He always swore allegiance, but I could see the doubts on his face, the feeling of uncertainty that he’d joined an organization that didn’t truly align with what he wanted to do. He’d felt trapped, a man who was far smarter than his place in life, and while he’d never admit it, I knew he felt like he’d landed in a place more corrupt than he’d wished.
Or maybe I was seeing too much of the good in him, and I needed to remind myself that a man like that doesn’t just “fall into” something like the King’s Men. But either way…
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing with me, Leigh.”
Conversation shifted back to the food and other light topics that were appropriate for new coworkers to talk about. If nothing else, at least I’d have a coworker that I could talk to and not hate. Of course, that was another case of me needing to be better about looking on the honest side, not the bright side, but what could I say? I preferred to see the best in people.
At least, though, the goal of having work be as stressless and easy as possible was one that seemed reasonable enough.
* * *
The rest of the workday went by in a breeze. I stayed after Carl and Leigh left, just to give the impression that I was there to work. I wouldn’t do it regularly, but first impressions went a long way.Then again, given how weird Carl is, he’s probably afraid to say anything. And not like Leigh is my supervisor and can say anything.
But still. Good start all around. Perhaps it’ll continue with Ash.
When I finally did head to my car, I made my way over to the apartment complex where I was set to finalize a rental agreement. I’d be paying a bit more than I did in Vegas, a hair over $1,100 per month, but it was closer to the heart of the city and in a great spot.
Well, at least the reviews from the previous months said it was, but who knew these days with apparent violence increases.
I signed the deal, got my keys, headed to my apartment, opened the door, looked out the window, and smiled at the view.
And then, after three minutes of enjoying downtown Phoenix, I turned around and realized I had an empty apartment, no bed, and no food. I’d probably need to crash at a hotel to have a bed tonight, but I could at least get started by running to the grocery store and maybe a Home Depot type place to get some stuff.
I hurried through the grocery run; until I was more situated, I was only buying non-perishable items or that which I could freeze. Healthy eating, I was not going to be doing.
I got to Home Depot and made my way to the frames aisle, looking for different things I could use to decorate my new place. I hadn’t unpacked much from Vegas; actually, I hadn’tpackedmuch from Vegas, period. I was going to be making a lot of trips back and forth in the weekends to come. I walked around the aisle some, admiring different things. I turned the corner—
And it was him.
It was…
Ash.
Asher Miller.
Myhusband.
Asher
What the fuck wasshedoing here?
And how the fuck did she find me?
This was wrong, all fucking wrong. No way was she supposed to ever find me. Hell, no way was anyone whom I didn’t want to find me be able to discover me. And now, just on a fucking shopping trip, my cover had already been blown?
Get it together, Asher. You fucking idiot.
I turned away as if that would magically work. No, prolonged eye contact followed by a sudden jerk away wasn’t suspicious at all. Surely, if I did that with King or one of the King’s Men, that would work perfectly. Nothing could go wrong!
Fucking idiot I was.
“Ash?”
I closed my eyes and let out a very long sigh. Why even bother? The woman had made the effort to come all the way down to Phoenix, ignoring my constant insistence that I was dead and should be treated as such. The least I could do…well, the least I could do for someone I still wanted to do well, if not be with, was to acknowledge the truth.
“Keep your voice down and don’t you dare say that name,” I growled. “I’m dead to many people. I’d like to keep it that way.”
“I knew you nev—”
