Perspective (An Exposure Series Novella): Exposure Series Book Four by Annie Jocoby Page A

once the media got ahold of the story. I even wondered if the entire thing would cause him to have to answer his charges in Russia. Maybe they had left him alone because he was living life on the down-low, but, now that he was going to be “coming out of the closet” so to speak, he might get into trouble with the Russian government.
    Asher suddenly seemed to have an idea. “Why don’t I give the story of my life to you? I was going to give the story to one of my media contacts over at The Times, but I should just give the story to you. It could make your career.”
    I smiled. That was Asher, always thinking of me and how he could help me out. He was right about one thing – giving his story could certainly be my big break. Asher was well-known and popular. When the public found out that he was also shady, at least he was in his past – that was going to be huge.
    “That would be wonderful, Asher, but….”
    He shook his head. “Actually, the more I think about it, the better it sounds. I could control this story if you write it.”
    “Asher, you might be able to control what details come out about your life if I’m the one who writes the story. But once that horse is out of the barn, there will be no putting it back. The other media outlets are going to do their own digging, especially since it will be obvious to all that I’m your wife, and they’re going to go much further. And my editor would kill me if I held back on the details of your life.” I knew that taking this story sounded good in theory, but, in practice, it wouldn’t turn out well. “No, I think that you should probably go with your first instinct. Call your media contact over at The Times and give you story to him.”
    “You’re probably right,” he said. “I wish I knew what was going to happen with this story. You know that it’s going to get twisted and everyone is going to assume that I’m a killer.”
    I bit my lip when he said that. Asher was a killer, or, at least, he was one. There wasn’t any getting around that little detail.
    He seemed to read my mind. “Don’t say anything. I know what you’re thinking. You have to keep thinking one thing – it was me or them. Darwin’s law was very much at work. I was just always desperate to stay on the top of the food chain.”
    I smiled, thinking of Asher as a lion who had to kill or perish himself. That was even a better image than a soldier in a war, as lions, as is the case with all animals, were innocent of malice. They simply worked on instinct. I wanted to think of Asher that way, as well – innocent of malice or evil.
    “Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.”
    The plane descended. Natalia and Asher had given up on playing cards and were now playing chess. They seemed to be evenly matched in this game. Asher realized that the plane was descending, though, and told Natalia that they were going to have to finish their game later. “But I’ll take a picture so that we know what pieces go where.”
    At that, he took a picture with his smart phone and then he climbed on the seat next to me and fastened his seat belt. He held my hand and kissed it. “I love you. I’m so happy that you’re married to me now. I promise to take good care of you as long as you live. Or as long as I live. I guess it depends on who goes first.”
    I kissed him on the lips, and he put his hand on my cheek while he kissed me back. His scent was sweet and his tongue was warm in my mouth. I felt tingly just kissing him, and, if Natalia weren’t sitting in the seat across from us, we would have made love right then and there.
    The plane landed, taxied and then stopped. We all got off, and there was a limousine waiting for us. It took us to Asher’s house, where Natalia would be staying until she found something else. I didn’t mind that, of course – I really liked her. She was pretty and smart and eager to begin a new life. Everything was fresh for her, and I wanted to see the city through her eyes.