Page 39 of Morally Corrupt

BIANCA

I'm going about my day as usual when my phone goes off, and Private Number appears on the screen. I look around the office, making sure no one is around, and I answer it. Something tells me that whoever is on the other line won't bring any good news.

"Artemis," I answer, using my mercenary code name.

"Little goddess." A chuckle at the end of the line alerts me to the caller's exact identity.

"Berserker," I reply sarcastically, knowing fully well he detests being called by that name.

"Alas, I bring about dire news." He sighs in that dramatic style of his.

"Spill, I can't talk for long."

"Oh, is that wimpy husband of yours around? You wound me."

"Don't force my hand. What is it?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk about. Your husband. You'll want to know."

"What is it?"

"Meet me tomorrow at 5. The bar."

"But—" I'm about to answer, but he hangs up on me. Fucker. Ugh… Nothing's going well. What could he have to tell me about my husband? Maybe it's something regarding the incident at the port. Whatever it is, it makes me too anxious.

I go through the motions at work, looking forward to arriving at home and seeing Theo.

We haven't said anything more about what happened last night, and I sincerely hope whatever happened to him isn't related to me or my activities.

Just thinking about the look he'd given me… Chills spread down my body. I could take a bullet, and it wouldn't kill me. But my husband's contempt? That would be the end of me.

When I finally arrive home, the most delicious smell in the world greets me.

"Theo?"

"In the kitchen," he yells. I round the corner to the kitchen to see him in a black shirt and gray sweatpants with an apron on top. He has mittens on his hands, and he's removing a tray from the oven.

"My, my," I start, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly. "What have we here?"

"My apology?" He grins at me and puts the tray on the table.

"And he cooks." I whistle suggestively. "Where can I find a man like that?"

"You have it." He gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"Aren't I lucky?"

"I'm all yours, darling. I come with lasagna too." He smiles and gestures to the food.

"Consider me impressed." I return his kiss and tell him I'll quickly change and join him for dinner.

When I'm back, he's already lit two candles and opened a red wine bottle, pouring it in two glasses.

"Alcohol again?" I raise an eyebrow jokingly, and he smiles sheepishly."I have to say your apology gets a nine out of ten," I tease after I try a bite of the lasagna.

"Why'd you take one point off?" He frowns at me.

"You didn't get me flowers."

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