Chapter 88 New prime suspect

Chapter 88 New prime suspect
Kayla’s POV

The restaurant was warm, filled with low music and quiet laughter, yet I felt cold inside. Ashton sat across from me, relaxed, one arm resting on the table, his attention fully on me. Anyone watching us would think we were fine. Comfortable. Happy, even.

But my mind was not there.

My phone lay beside my cup, screen dark. I had checked it again less than a minute ago, even though I knew nothing would have changed. No missed call. No message. Nothing from Steven.

I wrapped my fingers around my mug, the heat biting into my skin, welcoming the sting because it gave me something else to focus on.

“Ashton,” I said suddenly, then stopped.

He lifted his gaze. “Yes?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger, more in concern. “You’ve been staring at that phone like it owes you money.”

I forced a small smile. “Do I?”

“Yes. And you haven’t touched your food.”

“I’m just not that hungry.”

“That’s a lie,” he said gently. “You always get hungry if anything isn’t running through that mind of yours.”

I looked away, my jaw tightening. He was watching me too closely now, and I hated how exposed that made me feel.

“Is something wrong?” he asked. “You’ve been off all evening.”

“It’s nothing,” I repeated, sharper this time.

Ashton leaned back, studying me. “Kayla.”

I sighed. “I said it’s nothing.”

Silence stretched between us. I hated silence lately. It gave my thoughts too much room.

We finished the meal without much conversation, and when we stepped outside, the evening air hit my face. I inhaled deeply, hoping it would clear my head. It didn’t.

We were halfway down the sidewalk when I saw her.

Vivian.

She was stepping out of a sleek black car, dressed flawlessly as always, her posture confident, her chin lifted like the world bent for her convenience. My chest tightened instantly, anger flaring so fast it surprised even me.

She saw me too.

Her lips curved into a slow smile. “Well, this is unexpected.”

I stopped walking.

Ashton’s hand brushed my arm. “Kayla,” he warned quietly.

I ignored him and stepped forward. “What are you doing here?”

Vivian’s gaze flicked to Ashton, then back to me. “Is that any of your business?”

“You make it my business when you keep inserting yourself into my life,” I snapped.

She laughed softly. “You give yourself too much importance.”

My hands curled into fists. “Funny, coming from someone who steals husbands and ruins lives.”

Her smile faltered for just a second before sharpening. “Careful, Kayla. Accusations like that can come back to bite you.”

“You should know,” I said. “You’ve been biting people your whole life.”

Ashton stepped between us. “That’s enough.”

Vivian tilted her head, eyes glinting. “Relax, Ashton. I was just saying hello.”

Her use of his name made something twist painfully inside me.

He took my arm firmly. “We’re leaving.”

I wanted to argue. I wanted to scream. Instead, I let him guide me away, my heart pounding as Vivian’s amused laughter followed us down the sidewalk.

Ashton didn’t say a word until we were inside his car.

“That was unnecessary,” he said calmly, though his jaw was tight.

“Unnecessary?” I stared at him. “Did you hear the way she spoke to me?”

“I heard both of you,” he replied. “And you lost control. You shouldn’t have engaged her in the first place.”

That stung. “So now this is my fault?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

The drive was silent after that, tension thick between us. When he pulled into his apartment building instead of my house, I frowned.

“Ashton, this isn’t my place.”

“I know.”

“Then why are we here?”

He met my eyes. “Because I don’t think you should be alone tonight. I want you to be by my side.”

I followed him inside, my emotions tangled and heavy. His apartment was quiet, familiar, yet tonight it felt strange, like I didn’t quite belong.

Once inside, he turned to face me. “You need to get a hold of your emotions, Kayla.”

Something inside me snapped. “Excuse me?”

“You let Vivian get to you too easily,” he continued. “You react instead of thinking.”

“And what would you have me do?” I shot back. “Smile at her?”

“I’m saying you escalate things.”

“You’re blaming me again.”

“I’m asking you to calm down.”

“I am calm,” I lied.

We stared at each other, neither willing to give ground.

“I’m sleeping in the guest room,” I said suddenly.

Ashton blinked. “Kayla.”

“I’m serious.” I said through gritted teeth.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.”

Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked away. Thank goodness I knew my way to his guest room.

Morning came too quickly.

I woke to the sound of footsteps and the smell of coffee. When I stepped into the kitchen, Ashton was already there, leaning against the counter.

“About last night,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to blame you. Vivian was out of line too.”

I nodded, unsure what to say. Plus I didn’t have the strength for more arguments.

He stepped closer, his hand brushing my arm. “Come here.”

I didn’t pull away when he kissed me. The kiss deepened quickly, his hands sliding to my waist, my thoughts scattering. For a moment, everything else faded.

His mouth traced my neck. My body responded even as my mind screamed confusion.

Within seconds, we were both naked with I placed effortlessly on the counter while his cock is deeply buried in my pussy… fucking me so hard that all I could hear was my moans and his groans against my ear.

Later, as I lay catching my breath, he spoke.

“What if you’re wrong about Vivian?”

I turned to him slowly. “What?”

“What if she had nothing to do with Mel’s death?”

My chest tightened. “Why would you say that?”

“I’m just asking.”

“Why now?”

He didn’t answer.

The silence between us felt heavier than before.

Afterward, I dressed quietly and left, my thoughts racing.

At Brooks Atelier, I sat behind my desk, staring at files without seeing them. The door opened, and I looked up in surprise.

The police commissioner stood there.

“Commissioner?”

“Hi Miss Kayla. I had to come over myself because it’s important to let you know that you need to be careful,” he said gravely. “You could be in danger.”

My heart skipped. “What do you mean?”

“The person behind your investigator’s death doesn’t want to be found.”

He placed a file on my desk. “This is Gia. He’s our new prime suspect.”

“And Vivian?” I asked.

“She’s clean, Miss Kayla.”

The words echoed in my head.

Clean? 

Ashton’s voice surfaced in my mind.

What if you’re wrong about Vivian?

A chill ran through me.

Was Ashton aware of something I wasn’t?