he’d captured with his black chess pieces.He focused on the board as he said to Sahil, “Did you come to speak or look at me?”

“Speak,” Sahil answered.“But yu naa look pon me.”

“Don’ need mi eye dem fi listen.”His brows furrowed as he stared at the rook.He’d planned on moving it, but if he did, he could use the white knight to capture one of his black pieces.

Jediah was annoyed.It’d been a long day.His patience was wearing thin from the situation with his wife, this game, and the man sitting across from him.Sahil had arrived as the last set of patrons was leaving.He’d told Elias he wouldn’t leave without speaking to Jediah.

Sahil grunted before asking calmly, “Where’s Acacia?Mi need fi finally thank her fi wa she do fi wi family.Raven seh—”

“She’s out of the hospital?”

Sahil, shuffling about, cleared his throat.“Yes.”

“Hmm.Interesting,” Jediah said.“Thought it’d just be you and Mrs.Majors tonight.”

“Raven woulda never miss tonight.Shi been a call Acacia and naa get her.”

Jediah looked from the board to raise a brow at Sahil.“What about you?Did you call Acacia?”

Sahil shook his head.“Neva have a reason to.Mi know she in a good hands.”Sahil’s eyes drifted to Elias, who’d shuffled about on his feet.

Jediah shifted his gaze to his adviser.“Is there a problem, Eli?”

“No,” Elias replied tightly.

Jediah’s gaze lingered on Elias, daring him to say more.When Elias remained quiet, Jediah looked at Sahil.“Tell Raven to mind her business.My wife and I aren’t her concern.”

“Wife?”Sahil asked, his eyes brightening.He clapped his hands.“Mi did know yu mean business!The engagement was too long anyway.Mi glad yu do the right thing and just marry Acacia.Mi can finally expand—”

“I will not protect you,” Jediah interrupted, and Sahil’s mood dampened.“I did my part of the deal and got married.You will receive protection if someone attacks you.Not if you attack them.”

“A no so this work.”

“Are you asking or telling me?”

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