Page 14 of Inflame

“What? No way. Congrats, man.”

So much for trying to convince him to move north to join forces with me. Asher is already planting roots in the heart of Silicon Valley—the tech capital of the United States. His once fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants attitude will drastically change with the introduction of a child. I don’t envy him at all. After being a servant to the FBI, I much prefer being the master of my own domain.

Asher and I have been friends since college on the East Coast. We met during an entry level computer class and bonded over how elementary the topics were. It became a hobby of ours to hack into the various networks and alter discussion topics that would get broadcasted on the projector screen. Nothing like bonding over a similar interest in devious acts.

Asher knew the East Coast lacked the types of jobs he was interested in and decided to move west. I would have stayed on the Atlantic Coast and made sacrifices for Tara if it wasn’t for her trying to sucker me into her web of lies.

“I’m due for a trip north to check up on you in person. You know how I have trust issues.”

“Don’t we all,” I mutter, more to myself than to Asher.

“Make sure you aren’t getting soft with your skills or your workout schedule,” he teases.

“Nothing soft about me,” I defend. “I’ve been keeping up with my routines. As for my skill set, I’m pretty sure I can still out hack you on the daily.”

“Ha, you wish, man,” he chuckles. “But on a serious note, if you grow bored with Portland, come down to the valley, and I’ll set you up with a job.”

“Thanks. But I’m happy here.” My family is here and even though I am not planting new roots, I’m enjoying the consistency of the old ones. “I do need a favor though.”

“You always do…”

“I need a list of contacts.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m looking to hire a couple of local men but need them screened before I offer employment. Ones who aren’t against breaking a little of the law and are loyal and trustworthy.”

I can hear Asher’s throat clear. “You in some sort of trouble? In need of a few bodyguards?”

“Nah. I can handle my own drama. This is just as a precaution.”

“You sure you are set on never dating again? Seems to me, your eye is caught on someone. Perhaps she is enticing you to stay in Oregon?”

I shake my head and lean farther back in my office chair. I’m at home and enjoying the solitude of having no one to answer to but myself. “It’s all in connection to Graham and his upcoming nuptials. Anyone attached to his fiancée is high risk for future blackmail or extortion. Just crossing t’s and dotting i’s.”

“I can hook you up. I can give you a few names to check out, but one person I can personally vouch for.”

I knew Asher would be able to help. It really pays to have the connections I do and still maintain clean hands when it comes to the law. Even though I’ve made a name for myself with the FBI, I can still get wrapped up in the legal tape and do prison time until I await trial. It is best that I stay in my lane as best I can and let others risk their freedom. It also pays to have money.

“Feel free to drop off your list in person,” I razz. It has been a year or more since he has been able to come visit. I expect his life with a child to be even busier.

“I’ll let you know when flights are at discounted rates. You know how cheap I am,” Asher jokes. He is completely the opposite and is a splurger by nature. He fits in perfectly in the valley.

“Come visit, and I may let you drive my new Porsche 911 Turbo S. It still has the new car smell.”

“As long as it doesn’t smell of cheap pussy, I’m game.”

I laugh into my phone. “Chat later,” I say, hitting the end button.

I drown myself in business for the next three hours. I live in a high-rise condo toward the southwestern side of the city. It is within walking distance of the Entice offices and close enough to the Willamette River for when I want to go for a scenic run. The building is on the newer end and my specific unit has been renovated to add my own security features. While I do not take up the entire floor, I have two levels and access to the private pool on the rooftop that can be reserved via a floating schedule. It serves its purpose for the amenities I need at this point in my life.

When my eyes start to blur from staring at the screen, I log off my desktop and head to my workout room to burn off some of my pent-up energy. I lace up my gloves and voice command my sound system to play my heavy metal track. Stretching my neck and bouncing on the balls of my feet, I warm up to the music. When I feel the warmth circulate through my veins, I start my rhythmic punching at the bag. It feels good to take out my aggression on something. The last thing I need is to be seated next to Claire on a two-hour flight tomorrow with this much tension coiled throughout my body.

She smells like a fucking cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting. How can someone so fiercely sexual smell like a damn sugary confection? I pound harder into the bag and pray that I can keep my cool without completely losing my mind. I can already tell Claire is getting under my skin. No one has ever had me so tied up in knots without even trying.

I can only imagine what her outfits for Vegas will do to me when her freaking oversized shirt with her peekaboo shoulders nearly caused me to combust during the yoga class. No man my age should get turned on by a female’s shoulders. Yet, here I am, thinking about Claire’s sexy ones. What is wrong with me?

From how I left things with her at the cafe and then last night at the river, I know she is going to pack her sassy attitude with her when we meet up at the airport. I just hope my dick can stay settled. I don’t need a force like Claire in my life. She’s trouble, and I’d be wise to keep my distance.

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