Olivia trudges to the group and she tries to get back into the conversation but her mind is preoccupied with Asher’s odd behavior.She glances at the mob boss.Olivia had never really seen Asher in his element, surrounded by the clan he built and created alongside his brother. Olivia has been watching him the whole night, stealing peeps here and there, observing the way Asher commands his underlings, this aura of authority natural yet calm, uncontested yet respectful and kind as Asher would give ‘Thank you’s, reassuring words and approvals to his members for a job well done tonight.So, Olivia quickly noticed the sour turn in Asher’s mood.The boss seems… pissed off, for lack of a better word. Asher’s gaze is darkened with a veil of ire as he surveys the room or peers outside the windows, leaning against the edge of the table.Olivia isn’t the only one to have caught wind of the mob boss’ aggravating temper if the way everyone deftly avoids the table Asher claimed as is any hint, non
A lull floats between Olivia and Asher, one peering at the other while the second stares outside, and Olivia exerts a patience she hasn’t known very often, waiting for Asher to formulate his thoughts.“Ugly emotion,” Asher eventually says as he sits back against the table, facing the room again.Olivia’s lips part to ask what the mob boss exactly means by that, but it suddenly dawns on her. “Oh. You’re jealous,” Olivia uselessly states and it’s received by a side glance. “Of what?”“Who,” Asher replies and Olivia follows her gaze born somewhere in the dining room.“Bruno? You’re jealous of him? Or of me?”“Why the f*ck would I be jealous of you regarding him?” Asher snaps.“So, you’re jealous of him regarding me.”“Well observed, detective,” Asher mouths off with a downturn of his lips.“Hey don’t sass me. Pissed off you is surprisingly bratty,” Olivia frowns. “So, I’m right?” She’s momentarily distracted by the way the muscles of Asher’s jaw shift under the skin as he visibly grits h
Olivia is silent, the minutes elapsing as her slow dance with Asher does and it’s comfortable, even if some of the tension in Asher is still present. But Asher isn’t pushing Olivia away anymore because he understood.“You deserve better than what I can give you.”And Olivia understands now, any sense of confusion eroding inside her. She comprehends where the jealousy comes from now, that it’s elicited by Ash’s self-loathing and everything falls into pieces.“Ash, you deserve me. I deserve you.”“You deserve better than me.”“I don’t but even if I did, then what?” Olivia reclines to glare at Asher. “It’s my choice to make, not yours. And I chose you. It doesn’t matter whether I deserve better or not. It doesn’t matter to me. I just want you, okay?”Asher’s pinched lips furl up and when Olivia tries to catch the boss’ gaze the latter averts his eyes.“Look at me. Ash. Look at me.”Asher’s gaze meets Olivia’s, any sentiment hidden behind a veil of indifference and Olivia can’t have that.
“Can we go sit on the couch?” Olivia asks and leans her head back to peer at Asher. “We’re not even dancing anyway.”“Let’s do that” Asher retracts his arms at the same time Olivia does and grabs both of their glasses with a hand.There’s something about the way Asher takes Olivia’s left wrist in his fingers to lead them to the living room that pleasantly has Olivia let herself be guided, this curious will to comply unraveling in her and she says “Ash?”“Yeah?”“Is there something you want me to do tonight?” Olivia asks as she sits down in the corner of the available couch facing the large TV.“Huh? How so?” Asher wonders and settles next to Olivia.“Just…” Olivia trails back to her and Asher’s earlier conversation tonight. “Just something or several things you want me to do,” Olivia says, hushing her voice to make sure only Asher can hear her as she twists her torso to face him.“Can you…” Asher’s eyes narrow in confusion. “Stay close to me?”“That’s not— Don’t ask.” Olivia sighs. Sh
