Page 68 of Atone in Darkness
Then he scanned the others gathered in the lobby. “I could point out other couples who didn’t belong together, at least by conventional thinking. A Handler and a Paladin. Kaliths with Paladins. A hacker with a cybercop. This is no different. I don’t knowhow this is going to turn out, but I can’t not try.”
He turned back to Devlin. “No matter what, she gets a job with the organization. If not here, somewhere else.”
The big man was slow to answer. When he did, there was more than a hint of temper in his voice. “Just a reminder, I don’t take orders from you, Chase. Having said that, my wife has already made the case for us hiring her as anotherHandler. Laurel has been wanting to recruit another doctor interested in researching what makes us tick, and your lady has all the right credentials. Not to mention, she’s seen all the shit this life can throw at her and didn’t blink. That says a lot about her character as far as I’m concerned. If she wants the job, it’s hers. Let me know if I need to put in for a transfer for you to our area.”
Okay, at least one thing was finally going right. “Thanks, Devlin. I will.”
When he started forward this time, his friends stepped aside to clear the way to the door. Several patted him on the shoulder as he walked by with Tyson and Eli right on his heels. Jarvis was the only one who blocked his way.
“I’ve been a jerk.”
Chase grinned at him. “That’s nothing new.”
“Smart-ass.” His brother-in-lawpunched him lightly on the arm. “If she means half as much to you as Gwen does to me, tell her... well, tell her welcome to the family.”
Words and emotions clogged up his throat, making it impossible to talk. He settled for giving Jarvis an awkward man hug and headed out to find his woman.
