Page 82 of Heathen

"It doesn't," I argue.

"You never returned that copy ofThe Secret Gardento the library."

My cheeks heat when Bandera laughs.

"I never borrowed that book from the library," I hiss.

"Yes, you did," Rooster says before taking another sip of coffee. "Eleven times."

Bandera throws his head back, laughing like a wild man.

"What are you laughing at?" Rooster asks, directing his attention to the other man.

I don't know what Rooster found on Bandera, but his question instantly shuts the man up as pink coats his cheeks.

"What did you find out about him?" Twisted asks, hitching a thumb in Bandera's direction.

"We aren't talking about him right now," Rooster says, looking back at me.

Bandera takes a step away as if he's going to slink out of the room before the attention can be turned back on him.

"I say you go to that friend's party tonight and sweep her off her feet," Twisted offers.

"I think getting involved with a woman while working for Cerberus is a very bad idea," Bandera offers, making me want to wrap my hands around his throat.

"Don't talk about his wife like that," Rooster snaps. "It's likely he'll kill you."

Twisted puts some distance between him and Bandera, as if he thinks Rooster's speculation might come to fruition and he doesn't want to get caught in the crossfire.

The ridiculousness of it all makes me smile, but it also makes me want to rage and throw shit.

I've never been the type of guy to sit and talk about my feelings. I've always been a man of action. If there was something that could be done to solve a problem, I was the first to line up and volunteer to get shit done. It's why I feel so out of place in this situation. I never should've let her walk away, but also taking someone's free will doesn't sit well with me either.

"You have to get her back," Twisted offers. "If you don't, you're going to just sit around and mope."

"He'll get over her within a week," Bandera says, but when my eyes land back on him, I see his words as a challenge.

"Is this some good guy and bad guy thing?" I ask, waving a hand between him and the other two.

"Is it working?" Bandera asks, making me realize that they either planned this intervention of advice or they're just really good at reading a situation.

"Maybe?" I mutter, because I knew when I lay in bed all night staring up at the ceiling and missing her like a phantom limb that I'd go after her.

How could I not?

I don't feel complete without her in the bed beside me.

"You have to wear a costume," Twisted offers.

"I'm not wearing a fucking costume."

"It's a costume party," Rooster says. "It's literally in the title."

"You have to make a grand gesture," Bandera adds.

"What the fuck do you know about it?" I snap, still not having forgiven him for his initial opinions on the situation.

"His favorite movie is10 Things I Hate About You," Rooster helpfully supplies.

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