Page 29 of Rooster

"You got a real hard-on for her, huh?" Whiskey asks, and I swear the guy is stirring the damn pot just to see how long it's going to take to bubble over.

"That's... are we done here?" Twisted asks as he stands.

Bandera looks around the room before dipping his head. Twisted is gone a second later, leaving the conference room door wide open.

"I really thought this job was going to be boring," Whiskey says as he stands and leaves.

"He's going to be trouble," Heathen mutters.

"Which one?" Bandera asks his question, reflecting my own thoughts.

Heathen doesn't answer because we all know there may be problems with both guys.

My eyes follow Bandera toward the door and I notice a hint of movement off to the left of the open door, but I don't have to wonder what it is for too long before Morgan steps into the doorway.

Her eyes immediately seek mine, sending a wave of awareness through my body. I can easily see myself growing addicted to the way she searches a room for me.

My smile widens when hers spreads across her face.

"The guys will be ready to take you back to your house in about half an hour," Bandera tells her before leaving the room.

She stands just inside the threshold as if she's nervous to enter.

"Is it okay if I come in?"

"Of course," I say, giving my computer screens a quick glance to make sure there isn't anything on them that she shouldn't see.

She's a friend of Kaylee’s, and as welcome as she is here, there's certain stuff we're working on that she has no business knowing.

"So you know I'm going back to work tomorrow," she says as she draws closer.

"I do."

"And what's your opinion on it?"

I watch her eyes, knowing I'm not the type of person to change my thoughts based on who is standing in front of me, even if it means they will change their opinion about me.

"I think Bandera is going to be outside your office to make sure you're as safe as he can make you."

"Do you normally avoid questions?" she asks teasingly.

"I'm not avoid—"

"I asked howyoufelt about me going back to work," she clarifies.

I tilt my head and pull in a deep breath.

"I think that you have every right to dictate what happens in your life, and although we can keep you safe here, we're not going to hold you hostage for your own good."

"That's... closer to an opinion," she says. "What else?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. Henry is sneaky, and it's hard to predict what his next play will be."

"I don't think I can live a secluded life forever," she says.

"I understand," I tell her with complete honesty. "Someone will be outside."

"Will you ever be the one waiting for me to get off work?"

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