Page 34 of Forged in Deception

She felt a flash of guilt. Maybe he had been waiting for her when she finally went to bed, after all. Not that there was anything she could do about it now.

Bajwa was already talking to her about his plans for the day, but the first moment that he paused and looked away from her, she turned and offered Axel the sweetest smile she could muster. She hoped it was clear to him that ‘I’m sorry’ was what she meant.

He returned her smile with a wink. She was pretty sure that all was forgiven, and for some reason, it made her feel all warm and giddy inside.

She couldn’t deny it.

It was kind of nice having someone worry about her for a change.

Even if it was only because she’d hired him to do it.

Though how that explained his shameless flirting, she had no idea.

She couldn’t wait to get away from Senera and find a job in some new lab, where she could find her next scientific breakthrough in peace.

Men were way, way too complicated.

ASHER

Asher tapped his fingertips against the table impatiently as hewaited for the others to finish their breakfast. All morning, he’d found himself struggling to sit still. It didn’t help that he’d slept terribly after that wolf had woken him up, and it helped even less when he’d had to take a freezing cold hike down here to the main retreat area before sunrise to avoid being seen.

He’d expected Karlin to reach the dining hall early, too, but when he saw her, it became obvious that she’d slept as poorly as he had. Something had kept her awake and away from their meeting. Probably Bajwa.

She had dark circles under her eyes, and for the first time since he’d met her, she had her hair in a slightly crooked messy bun rather than a sleek ponytail. Not that it took anything away from her striking features. He was pretty sure it would take a lot more than being tired to make her look anything less than gorgeous.

He’d stolen several glances in her direction as she ate, but her expression bore few clues to how she was feeling or what she was thinking.

Finally, Bajwa finished his own food and got to his feet, ushering everyone to get up and move in closer. Asher did as he was told, but already he was halfway tuned out. He had heard so many Bajwa rah-rah sessions that they were starting to blend together.

“This morning, I will spare you the preamble,” Bajwa said, grinning broadly as the group of patients gathered around him. “At sunset, you will take your first dose of DX8!”

Lily and Cora started cheering, and Asher tried his best to match their enthusiasm. Paul and Destiny clapped along and smiled, but he could see the uncertainty in both of their eyes. He sent up a silent prayer for them both that they would come out of this retreat unscathed, both physically and spiritually. Once again, he found himself curious about what had drawn them here in the first place, despite their obvious misgivings.

“What will we be doing until sunset?” Lily asked as the applause died down. Asher stood up straighter, his interest piqued. There were a lot of hours ahead before the Texan sun slipped below the horizon. Maybe he’d get a chance to slip away and talk to Karlin alone after all.

But when Bajwa spoke, his hopes were immediately dashed.

“We have a guest yoga and meditation instructor visiting us today,” he said, looking down at his watch. “She should be here momentarily, actually. Her name is Tourmaline Kelly, and she’s going to help you all prepare spiritually for this exciting new experience.”

“Her name isTourmaline?” Asher asked, unable to contain the snort that escaped him.

Karlin’s gaze in his direction was easy to read this time. Actually, he’d call it more of a glare.

“Yes, and she’s very good at what she does, Mr. Bishop,” Bajwa said, raising a single eyebrow. He reminded Asher of his high school principal, who he’d gotten to know very well during his four-year sentence.

Before he could say more, Destiny cleared her throat.

“Excuse me, Dr. Bajwa?”

He looked away from Asher and turned to the woman with a smile. “Yes?”

Destiny glanced at the rest of the group before clearing her throat a second time. “I don’t want to be a pain, but as a Christian, yoga makes me kind of uncomfortable, and I didn’t realize that it was going to be a part of this retreat.”

Paul nodded, but said nothing. Bajwa’s smile froze on his face, and Karlin’s expression, as usual, was impossible for Asher to read.

Cora rolled her eyes and tucked a strand of wavy brown hair behind her ear. “Group unity is important,” she said. “No offense, but I don’t think your personal religious beliefs shouldget in the way of that. Not that I’m, like, against Jesus or anything.”

Asher noticed Ned standing off near the buffet, seemingly listening in.

---