Page 24 of Penalty Shots

"Email, yes. I did."

"I cc'd Landry."

My ears perk up even more.

"I saw. So you'd like for us to get started…?"

"Immediately, Ms. Lopez. I'm already dealing with pressure from the commissioner."

"Again?"

"Again."

"Ok, we'll get on it."

We?

"Ms. Lopez?"

"Yes, Mack?"

"You're the best in the business. Please don't make me regret hiring you."

There's a long pause. It's so quiet I can hear a pin drop. But now my ear is firmly pressed against the door.

"You won't," Rina says.

"Good. How are things going with Ms. Cobbs?"

Another long pause."Great. Couldn't be better."

I almost laugh out loud.

"Well, good. I expect her to be fully up to speed before Thanksgiving."

"She will be."

"That's what I like to hear. Well, Goodnight Lopez. I'm sure you'll need plenty of rest for tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mack."

I hear the sound of heels clicking away down the hall. And I peel my ear away from the door.

I'm still dripping wet and completely naked when the door opens up behind me.

Chapter 7

Rina

"We have got to stop meeting like this," that familiar deep voice resonates through the large space.

"Landry?!"

He covers what he can with his hands, but it's still not enough. The door closes behind me, sealing me into the room with him. His muscles are more pronounced than usual, given his time in the ice bath. His skin is taut as the water drips down his skin.

I've seen this man naked more times than any co-worker would deem appropriate.

"What are you doing in here?" he questions.

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