Asher hums with a kiss on the snake, his and Olivia’s gaze meeting for a second. “Ready?”“Ready.”Olivia braces herself with a hand that she cards through Asher’s strands, pushing the hair back to have a better view of Asher’s face. Pain flares on the side of Olivia’s hip and she hisses, fingers tightening around Asher’s locks. “F*ck.”Olivia had not questioned why she enjoyed the dull throb when Asher bit her on her bed, however, she does now, even more so when she asks Asher to bite a little harder, a little more painful.And it’s different this time, Olivia realizes. Where Asher only bit her thigh before, here there is a faint suction as the teeth bore deeper into the flesh and she hadn’t noticed earlier the way Asher’s tongue is pressed against her skin, or how Asher’s breath tickles Olivia.It’s over too quickly as Asher lets go, Olivia’s hand slackening its hold on the boss’ hair. Asher’s tongue darts out to lick at his lips as he watches the blooming bruises and Olivia peers d
After asserting Asher’s consent, Olivia breathes out a ‘Thank you’ that she never finishes to say because she relents into her want and her teeth gnaw on the dip of Asher’s neck, Olivia strangely enjoying the feeling of nibbling on the skin.Olivia emits a low hum when Asher’s hand trails along her spine to halt at the nape, the hold secure and comforting as Olivia opens her mouth a little more to properly bite onto the flesh. She releases her grip a moment to admire her work and notices then the trace of spit glistening on Asher’s skin.Olivia fruitlessly tries to dry the wet spot with a flick of her tongue and Asher’s fingers tighten on her nape before they crawl upward to rake their nails on Olivia’s scalp. Asher does not seem to mind so Olivia does it again, her tongue and its piercing licking a brief stripe on the joint of Asher’s throat and shoulder where she bit a mark.“Taste good,” Olivia says, which is borderline psychotic considering the fact that she just complimented a m
“How is that any of our fault?” Olivia frowns.“Because he was terrified after realizing he flirted with Ash’s girl,” Steve deadpans, elbows propped on the arms of the armchair Bruno was previously seated on.“He was being friendly,” Olivia stresses.“He was definitely flirting with you,” Asher and Steve both say simultaneously, the former leaning forward to rest his glass on the table and serve himself some water.“I— Well, it’s not like I’m interested.”“And it’s not like he’ll ask you again now that he knows,” Steve says and stretches his legs, his hand folding over his belly.“Knows what?” Olivia asks.Steve quirks a brow. “That you’re Ash’s girl?”“She’s not my girl.”Asher’s denial is received with an affronted scoff on Olivia’s part. “Now that’s plain insulting and hypocritical after the jealous temper tantrum you pulled on me,” Olivia says, unfazed by the glare Asher pins her with.“What temper tantrum?” Steve wonders.“You didn’t notice his bitter brooding episode earlier ton
“Are you asking me?” Asher wonders with a squeeze on Olivia’s thigh.“Yeah, I am,” Olivia clarifies and she doesn’t have to wait for long for the boss’ response.“Honest or selfless reply?”“Honest.”Asher’s hand skids higher on Olivia’s thigh and two of his fingers dig into a bite, massaging at the sensitive skin. “It depends on what kind of outing it is.”“What kind of outing is it?” Olivia asks Mark who lost some of his composure in favor of a worried bewilderment.“Huh, I mean, a date?” Mark tentatively says.“A friendly one or something more?” Olivia asks.Mark peers at Asher before settling on Olivia. “Something more?”Olivia meets Asher’s eyes. “What do you think?”Asher’s response is immediate and concise, leaving no room for argument. “No.”The rush of satisfaction that unfurls within Olivia’s chest is untamed, coiling around the beast that lounges in the endless touches Asher and Olivia award each other with; in the way the mob boss’ refusal is adamant, its lack of shyness o
