Page 59 of Reverence

In fact, I didn’t want to leave her apartment earlier.

Amala’s swift response to my dire situation despite her obvious hatred towards me was somewhat admirable and gave me slight heart palpitations.

For the second time this month, I found myself mindlessly flocking towards her.

I didn’t lie when I said her apartment happened to be closest to my location but in that moment—I couldn’t think of anyone else that would’ve assisted me in that manner.

Both Nick and Kayden were too far away and she handled it well.

Just like she was trained to do.

She kept me awake, remained calm under pressure, and handled me with both gentleness and roughness.

She forced me to focus on her but if only she knew that I always focused on her. Even when I didn’t want to.

In a room full of people, my eyes would always find her.

Involuntarily but inevitably.

The knock on my door dragged me back to reality and I clenched my jaw as I stood up from my lying position on the couch.

There were two officers stationed outside of my house, for safety purposes.

Asher called me after I left the hospital, informing me of the recent discovery in the case and assigning the officers to watch over me.

Leaving no room for argument.

I opened the door, swallowing hard when Amala stood before me. “Hey.” I greeted. “Come in.” Not waiting for a response.

She smiled, not fully but it definitely overrode her constant scowl.

“Thank you.”

She said and I inhaled sharply when that gourmand cherry scent hit my nose. “How are you feeling?” She asked almost awkwardly and I could relate.

Yes, there was some progression in our partnership but this wasn’t normal for us.

I hadn’t even noticed the bag in her hand and gestured toward the couch. “I’ve been better,”

I answered truthfully, distracted by the perfume and her long, luscious hair swaying from side to side.

“I brought you food. Figured you’d need it after today.” This woman was smart but so oblivious to the fact that she was currently making matters worse. “Asher partnered me with Nick while you’re recovering.”

“You didn’t have to but I appreciate it.” We sat down simultaneously and she set the bag down onto the glass table. “I heard, he gave me a courtesy call which obviously included a scolding.”

She laughed softly, a sound that I suddenly wanted to hear more of. “Obviously.”

She crossed one leg over the other and I willed myself to focus on her face and nowhere else.

“Seems like this case goes much deeper than we thought and Eric was just a ploy in the grand scheme of things.”

I straightened my spine and ran a hand through my hair. “Are you okay?”

I asked.

Normally the question was out of habit.

Returning pleasantries but this time I was genuinely concerned about her.