Page 91 of River of Deceit

Not that I’ve done any better.

I’m not any closer to finding out who roofied Carly, or who seduced and murdered Rachel.

“Well, if you beat me to it, that’ll take care of things, right?” I answer with fake cheer. I take a step closer and run my fingers along the length of his bulging arm. “Maybe we should exchange notes though. I can tell you who needs a few bones broken, which assholes need reaming…”

Which cunt needs fucking, usually.

Weirdly, even though Reaper is definitely my type, I’m not actually that interested in following through.

I’m more doing all of this out of habit.

What’s changed? Why isn’t my heart in this flirtation?

Before I can think on that, someone else approaches — someone who does make my chest tighten uncharacteristically.

Asch stands there, glaring down at me. “Pandora.” He glances aside at Reaper and Carly, his expression turning wary as he takes in the sight of the former. “You and I need to talk.”

I slot myself closer to Asch. “Hey, Asch. Have you met Reaper? He’s Carly’s protective big brother, apparently.” I squeeze Asch’s bicep. “Hmm. You need to lift more, Asch. Your muscles don’t compare to his.”

Asch rolls his eyes. “Yeah, I’ll get right on that.” He glances back at Reaper. “We know each other,” he says. “Reaper, mind if I steal Pandora for a few minutes?”

Reaper’s eyes narrow. “She isn’t mine. But Nu Rho isn’t like Chaos. We don’t buy and sell women.”

Asch blinks at him, looking genuinely taken aback. “Excuse me?” Anger edges his voice as he goes on, “Kappa Alpha doesn’t buy or sell women. Jesus Christ.”

My interest is piqued though. I let go of Asch and get closer to Reaper again. “You got proof to back that claim?”

It’s the first real lead I’ve gotten in ages, aside from all the ties to the Bouchard Syndicate.

Reaper clenches his fist. After a few moments, he shakes his head. “No.” He puts his arm around Carly. “Let’s go. Don’t get close to Chaos again.”

“I wasn’t going to!” Carly says, but she grabs her backpack and lets Reaper lead her away.

She looks over her shoulder and mouths‘later’ at me.

Yeah. I definitely need to have a nice, long chat with Carly and her brother.

I turn back to Asch. “Thanks. You ruined a nice chat with a hot guy. I could have been getting laid right around now.”

Let’s see what he thinks about that.

“Just as long as you’re not trying to hump Blaze’s leg,” Asch says snidely.

“You’re his bitch, not me,” I point out.

Asch bares his teeth at me. “You think I’m a bitchnow? Wait and see what happens if you keep fucking with him. I’m serious, Pandora. Back off.”

Doesn’t he know that telling me not to do something is a surefire way to ensure I’ll keep doing it? Even Mama learned that lesson quickly.

I go to him and wrap my arms around his neck. “Yeah? Or else what, Asch?”

He tenses but doesn’t pull away. “Your family can’t protect you here.”

I kiss his chin, enjoying the feeling of scruff. “No, but if something happens to me, I know what their reaction would be.” I tap my fingers along his jaw. “I think they’d strap you downand make you watch while they cut Blaze open. He’d lose more than a finger before they’re through with him.”

Fuck, there’s something wrong with me that the image of cutting Blaze open is starting to turn me on.

Scratch that, I already know there’s something wrong with me, so why not go with it?