Group chatAsh: Is everyone here?Ash: We need to talk about the tournament nowAsh: Olivia received the invitationAJ: What?PS: You received yours as well Asher?Ash: I didn'tSL: You're not even her adopter yetAJ: That's weirdAsh: It may be because of NicolasAsh: Either way it happened and Olivia is participating in the tournamentAsh: I need everyone to be here so we can talk about itAsh: Olivia got the letter along with her keycard and a phoneWG: What did the letter say?OF: A summary of what TSM is and the rules about itOF: The fact that they kept using 'it' while talking about the hybrids pissed me offOF: F*cking a*sholesAsh: Hybrids are nothing to them aside from a source of money and entertainmentWG: What's TSM?Ash: The name of the tournament aka The Scarlet Masquerade, TSM for shortAsh: As I said previously TSM is a match to death with, more often than not, only one survivorAsh: It's brutal and unforgiving and no one ever comes out unscathed from itMC: Are you s
Ash: Olivia??Ash: What's happening?Ash: OliviaAsh: Members of the clan are on the wayAsh: They'll be there in less than thirty minutesOlivia: No Don'tOlivia: Call them backOlivia: I'm fineAsh: What the fuck do you mean you're fineOlivia: I made it sound worse than what it actually was and then I lost track of time dancingAsh: You'reOlivia: Don't be mean worried AsherAsh: I need a minuteOlivia: SorryOlivia: I should have sent another text to say I'm fine but it slipped my mindAsh: I thought something bad happened to you OliviaAsh: You can't do shit like thatAsh: Fucking hellAsh: I was a moment away from upturning the cityOlivia: I'm sorry...Olivia: I just wanted to distract myself from the creepy letter I gotAsh: A letter?Ash: This is what it's about?Olivia: YeahOlivia: There was a letter in my mailbox but the very creepy kindOlivia: There isn't even a returning or my own address on itAsh: Does it have a logo on it?Olivia: YesAsh: Red?Olivia: YesOlivia: Ho
Both stare at each other silently. Asher’s words ring in the silent room. His face is filled with uncertainty and hesitation but also assurance. He is willing to do that only if Olivia will accompany him during those nights.Olivia without even hearing his words understands the turmoil in Asher’s heart. “Of course, Asher. we can call, facetime, or text whenever there's one. I’ll always be there with you”“Thank you.” Asher’s face breaks into a smile.The genuine smile makes Olivia’s heart tingle “We'll make a bunch of good memories about storms so that the bad ones are gone.” She says with a smile.Asher looks surprised and delighted with the suggestion “I'd love that.”“Me too.”Olivia looks at Asher and suddenly she remembers something “Also, I'm learning how to bake.”“What? Why?” Asher looks confused and surprised.“I was supposed to give you a gift some time ago but it slipped my mind with all the mess that had been happening. And now I changed the present I want to give you.” Ol
They both go silent after that, looking at each other's faces not knowing what to say."What?” Olivia starts, she was offended by the silence from Asher “Did I say something wrong?" she asks Asher with a smile.Asher’s face lit up and he shook his head "No, not at all."His answer made Olivia satisfied, she nodded her head with a happy smile on her face. "Was there a thunder on your side?""Yeah, something like that." Asher’s face dims remembering the situation he was trying to ignore.Olivia notices and asks with a soft voice "Do you want to talk about it?"Asher looks startled "About what?" he asks with confusion."Why you're scared of storms."Asher peruses his lips and goes silent. His tongue comes out to lick his dry lips. He shifts on his bed curling on to himself "There's nothing much to say.""I'm still listening if you want to share." Olivia doesn’t prob, but still tries to talk to him.Asher is not someone who opens up to someone about his shortcomings. He has been trained t
Oly: What bad blood?Mia: I don’t know and Walter doesn’t know eitherOly: That’s weirdMia: A little yesMia: Plus he seems to really antagonize me for some reasonsOly: I seeMia: You’re starting to speak like himOly: Who?Mia: Ash -.-Oly: That’s because we’re rubbing off on each other :(Oly: I like him so much Mia he’s amazingOly: He has trouble understanding feelings and emotions and human relationships but he tries to despite everything he went throughOly: He could have given up, you know?Oly: If I were in his place I would have and I wouldn’t care about understandingMia: He’s an intelligent manOly: He isOly: I really like him a lotMia: Have you been testing the waters?Oly: A little? I don’t know how to do thatOly: I don’t flirt MiaOly: But maybeMia: Maybe?Oly: Maybe he likes me tooOly: MaybeOly: We’ll seeMia: That’s progress it’s okayMia: Anyway, I have to studyOly: Yes, yes, good luck and/or have funMia: Bye, will talk to you later* * * * * * * * * * * *A
