Page 48 of Ashes

And even if there are, who the fuck cares?

Paola stares deep into my eyes, and her lips are so damn close to mine that I do the only thing that makes sense.

I kiss her.

She kisses me back, her lips moving against mine with so much passion we can barely catch our breaths.

A knock on the door forces us apart.

“Come in,” I say.

One of my men pokes his head inside.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, sir,” he says. “Are you still planning to take care of the mole? Your father is getting impatient.”

I frown.

What mole?

“What are you talking about?”

“Um, we talked about it this morning, sir.”

Ah, yes.

“Right.” I forgot all about it.

I glance at Paola.

It’s so weird.

Before, I was looking forward to going on missions and catching moles. It was my only way to feel something and do something that seemed fun.

But now...

Now I’d rather be with Paola, and that’s disturbing.

“I’m coming,” I say.

Paola crosses her arms.

“We’ll practice later,” I tell her.

She just gives me a nod, but she’s disappointed.

I can see it in her eyes, and I don’t like it.

But I have to stop thinking about her so much.

I have to get my head back in the game.

I stride to the door, and it almost feels like I’m running away.

***

IPOINT MY GUN AT THEblond guy with blue eyes who’s tied to a chair.

I should just pull the trigger.