Chapter 68
ALICIA
I don't make it to the library before the door opens and Ash comes striding out. One look at his face and I know he wants to smash someone's head against the wall.
I'm being nice.
I know he'd prefer to take a gun to someone's head and pull the trigger, then watch as the person's blood seeps out at an alarming rate while slugging back liqueur as he discusses business.
Yeah, I know - I've got an overactive imagination.
Whatever the case may be, tacky-blonde cop must have said, or done something to make him get this way.
I bring one hand up and hook it at my waist as he comes to a stop in front of me. "What the fuck did that woman want with you, and why did you drag her into the library?"
His jaw clenches, a sign of his budding anger, but when he speaks, it comes out almost as a whisper. "Don't use that word when my baby is still inside of you."
I lift a brow as my second hand comes to rest on the other side of my waist. Where his voice was low, mine is loud. "What word?"
His face clears, giving way to a smile so breathtaking, my anger is momentarily forgotten. He expels a chuckle as he jerks his hand behind him. "If I had fucked her, I'd still be in there with her."
It feels like I was just slapped as my head rocks back and my mouth opens.
"It's a good thing I'm in love with you and have no eyes for another woman." And just like that, my heart melts. He continues, louder this time. "Mi Amore, please stop this inquisition because we have guests to attend to."
Smiling, he takes my hand in his, and all thoughts of the tacky-blonde cop are forgotten, but only for the meantime. I know when to sheath my claws. There'll be time enough to ask him later, much later when it's just the two of us.
Hand in hand, we walk past Clarissa, whose mouth hangs open, and outside the door. Everyone is coupled up now, dancing to the music, except Senator Lyons who immediately makes his way to us. There's a strange look on his face as his eyes settle on Ash. "I know you can do anything you set your heart to, but what I don't understand is how you're able to be in two places at the same time."
My brows furrow at his words. Is he high or just trying to poke fun?
He shrugs and walks away. That's when it hits me. Ash and I turn to look at each other at the same time. It's on the tip of my lips to call Senator Lyons, but Ash shakes his head. I must be telepathic because as he gives me a look, I understand clearly. We don't want his twin to know that we know he's around.
Ash speaks to his men who are dancing, via hidden microphones inside his jacket, and it's subtle, but I see them straightening up. My eyes sweep across the throng of people swaying to the music until it latches onto someone at the far end by the fountain. He's backing us, but I can see he's got a drink in his hand. He's wearing a black suit, the same as all the other men are wearing.
He's got the same build as Ash, the same dark brown hair, and even the same cut of the suit Ash is wearing.
He's trying to blend in. . .
No! He's completely blended in.
I clutch Ash's arm same time as he turns to me, and I jerk my head toward where his look-alike is still standing and backing us, no doubt planning some nefarious activity, but Ash has already seen him and is already striding toward him, with me in tow.
Excitement zings through me. It's happening, it's really happening, but as we walk closer, a feeling that something is off beclouds me.
Why is he just standing there in plain sight and not moving?
Does he want to get caught?
My mouth hangs open in understanding the closer we get to him. He's not standing there because he wishes to be caught. He's standing there because it's not really him. I see it now. Even before Ash lets go of my hand and sweeps me behind him as we get close, then touches his arm, maybe to get him to turn around before he puts him in a choke-hold, I know what will happen.
The man's arm twists out of his shoulder socket and out of Ash's hand before falling to the ground. So does the rest of his body as well as the glass he's holding. As it shatters, I flinch, and Ash is by my side in an instant, ushering me away, but I tear from his grasp and walk to the front of what was once a man.
Laying on the ground, is a plastic image of Ash, or his look-alike, with fragments of the glass scattered all around it.
It was a decoy.
I knew it. This man won't allow himself to get caught just like that. I try to reign in my anger but it comes out anyway - as tears. And Ash takes it the wrong way. "Come on, Hazel eyes, don't be scared, we're gonna catch the bastard."
I watch with budding anger as he speaks to his men via the mic in his jacket, and from the corner of my eyes, I look up to see them scattering in various directions. One comes toward us, but Ash shakes his head and he walks away in another direction.
That bastard outwitted us. Once again, he's eluded our grasp. He's probably somewhere watching us and laughing to himself how stupid we are to have fallen for his dumb prank. I unknowingly ball my hands into fists as I face Ash. "What does he want? What does your evil twin want, huh?"
I watch as Ash's face contorts at my words. It's his turn to look like he's been slapped.
"What did you just say?"
I open my mouth to speak, but someone else beats me to it. "Ah! You must be a miracle worker because you talked about me and I appeared."
A short distance from us stands the man in question, and he's not alone.