Page 140 of Dark Love

Nothing is impossible with the right motivation.

“Vex.” Barb pops her head into the office.

“What do you need?” Barb doesn’t seek people out unless she needs something. I slowly turn to face her.

“I’ve been doing the monthly inventory.”

And?

“It’s not in my budget, but I want to order a new machine.”

What is with her and toys? We’re getting to the point where her little stash of emergency supplies could be considered a fully stocked hospital. The only thing we’re missing is an MRI and a heart and lung machine. “Do you need it or want it?”

“Um.” Barb stares down at her shoes.

Why did I even ask? Money isn’t an issue. “Buy it.”

“Thanks. Hey Shock.” She gives him a small smile. “I better go get that done.”

Shock doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even blink.

Earth to Shock.

If I thought Shock might ever build up the nerve to speak to Barb, I would warn him off, but Shock has no game. In all the years he’s worked for me, I’ve never seen him speak to a woman, let alone go out with one. “Shock.”

“Huh?” He looks up from where he was staring at the empty doorway.

“I need that information in two days. This man threatened someone from Willow Street.”

“Fine. I’ll get it done.”

“Quietly.”

“No one ever sees me.” The chair swings around and Shock disappears into a virtual world.

***

“Payne.” I step off of his private elevator and into his foyer.

“We’re in here.”

We… That woman needs to go.

“Vex.” Imogene climbs off Payne’s lap and rushes towards me. “I just wanted to say thank you again for saving me. I didn’t think there was any way I was ever getting out of that pit.” Imogene hugs me. “Thank you so much.”

That wasn’t what I expected.

“Payne said you two need to talk business. I’m going to order some lunch for us. Would you like something?”

Order lunch? “A sandwich would be great. I’m not picky.”

She nods.

“We’ll go into the office.” Payne nods to the room right next to where I’m standing. He closes the glass doors but stays in front of them in clear view of Imogene.

“Why is she still here?”

Payne rakes his fingers through his hair. “I tried. Temperance Vincenti offered to arrange care at some wonderful in-patient clinics. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let her go.”

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