Page 166 of Madness & Mercy
A sharppingslices through my thoughts.
FRAUD ALERT – SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.
Perfect. Just what I fucking need.
I pull up my accounts. My Primary and Savings accounts are clean. CDs are untouched. Money markets and stocks are solid. That just leaves the credit cards. Platinum, fine. Gold, fine. Silver, fine.
Black…not fucking fine.
There’s a pending charge for twenty thousand dollars.
That little shit.
My phone rings immediately, the fraud department flashing across the screen. I answer, my voice clipped.
“Yeah. No, don’t cancel it. That’s just my partner throwing a tantrum. Run it through.” I hang up before they can argue.
A low laugh slips out of me. Jesus Christ. Twenty grand? Onwhat?Knowing him, it could be something stupid just to piss me off. Or maybe something darker, something I don’t see coming. Either way, the bastard knows exactly how to get under my skin.
My grip tightens on the phone as I open our text thread.
NICO:Get your ass in here. Now.
The reply comes quick.
JULIAN:Why would I? You kicked me out, remember?
I grit my teeth, but the smirk is already tugging at my mouth.
NICO:Don’t be a smart ass. You went over your monthly limit. What the fuck did you buy for twenty grand?
A pause. Then the reply.
JULIAN:None of your business. You’ve got your secrets, I’ve got mine.
Heat coils low in my gut—anger, irritation, and fucking arousal. Goddamn reckless little bastard.
NICO:Get in here, or I’ll come down and drag you by the throat.
He takes a moment before the final ping comes through.
JULIAN:Fine.
I drop the phone onto the desk and rub a hand over my jaw, exhaling through a laugh that’s equal parts pissed and… maybe a little turned on. He really has no idea what kind of line he just crossed. Twenty grand on my card without blinking. Either he’s braver than I thought, or dumber. Probably both.
Part of me wants to tear into him for it. Another part, the darker one, likes the fight. Likes the fact that he keeps pushing, keeps testing my limits.
The office is quiet except for the hum of the laptop. My pulse kicks a little faster, anticipation crawling under my skin.
A sharp knock rattles the door.
Three times. Firm, almost defiant.
I smile to myself, leaning back in the chair.
“Come in.”
The handle turns slowly. Julian steps inside.
