Page 68 of Forged in Deception

“Thank you–”

“But it’s not my forgiveness that you’re looking for,” he added. “In the Psalms, it says that God casts our sins away as far as the east is from the west. He’s the only one who can free you from the darkness you’ve been carrying. He’s waiting for you. He loves you, and He wants to forgive you abundantly.”

“I’ll have to think about that.”

“I would hope so,” he joked, giving her another kiss on the head and pulling her closer.

She let herself lay back against his chest.

Despite the new uncertainties and hopes at war within her, she couldn’t help but to soak in just a little of this present joy.

This, right here, with his arms around her–this felt like something close to heaven on earth.

But the moment didn’t last.

They both leapt to their feet as they heard the sound of keys turning in the external office door.

CHAPTER

THIRTY

ASHER

The Amira Gorsky file still lay open on the desk.

Karlin was staring at it, stuck in place as the sound of jingling keys continued.

Asher swore. They should have photocopied it right away, but now it was too late. He scooped up the documents and opened the filing cabinet, shoving it into what he prayed was the proper place he’d found it in.

“Come on,” he said, gesturing toward the en suite bathroom. “Even if that’s the cleaning lady, we can’t be caught here.”

All at once, Karlin sprung into action, but to his surprise, she didn’t follow him. First, she yanked open the filing cabinet drawer and took the file.

“I’ll explain later,” she said, rushing over to the bathroom. “Just trust me.”

He didn’t have a choice. He could hear footsteps coming from somewhere near Bajwa’s secretary’s desk.

Unlike in the main office, there was one window near the bathroom ceiling that actually opened. He knelt down near the wall, placing his hands into a cradle position. “You first. Hurry.”

Karlin shut the bathroom door quietly behind her and placed a foot into his hands. “Don’t you dare drop me,” she ordered. “I hate heights.”

“We’re on the first floor!”

“Still!”

He chuckled as she put her weight against his hands. It was easy to forget that not everyone was like him and his brothers. Jumping from this kind of window was child’s play in his world.

She wobbled as he boosted her, but offered no further complaint. With some effort, she managed to shove the window open, just in time for him to hear someone entering Bajwa’s inner office behind them.

Karlin looked out the window, and then back down at him, her eyes wide. He knew from experience that it looked a lot higher than it was, but it didn’t matter. There was no option B.

He held her gaze and smiled up at her.

“Have faith.”

Finally, she jumped. And taking hold of the windowsill, he pulled himself up and through, just seconds behind her.

KARLIN

---