Trent
“STILL NOT TALKING TOme?”
I turned to find Tia at my side, her usually brazen smile now hesitant. I’d just stepped into the restaurant and she’d come down the passage from the bathrooms. “What makes you think that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. The fact that you’ve ignored me every time you’ve been here after the club incident.” When I said nothing, she took a step forward. “Look, I know you’re angry but someday you’ll understand that I do care deeply for Rika. I love her like a sister. And yes, I fucked up that night but I was just trying to get her to unwind.”
“By leaving her with a pervert?” I snorted.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“But it did.” I wasn’t sure if I trusted her yet. “Where’s Ash?”
“Upstairs. She hasn’t been down since Monday.”
I frowned. “That was three days ago.”
Tia nodded. “She walked in here on Monday morning, told us she wasn’t feeling well and said not to disturb her. I tried going up, but she won’t open the door.” She eyed me quizzically. “What happened?”
“Zayne,” I muttered and exited the door, leaving her to decide whether she wanted to question him. Because I sure as fuck wanted to. I had no idea what went down that morning Ashrika arrived on my doorstep, dejected and crying but I’d promised to give her time. That time was up and I wanted answers, especially from Zayne. When I reached the rear, I tried her phone first before pounding on the door.
She answered on the fourth ring, “Hi.” She sounded tired.
“Hi. Were you sleeping?”
“No. The restaurant’s been hectic, just tired,” she lied.
“It’s day three, sweetheart and I haven’t heard from you. My cock’s taken offence that you just used him with no follow up,” I tried to lighten the tension I could hear in her voice and I was right.
Her laugh lacked its usual spark. “I’m sorry, I should’ve called.”
“Well, all you have to do, is open your door and I’m sure he’ll give you a little happy twitch when he sees you.”
“You’re downstairs?”
“Yes.”
There was a long pause before, “So, you know I lied just now?”
“Yes. Now open the door or I swear I’ll get a locksmith or the ‘jaws of life’ out here, if I have to,” I warned. She muttered something before cutting the call. A few seconds later, I heard the deadbolt slide before the metal door clanged open. She looked tired and melted into my arms the second I stepped toward her. “Tia says you’ve been holed up in this place since Monday. You ready to talk to me?” I kissed her brow when she leaned back.
“I’m in this weird situation I don’t know how to handle. I just needed time, I guess.” She sighed. “Do you want to come up?”
I shook my head, knowing she could do with some air. “Let’s stand out there for a bit.” I pointed to the rail overlooking the harbor.
