Page 25 of Volatile Obsessions

Roscoe eyed me cautiously, beads of sweat accumulating at his temples. His mouth popped open several times as he tried to work out a plausible explanation, but words seemed to elude him. You’d never think a man of his size was capable of such intimidation.

And I was going easy on him.

“I passed out, Lux,” he finally answered. “I’m sorry—it wasn’t intentional. The wife has been on my ass lately and I’m just… I’m exhausted.”

“You’re exhausted?” I puffed out incredulously.

Roscoe nodded, scrubbing a hand down the back of his buzzed head.

“Did it occur to you that sharing that information with me might’ve been beneficial to both you and I? Not only would it have ensured the security of my business, it would have given you the time you needed to rest. You know I’m pretty lenient when it comes to time off.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to waste time off because I’m tired. Yessika would kill me.”

“Yeah? And now I’m about to kill you. You fucked up, Roscoe—you fucked up royally. I’m going to lose so much money, and possibly customers on both ends because you fell asleep. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t put your ass out on the street and bill you for my upcoming expenses?”

“It won’t happen again, Lux, I swear,” he blurted out, legs bouncing restlessly.

The sweat at his temples was a full sheen now. Nervous wasn’t enough of a word to properly describe the state of this man.

“That’s right,” I leaned toward him, feeding off his vulnerability, “because there won’t be a next time. Understood?”

He nodded briskly. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Wonderful. Now both of you, go find…something.” I shooed them away. “And that still includes Hector’s circle.”

“What if we can’t?” That was Vic as he rose to full height, straightening his ivy green suit jacket.

I stared at him for several moments, wondering how fucking stupid he could be. Apparently, more than I thought possible.

“You better,” was all I offered, stalking back around desk. “Or we’re going to have problems. Serious problems.”

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