Page 76 of Hellfire

“Avery, officially meet your other new boss, Nico Romeriz.”

~*~

My phone blared in my pocket, cutting my conversation with Fiona short. I held up a finger to indicate for her to give me a moment as I answered Hallie’s call.

“Hey, babe.”

“Hey, I think I’m at the wrong place. Can you confirm the address for me? I’m parked outside of an apartment block.”

“You’re in the right place, Hells. Come to the front door and press button L6.”

“Okaaaaay,” she drew out the word suspiciously. “This better not be a prank, Avery.”

I snickered. “It’s not a prank.”

“I’ll kick your ass if it is.”

The buzzer alert went off by the apartment door, and Hallie’s huff came through the phone as I granted her access.

“Now what?”

“Come on up. I’ll meet you in the corridor.”

“Wait,” she exclaimed, voice now echoing, and I imagined her passing through the tiled lobby. “Level six, right?”

“Yep.”

“Okay. On my way up.”

The call disconnected, and I turned my attention back to Fiona. She offered her hand, and I shook it, returning her smile.

“Congratulations, Avery.”

“Thank you so much. I’m sure Hallie will love it as much as I do.”

“I’m positive she will,” she assured me with her wide real estate agent smile. “Signed, sealed, and…” She dropped the set of keys onto my awaiting palm with a flourish, “...now delivered. Enjoy your new apartment. All documents are in this envelope and be sure to give me a call for your future real estate needs.”

“Indeed I will. Thanks again.”

I opened the door and smiled warmly as she passed, just as Hallie exited the elevator. Hallie’s eyes flicked from Fiona to me and narrowed dangerously.

“Have a great day,” Fiona called as she headed in Hallie’s direction.

My girl looked pissed and glared at the agent instead of returning her cheery greeting.

“Who the fuck was she?” Hallie snapped, still a few feet away.

“She, Hellcat, is a friend and you can thank her in a few minutes,” I said over my shoulder while leading her into our new home.

Hallie scoffed. “I barely stopped myself from hitting her on my way past, and that was only because you were watching.”

I faced her and lifted my brows. “Wait, are you jealous?”

Her lips pouted and chin tucked back. “You really fucking think I’m jealous of her? Because the answer is no.”

“Really?” I drawled, sliding my arms around her waist and pulling her close. “Your sass tells me otherwise.”

Hells wove her arms around my shoulders and swung from side to side. “Does it now?”

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