Page 149 of Graves

“God!” I throw my palms up in defeat. “Can we stay on topic?”

“We are on topic,” Koh says, raising his eyebrows.

“I didn’t try to kill myself.”

“So the slow way doesn’t count?” he asks.

I tilt my head, confused.

Koh exhales. “You think I don’t see it? Your hands are shaking. You’re sweating cold sweat. You’re in withdrawal.”

I scoff and try to collect myself. Of course he’s right. I need a drink. But that’s not the only reason I’m falling apart. Koh is a tough nut to crack.

“Listen. I… I called you. I sent messages. I even thought about calling the press to find out where you were. You just disappeared! I was terrified something had happened to you.”

“I was only with Luke.” Koh bites his lower lip and blinks at me with those big, pleading eyes.

“I knew that! But… that guy had you wrapped around his finger. I was worried sick. And you ignored me.” I take a deep breath to steady myself. “I didn’t mean to yell at you that night. I wanted you to see what an asshole Luke is. But in the end, I was the asshole who drove you straight back into his arms.”

Koh still hasn’t moved. He looks so damn beautiful, even with red eyes and pale skin.

“Please, Koh. Do me a favor and let someone help you.”

At that moment, the doorbell rings and Koh flinches.

“Who is that? Did you call someone?” He glances around in panic. “Where’s my phone? Are the cops here?”

“Of course not! Calm down. Here’s your phone.”

“You didn’t… No. Please not Levi. Not Levi!”

“I didn’t call your brother. Don’t worry.”

He grabs my arm, trying to stop me from going to the door.

“You’re throwing me out, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“What if it is the police? Aran! You called them, didn’t you?”

I take him by both shoulders and look him straight in the eyes. “I would never do that.”

Koh hesitates, breath caught. When the doorbell rings again, I go to the intercom and open the building door.

“Please, Aran, I’m fine. I can handle this. Let me stay. I could go back to dog-sitting—”

“Koh,” I interrupt his desperate stream of words. “I just want to help you. Do you trust me?”

For a moment, time stops.

Our eyes lock. In the deep darkness of Koh’s gaze, I see the pain and the fear of the unknown. He swallows it down and nods.

“Yes. I do. Even though I know my judgment is clouded. I trust you.”

The doorbell rings at the apartment door. When I open it, Koh hides behind me. I step aside to let Selene Rashkov in. She’s dressed in black trousers, a blue silk blouse, and a black blazer with the sleeves rolled up.

“Aran Graves, I assume. Nice to meet you. I’m Selene.”