Page 9 of Out of the Shadows

Not. Fucking. Acceptable.

A low growl rumbled through the room. It took a second to realize the growling noise was coming from him. “Who the fuck did this to you, B?” he asked again, his voice like gravel.

Her hands came up as if she were trying to soothe a caged animal. “I’m okay, boss. Really. Everything’s okay.”

“The fuck it is.”

She glanced toward Doc, and Gavin snapped his fingers before crossing his arms over his chest. “Name, B. Now.”

She mimicked his posture and shot him a glare that he was sure would have maimed him had he given much thought to it. He didn’t.

“Did you just snap your freaking fingers at me, you Neanderthal?” Before he could respond, she was up off the couch and in his personal space, jabbing her finger into his chest. “You donotsnap at me like some sort of animal. Ever. I will cut your goddamn hand off, shove it up your ass, and absolutely destroy you. Got it?”

He was nodding before she’d finished speaking. He wasn’t one to snap at people physically or verbally—especiallynot Bean. But dammit, all he could focus on was that bruise on her face. He swore it was darkening as the seconds ticked by. Whoever had done this?—

Another sharp jab of her finger brought his gaze back to her angry blue eyes.

“Are you even freaking listening to me, Frazier?” Each word was punctuated with another stab of her finger. She’d added a second finger to the mix, and he had no doubt she’d be full-on punching him soon.

Exhaling, he gently wrapped his hand around her fist. “I’m sorry, B. And, yes, I’m listening.” His attention flickered to the side of her face. Another bruise was forming near her ear. He ground down on his molars and let out another breath. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. That was... stupid.”

“And rude. And completely uncalled for.” She yanked her hand away and recrossed her arms over her chest.

“Agreed. I’m sorry.” He shot a glance at Doc and lifted his chin in a belated greeting before focusing back on Bean. She looked normal. Like Hudson Security’s very own brunette version of Felicity Smoak in her light-blue blouse, blackskirt, and sky-high heels. Even the hints of exhaustion under her eyes were normal. What wasn’t normal were the damn bruises on the side of her face. “Who hit you?”

Rolling her eyes, she threw her hands up. Rubbing her temples, she marched to her desk and slapped her hand down on the edge. “Here, boss. You gonna beat up my desk for me?”

Eyes narrowing, he glanced at Doc, hoping for some clarification.

“Uh-uh, buster. He’smydoctor. Doc doesn’t get to talk to you aboutmyissues. I fell, hit my face, and called Doc to make sure everything’s okay.”

Gavin caught Doc’s wince at Bean’s last statement. Bean was feisty as hell and could verbally spar with the best, but he also knew she was a shitty liar. “So you’re fine? Nothing’s broken?”

She nodded.

“Just those bruises on your face?”

She remained silent.

“No concussion?”

Again, nothing.

Gavin pursed his lips. So there were more bruises he couldn’t see and the possibility of a concussion. Fucking hell. “Well, if you’re not going to tell me what’s going on, then I’m going to operate under the assumption that you’re concussed?—”

“I never said that!”

“You didn’t have to, B,” he said, shaking his head. “Doc’s here. The fact that you called him means it’s a big deal.” He met Doc’s stare. “Am I wrong?”

Doc held his hands up. “You know I can’t say anything to you either way about my patient.”

Frustration tore through him, and he turned back to Bean. She was hurt. He didn’t know to what extent, butthey’d been friends for a long damn time, and he knew something was wrong. “Bean, please. Let me help you.”

She let out a sigh that said he was the most annoying person in the world. And, yes, he knew her well enough to differentiate between her sighs.

“Fine,” she huffed as she sank into her plush office chair. “Imayhave a slight concussion. Doc says because I lost conciousn?—”

He narrowed his eyes as Bean cut off whatever she was about to say. Then she proceeded to cough the fakest fake cough he’d ever heard.

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