Page 26 of Moros

“Someone paid Torez and his people a lot of money to grab you.” Khadri explained. “That’s as black and white as I can put it. And since you have no family, then it has to be someone you’ve come across, interacted with—been involved with?”

“Involved with?” I demanded.

Khadri closed his eyes and massaged his temple. He groaned as though he was in pain and for those seconds, no one spoke.

It was almost as if Boswell and Pasha knew something about Khadri in this state that I didn’t know, and it felt important.

He stood.

“What’s the matter with you?” Pasha asked. “Are you going to take offense to everything he says?”

“I just don’t think he?—”

Before I could finish, Khadri pulled his hood over his head and turned for the door.

“Moros? Where are you going?” Boswell wanted to know.

He disappeared into a room off the side of the corridor. When he showed up again, he had his helmet. Though Boswell kept asking where he was going, Khadri said nothing. He merely stepped out the door and was gone.

“Now, you listen to me.” Pasha gripped my shoulder and shoved.

I tumbled backward to my vacated chair, and she leaned in.

“If you don’t trust him, this isn’t going to work.” Pasha continued. “And I will not let him get hurt because you can’t seem to just not take offense to whatever he asks. You’re either in or you can take your chances, got that?”

“Pash—ease up.” Boswell took her hand.

Pasha shrugged out of his grasp.

“I won’t get your boyfriend killed, okay?” I snapped.

“Is that what’s got your panties in a twist?” Pasha demanded.

“Pasha!” Boswell’s voice held a little more force. “Come on.”

“Come on nothing, Phi!” She glared at him then returned her eyes to me. “I’m going to need you to tell me what the decision is. You let him work or take your chances.”

Irritated, I surged to my feet.

“I’ll take my chances.”

The moment the words were out my mouth, I knew I’d fucked up.

Pasha merely shrugged and turned for the door.

“Awesome.” She tossed over her shoulder. “Have a lovely life—however long that is.”

“Ryanne calm down.” Boswell told me. “She’s a sweet girl—usually.”

“Sweet girl? Really?”

“You went for Moros.” Boswell pointed out. “What did you think was going to happen?”

“He’s a grown man!”

“He’s also her baby.” Boswell explained. “Moros saved her life when she was a kid. That comes with a life-long tether most don’t understand. And she’s going to protect him—with her life, if needs be, from everything and anyone.”

I hung my head.