Page 21 of Ghost
I followed, at a loss for words, as he strode through the kitchen and entered the crime scene.
Chapter Eight
Titus
Poison
I began to pack my briefcase with a newfound sense of urgency. Damen might have sounded nonchalant, but the fact he took the time to mention Bianca was with him meant I had to hurry.
Although, why he had taken her to a crime scene—well, we better hear about that later. Damen was impulsive, but he also wasn’t stupid. Which meant something had rattled him enough to cause him to make such a huge mistake.
We had agreed on keeping Bianca out of the center of things, to hide her from the attention of the elders for as long as we possibly could. After all, until we figured out what exactly Finn had been doing, it really wouldn’t be helpful to have them asking questions.
“Just where do you think you’re going?” Maria’s sharp, feminine tones snapped through the room. “You have a four thirty with Oliver. You already ditched him the other day. If you want that contract, it cannot happen again.”
I froze—not in fear—but in… alarm at the sound of her voice. She had been on a mission at my request, and I hadn’t expected her back for another hour, at least.
“Maria!” I tried to sound nonchalant and happy to see her as I kicked my briefcase behind my desk. Hopefully she hadn’t even noticedwhatI had been putting in there. “What are you doing back already?”
The lithe blonde stood in my double wide doorway, looking pissed. She didn’t respond at first. Instead, her wire-framed glasses glittered in the office lights as she put her hands on her hips. “Answer me. And why are you taking that with you?”
Shit. She had noticed.
“Oh, Maria…” I tried to look charming. Granted, it probably wouldn’t work, considering. But she was scary, and I had to do something. I only needed to escape. “I have—”
“Don’t you make those stupid doe eyes at me.” She shot me a disgusted look. “Other people might consider you to be attractive. But I fail to see the appeal, myself.”
I was losing. “Maria—”
“And no, I’m not covering for you again so you can go to the black markets.” She pointed in my direction, her graceful features harsh and unrelenting. “TheHello Kittyconvention can wait.”
How could she make fun of me? “I’m not going shopping!”
“Liar!” Maria pulled out a small box—the item which I had sent her to retrieve—and tossed it at me. “And here.”
My heart almost pounded out of my chest, and I lunged toward it, catching it midair.
“Don’t break it!” I chastised, clothing it for a moment. Then, as gently as possible, I opened the small box and touched the jewels inside. “Why are you so indelicate?”
“Relax, homeboy.” Maria rolled her eyes. “It’s not like you can wear it anyway. So I’m not sure why you are bothering now. Even your hair isn’t long enough to—”
Her sentence ended in a shocked gasp, and she watched me with wide eyes. “Don’t tell me that you have a girlfriend?”
Double shit. This was exactly what we didn’t want to happen.
I had to stop this before it became problematic. If Maria found out about Bianca, she’d never leave it alone.
Leaning against my desk, I tried to act casual. Besides, there wasn’t anything to get defensive over. Ididn’thave a girlfriend. Although, I couldn’t deny a certain adorable brunette becoming my girlfriend held certain appeal. “No, I—”
“Oh my God.” Maria was suddenly in my face, staring directly into my eyes.
I flinched back, in surprise. Because Maria was one of the few people who was brave enough to try to challenge me. It wasn’t often, but when it happened it was still slightly unnerving.
“Even if youdidn’thave a girlfriend, you’re still crushing on this chick. When the hell did this happen?”
A few days ago, actually. But I wasn’t going to admit that out loud. I couldn’t even explain it, myself. “I’m not crushing.”
“Is the hairpin for her?” she asked, her brown eyes searching my expression. “She’s adorable, isn’t she? You’ve been so stubborn for so long. No one has ever fit your type. She must be small, short, brunette, and green-eyed. I would bet that she even dresses femininely and likes cute things too. And her voice, it must be musical.”
