Page 72 of Tainted Truth

“Consider it taken care of. I’ll send Diego and Mateo by to pick him up.”

“We’re doing a temporary move into the city. I’ll leave a key under the doormat.”

“I’ll be sure to water your plants,” Gabriel replies sarcastically then hangs up.

Asher approaches me in the kitchen with his partners, Berkowitz and Kowalski. I’ve never learned their first names andnever intend to. Asher never calls them by their first names, anyway.

Their expressions are serious, as always, but there’s a different feel to the energy in the air this time.

Before I can ask what’s going on, Asher gets right to the point. “The DNA results are back.”

“From the Butcher and Spencer’s attacker?”

He nods. “They’re the same.”

“Fuck me.” I tip my head back and stare at the ceiling as if it’s supposed to have all the answers written out plainly for me right there. “What should we do next?”

“The plan hasn’t changed. We were operating under the assumption that Anthony and the Bride Butcher were the same person, and now we know for sure that’s true.”

Berkowitz gives his two cents. “If anything, now we’ll all be more prepared.”

“We?” I raise my brows at Asher.

“Yes,we. Berkowitz and Kowalski are going to help keep an eye on Spencer when needed.”

“Okay . . . ?”

Asher turns to his partners. “Can you two find out how much longer the crime scene techs will be?”

They look at each other, confused, and then Kowalski speaks up. “Sure thing, man.”

Once they’re out of earshot, I whisper, “What the hell? You said the leak was one of them. Why are you letting them get closer?”

“So I can figure out which one it is,” he says like that’s the obvious answer.

“Spencer could get hurt in the process,” I hiss.

He places a hand on my shoulder to soothe my worries. “We’ll take extra precautions. Between the three of us, we’ll keep her safe.”

“That better be how it goes down. She’s been through enough. She doesn’t need more shit piled on her.”

Asher’s face turns hard and determined. “Spencer is ours, and we protect what’s ours.”

CHAPTER 31

SPENCER

Packing my things was quick. Rio and Zane insisted I bring all the clothes they bought me, but fortunately, I was only able to fit so much in my bag. I carried Abuela’s urn in my lap on the drive through downtown and to my apartment, which was uneventful, thank God.

After the last couple of days, I need some normalcy. I suppose it’s a new normal I’m seeking, seeing as how I’ve agreed to stay.

We brought both Asher’s Camaro and Zane’s Honda. How they’ll both find parking, I’m not sure, but I’m telling myself that’s their problem. Not mine.

When we arrive the next morning, Asher and Rio go upstairs to my apartment to clear each room, leaving Zane and I standing on the sidewalk with my duffle.

“Do we have to stay here, or can we go inside Abstract Dreams while we wait?”

Zane frowns and nods his head. “Yeah, we can go inside.”

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