ILARIA (book 3)

72. ASAHI

I walk into my boss's office. "Close the door."

I close the door and take a seat.

I was called into the headquarters meaning this is important.

"There has been some accusations made about you, Asahi." He leans back slightly. "And I would like you to tell me truth, and the full truth."

"What accusations?" I ask.

"That you have been having a sexual relationship for a very long time with Ilaria Reign."

I feel my heart thud against my chest.

"Is Buckley and Chief Underson the one to make these accusations?"

"He expressed his concerns, as have many other of your colleagues."

I nod my head. "And their proof?"

He opens a drawer in his desk and pulls out a file the colour of the open investigation ones. He throws it in front of me, rubbing his lips together.

I open it.

Shit.

Someone hired a private investigator and have photographic evidence of this.

I know I practiced this with my dad, but usually with no evidence. "These photos are from nearly a year ago." I look through them, Ilaria and I walking the streets of New York. "And all from the same day."

"It's still evidence though."

"I had a sexual relationship with her for about a week." I say. "Didn't know who she was. It was when we cleared Matteo Reign's record for his cooperation."

"You heard the name Ilaria Reign and didnt piece two and two together?"

"I heard the name Aria Reid." I bite my lip slightly. "Didn't know she was a Reign until I was hooking up with her and saw the crown tattoo. After that, I stopped."

"I hope that is the truth, Asahi."

"It is. The only other time I saw her was when I found out that Buckley was torturing her and took her to the hospital." I lean back.

"You're a good kid, good at what you do. If this investigation finds out that you've been lying to us, or you have a relationship with her. The outcome is not going to be nice."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, for now. They'll be a meeting with the deputies and heads to disuss this, but for now, you're suspended."

I frown.

"Suspended?"

"Until further notice, we need your badge until your name is cleared."

I nod my head, taking it off my pants and putting it on his desk. I do the same with my gun. "That all?"

"Yeah. We'll be in contact. You can head back to Chicago."

I get up, walking away. The first thing I do is get in my car, calling dad. "Everything okay?"

"They suspended me due to a pending investigation on my relationship with Ilaria." I say quietly.

He's silent for a while.

"Dad."

"This was bound to happen. I'll see what I can do. Stay close and don't get yourself into any trouble." He hangs up.

I drive to the hotel I'm staying in, going up and changing out of my suit into gym clothes. As I'm taking the elevator down, I text Ilaria that I'll be home in a couple of days, then slide my headphones onto my head and play my music loudly.