Page 78

IN TOO DEEP

ASHER

Ishould sleep, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Diya.

I stood up, stalking the entire length of the small room. She wouldn’t be safe in that stupid cottage. Anyone could easily walk in and take her away. Just like that.

It took me a moment to realize this feeling.

Worry. Fuck, I was worried. It had been a while since I let anything or anyone come close to me. And I wasn’t planning to.

She was strong, cunning, and a better predator than I could ever be. Yet, here I was.

Why did I even care?

She promised to help me.

That was a lie.

Why did the thought of her in pain bother me so much? After everything I did to try and kill her.

I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Especially not for her.

Cursing myself and that little troublemaker, I unlocked the door to my room and strode toward the back entrance of the asylum building.

I was closer to her cottage when someone grabbed my hair, yanking me back with enough force to rip it all off.

I jumped and almost let out a squawk when she pressed the knife to the back of my neck.

I won’t look good bald.

“You came.”

“It’s me. Fuck… Diya, it’s me,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t simply slice my head off.

“Asher? What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay inside?” she snapped, the edge of the blade cutting into my skin.

Her grip on my hair loosened, but the knife didn’t move.

“I came to collect my debt,” I said, and I was instantly met with an incinerating glare. If looks could burn you to ashes… “Do you mind taking that away?”

“Must I? I should just kill you instead. You’re one stubborn, delusional piece of shit, with no sense of timing. Or common sense,” she said with a sigh. “You think you have everything figured out? Vincent would…”

“Oh, fuck Vincent and fuck you, Sharma. Don’t start,” I said, grabbing her wrist. She struggled for a second and then stopped. “You know exactly what I’m capable of when pushed. Don’t push me.”

“What will you do if I push you?” She blinked up at me, and I didn’t miss the curiosity in her eyes. “What can you do?”

“Anything. Everything,” I said, leaning closer. She moved until her skin was against my lips.

“Would you chase me through the woods and then…”

“Then…” I bit her ear and she yelped, jumping back from me. “Why did you stop, Little Psycho?”

“You know… that’s not a nice nickname, Pussycat.”

I huffed, grabbing her by her waist, and pulling her closer to me.

“And I’ll catch you and I’ll fuck you until you remember no one else but me until you become…” MINE. “Become insane with your need for me.”