Mia: He is a human Olivia, he's not a hybridMia was so confused about how did Olivia even got that thought in her pea-sized brain. She was still contemplating when Olivia replied to her message.Oly: What if he's just hiding it?Mia: He can adopt a hybridMia: Hybrids can't adopt another hybridMia tries to talk sense into Olivia who is very stubborn to listen to any of her explanations.Oly: Unless they falsified their documents and make themselves pass as a humanOly: Steve could have done thatMia: This is insaneOly: You didn't see him the way I didMia: Is it bothering you?Mia: Is this what it's about?Olivia is quick to rejectOly: NoOly: It's about how he behaved and the fact that I know he's hiding a secret from meOly: Which is fineOly: But I can't stop myself from wondering, my mind keeps circling back to thisMia: Olivia that'sMia: OkayMia: Let's say that hypothetically Ash is a hybrid, what would he be?Oly: I'm not sureOly: A predator one I guess?Mia: Hypothetical
Olivia: Are you being an a*shole or genuinely asking?Ash: The latterOlivia: Because I like the idea of us having matching pics and contact nameAsh: Why is that?Olivia: Because It's hmmOlivia: It's comforting?Olivia: And it's a little intimate and just usOlivia: Which I like a lotAsh: [Picture attached]Ash: Like that?Olivia: ...Olivia: I'm okay it's making me feel weird to actually see itAsh: Do you like it?Olivia: I doAsh: How do you feel seeing it?Olivia: HappyOlivia: Very happyOlivia: And then it is ticking inside my chestOlivia: [Picture attached]Olivia: How do you feel?Ash: The same as you, I like it a lotOlivia: Me too but we can barely see the heart because of the dark mode :(Olivia: AnywayOlivia: I suppose you have work to doAsh: I'll be busy until later tonightAsh: You've nothing planned today?Olivia: Nothing at allAsh: MC will also be freeOlivia: What about her?Ash: It's time to talk about the tournament and it'll happen tonightAsh: Everyone wil
“I could live in this car.” Olivia sighs into the leather seat.“I don’t think Mini would appreciate that,” Asher says from where he’s bent over, his arms propped on the edge of the rolled-down window.“Good point. She’s tiny but needs a lot of space, a bit like Steve.” Olivia snickers at her own joke, two duffle bags brimming with Asher’s clothes thrown over the seat next to where she’s installed at the back of the car.“I’ll tell him you say that.”“Go ahead, I’ve been meaning to fight him after Airhead.”“Brat.”Olivia peers up at Asher, catching the fond smile on the boss’ lips. “Thank you for the date.”“You’re welcome, and thank you too,” Asher says, his face close to Olivia. “You enjoyed yourself?”“Mhm, the most,” Olivia grins as she fastens her belt when the driver enters the vehicle“Me too,” Asher whispers, and with his index, he brushes a strand of hair away from Olivia’s forehead. “I won’t be able to text you much today, but I’ll do what I can to try.”“It’s fine, don’t w
When Olivia wakes up a few hours later, it’s to an empty bed, Asher’s side on the mattress tidied up, the phone and iPad on the nightstand gone.It doesn’t take long for Olivia to figure out where the mob boss went when, and after relieving herself in the restroom, she climbs down the stairs to make her way to the dining room.Asher is seated at the end of the table installed in the corner of the bay windows and Olivia trudges up to the mob boss.Hands shoved in her pants pockets, Olivia knocks her foot on the leg of the chair Adam is occupying, the one directly on Asher’s left.“Move,” Olivia orders when Adam does not budge.Adam swivels around. “Say that again, GaintDog?”“That’s my seat. Move.”“How about you f*ck off before I shoot you in the knee?” Adam snaps when Olivia kicks the chair again. “It’s no one’s seat, however right now it’s mine because my a*s is on it.”“Adam, come on,” Walter intervenes from where he’s lounged further down the table, Mia by his sides. “They’re in t