Page 51 of The Reluctant Hero

“Fine,” I smirk to rub it in.

“I will get you new highlighters.”

“No way. Petty vengeance is all mine, and you can’t stop me.”

“I am not listening to that banshee screaming in my office again,” he snaps. “I already have one to deal with. I don’t need two.”

“If the raise is big enough, I’ll buy you some noise-canceling headphones. Or not. You’re an expert at ignoring people because you’re a jackass.”

“I am going to strangle you,” his tone has gone dark enough that I almost believe him.

“Gabe,” the guard says in warning.

“You can pencil a dirt nap into the paperwork,” I sigh in exasperation. “I might actually get some real sleep that way. I want a DNR, though.”

“Do not help him,” the guard turns on me with a scowl.

I glare back, but I don’t open my mouth. The guy could snap me in half like a twig with two fingers, and he’s getting cranky. At least I still have some self-preservation left.

“A little revenge might go a long way to soothin’ that temper you got,” Ace says with a raised brow. “Blake won’t know what hit him.”

“Oh God, this stuff really goes back to Loser? I don’t wanna,” I whine. “No mystery team for me. You’re on your own. Have fun.”

“Stop whining,” Matthias snaps. “You will call lawyers tomorrow and be at work on Monday at eight amsharp. Preferably with a gag.”

I flip him off, which he ignores as he straightens his jacket and walks out as if he has dignity left. It must be nice.

“What a dick,” I huff as his guard follows with a censuring look. Ace is next, but his grin is delighted.

“Monday, darlin’. Don’t make me come get you.”

“Don’t make me come get you,” I copy him childishly with a scowl.

“Or I can stay here and help motivate you with callin’ lawyers.”

I’m not sure if he means that in a sexual way or a breaking your fingers until you give in way. I decide to err on the side of caution and say, “No, thanks.”

“Ace!” Matthias barks from further down the hall.

He shrugs as his grin widens and walks out. South and her boyfriend follow as if this is the end of a party.

It feels like they took all of the energy out of the room as they leave. By the time I’m closing the door on them I sag back against the door weakly.

“This is going to be horrible.” My eyes catch on the papers he left on the counter, and I glare at the inanimate objects. “It’s all your fault.”

12

The Burden

Mikael

Amanda disappears from sight as Ace chuckles. Knowing that the mysterious Manny is a teenager that’s just as foul mouthed as she is has settled him nicely. A child that felt comfortable enough with her to barge in. She is familiar with his antics with hardly a lecture, grabbing him a drink as if it’s a ritual. A vague sense of maternal nurturing well hidden behind cursing and threats.

The boy dresses like a petty thug, but he’s protective of her. He’s warning her, likely about us. I don’t want him to poison her against us, but maybe that’s for the best. We still don’t know enough about her to make a decent call on her guilt with what we’re learning here. With all the random coincidences piling up, there’s a lot of doubt right next to it.

I look around the dismal apartment with a frown. It’s obvious that she isn’t wealthy. Ace was right when he said she took nothing with her when she left. There are no welcoming touches here to make it a home. She’s living as minimally as possible to spare expenses. Or so it seems.

This could be a long con. An in to get to Gabe and his money or worse. This wouldn’t be the first time or the last, I bet.

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