Page 65 of Hard Luck (Blackstone House)

She viewed herself as the boss, but really, our relationship was more symbiotic—we cleaned up her messes, and she cleaned up ours. Because she controlled our budget, she knew a lot about us, although not as much as she liked to think.

And we knew plenty about her.

Full name, address, marital status, favourite shampoo, the fact that she was fucking a landscaper ten years younger than she was. She had no idea how deep we’d dug.

If Demelza ever betrayed us, we’d pay a visit to her cosy little townhouse near the Potomac, and we’d show her the error of her ways. Bastian had taught me one important lesson: never trust a soul.

But I couldn’t toss Demelza out of the window for reading my medical report, although I was tempted to defenestrate Doc Martinsson for including irrelevant information. My leg was healing nicely. Why couldn’t he have left it at that?

“Fuck.”

Priest grinned. “If you want, I could set her straight. Let her know you enjoy being choked during sex.”

“Fuck you.”

“That would be inappropriate, given our professional relationship.”

He was enjoying this, wasn’t he?

“Fuck off.”

“No can do, Jezebel. Not until I’ve notified you of your next assignment.” Now he was trying not to laugh. “You’re going to take a vacation.”

“What?”

“The United States of America has invested a great deal of time and money in you, and you’re not—and I quote—going to throw it all in the trash just because boredom chips away at your self-control.”

“No way. I’m in the middle of a job.” Okay, so it was an unpaid job, but it was still important. “And Iamtaking it easy.”

“Your colleagues are more than capable of handling the Galaxy case, and I understand Ari is working on the investigation side of things.”

“Can’t you tell Demelza to back off?”

“No, because I agree with her. You haven’t taken a vacation since you joined the Choir.”

“But—”

“No buts. I don’t care where you go, but by this time tomorrow, I want you out of Nevada. Go relax on a beach somewhere until your leg finishes healing.”

“I can’t go relax on a beach somewhere. Doc Martinsson said I need another checkup next week.”

“You’ll be delighted to hear that Demelza has spoken with him, and it seems the checkup was more of a precaution to make sure you’re not doing anything inappropriate.” Priest fixed his gaze on me. “Such as investigating threats against a local hotelier, for example. The doc has agreed the checkup can wait as long as you’re taking the R&R seriously.”

“You don’t understand. I need to find the person who has Cole in their sights.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust the rest of the team to finish the job?”

“No, but?—”

“Remember to wear sunscreen, and try not to get alcohol poisoning.”

“Sometimes, you can be a real asshole.”

Priest merely grinned. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“This is crazy. Take a fucking vacation? Demelza and Priest have both lost their minds.”

“It isn’t a terrible idea.”

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