Page 50 of The Reluctant Hero

South gives me a grin that’s nothing short of psychotic. “Very observant.”

“No, it’s obvious,” I tell her in exasperation. “They both sound like they walked out of a meat locker, and I can see the steam from their lips when they talk. They have the same cheekbones, too. And jawline. The shape of the eyes.”

“None of us knew,” Ace says with a grin.

I give him a blank look of disbelief. “How?”

“Why have you not filed for divorce yourself?” Matthias interrupts through gritted teeth. “You claim to want it badly but have nothing to show for it.”

I raise a brow and gesture around at the barren apartment. “Do you know how expensive a lawyer is? Ifhefiles it’s minimum fees on my side. IfIfile, I need two extra kidneys to sell. I don’t want any of his shit, and I’ll sign whatever. It should not be that hard. I don’t understand why he’s dragging his feet. And nowthis? What the hell is he thinking?”

Matthias looks around in speculation and then gets a devious smile I don’t like.

“Your paperwork for quitting hasn’t gone through. How do you feel about a raise?”

“Does it include a magazine subscription, pookie?” I ask sweetly and narrow my eyes. His brother double-takes and frowns at me.

The evil smile drops as Matthias glares, “No. Call around and get prices for a lawyer. I’ll cover the fees, and you’ll receive a regular paycheck on top of that.”

“Why?” I ask warily. “You can’t claim me as a donation for a tax write-off.”

His lip curls up in a snarl. “You will take the files and highlight all of the names from this stack.”

He drops the pages on top of my counter dramatically.

Nooooo.I slump dejectedly. I don’t want anything to do with those pages. I am not a part of a mystery team!

But he’s offering me perfection in trade.

“Are you a demon?” I ask helplessly. “I don’t want to read the tiny writing on whatever paperwork you’re going to have me sign and seeyour immortal soul in tradeon it.”

Ace grins at me and covers it up with a hand.

“There won’t be any violence or talking back,” Matthias raises a brow, and I scoff.

“There will be both as I find necessary. Get some body armor, dickweed.”

He looks enraged as he grits out, “Stop calling me a dickweed.”

I shrug with a sweet smile. “Pookie it is then.”

South looks up at her boyfriend with her psycho grin. “Do you see now?”

He looks horrified as he mutters back, “Uh huh.”

“And I’m going into the office in my pajamas,” I cross my arms haughtily as I make my demands. “All my highlighters are coming from Sarah’s desk one at a time, and I’ll put them back when they’re dry. Becausefuckher, and you won’t ask any questions about it.”

His face has dropped into a vicious snarl but he hasn’t said anything.

“What else, darlin’?” Ace asks in a strangled tone. The other guy is staring at the door as if he wishes he could leave.

“I don’t know,” I scowl at him. “I’m making it up as I go.”

“No.Pajamas,” Matthias grits out. His teeth are grinding in rage. I can see it.

“Your dentist must be rich,” I snark. “And you’re a killjoy on top of it. Casual clothes, then. Ace gets away with it.”

“Fine,” he sounds like the simple compromise is gutting him. Ace gloats quietly behind him.

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