Page 44 of Rekindled Desires

“Fine. But only if he meets you here. I don’t trust him.”

I tried and failed to hide my grin. “Because he shot you?”

James scowled and I burst out laughing. I prodded him, urging him to show me the injury.

“Why, are you going to kiss it better?”

I raised my eyebrows, a smirk spreading across my face. “Depends, where did he shoot you?”

ChapterTwenty-One

I wokeup the next morning alone and scowled. The man seriously needed to learn how to take time for himself. It wasn’t even eight yet. I woke up out of habit, normally I’d be getting ready for work by now, but I couldn’t fall back asleep. The room felt empty without James here. I hoisted myself up, grimacing slightly as I shifted off the bed and onto my feet.

I was about to take a shower when I heard a knock at the door. I rolled my eyes, heading back to answer it. A guy I didn’t know was standing outside. His eyebrows shot up when he saw me at the door instead of James.

“He’s not here. I don’t know where he is.” It was more growly than I wanted, but I haven’t had any coffee yet.

He made a face. “Damn. I was hoping to catch him before he headed out. I’m CJ, by the way.” He thrust his hand at me. I shook it lightly, wishing this guy would go away. I was in no mood to entertain right now.

“CJ, why are you bugging Elizabeth so early?”

Jo came sauntering up and my eyes fell to her hands. She was carrying the one thing that would make me feel better. When I glanced back up at her, she grinned, holding it out to me.

“I think you’re my new best friend.” I breathed in the coffee, groaning as I took a sip.

CJ snorted. “Don’t say that in front of Jaime. He’ll throw a shit fit.”

Jo rolled her eyes but she was smiling. She turned to face CJ again, raising her eyebrow. He frowned, jumping a little when he remembered why he was here.

“Oh! I forgot for a second. There’s a shipment coming in for Volkov that James is taking lead on, he wanted some info about the area. I wanted to catch him before he left. He doesn’t like us sharing specs over the phone.”

Jo waved at the stairs. “He was down in the kitchen with Liam a minute ago. He’s the one who made the coffee.” She gave me a small smile. “He was going to bring it up himself but he got sidetracked so I volunteered.”

I tried not to scoff. Of course he did. CJ gave Jo a mock salute before jogging away. I held the door open, letting Jo sidle past me. She brought me coffee, she can do what she wants.

“I wanted to thank you again. You really changed my perspective. Gabi is great but she’s afraid to step on people’s toes, doesn’t like to push if she doesn’t have to. And Mariana is still in Columbia.” She plopped onto the edge of the bed, giving me a soft smile.

I sat carefully next to her, not wanting to spill the liquid gold she brought me. “I’m glad I could help. I may not want any kids of my own, but a bunch of my friends have had them and they’re always gushing about clothes and tiny shoes so I usually bring that stuff to the baby showers.”

At the mention of tiny shoes, Jo’s eyes got wide and I snickered.

“I need to go see the doctor. I wonder if Sean can get me an appointment today…” she mumbled, mostly to herself. I tilted my head at her.

“You know, I never would’ve thought I’d be talking about baby stuff with the wife of the most dangerous man in the city.”

Jo snorted. “He may look that way, but he’s not. Not with me at least.”

I made a face. “You’re his wife. You don’t count.”

She just laughed, snagging her phone out of her pocket to send off a text. She leaned against me, dropping her head on my shoulder when she put her phone away.

“And you’re sure I won’t end up like my parents?”

“I think the fact that you’re worried about it already makes you better than your parents. Think about it, would your mom be stressing like this if it were her?”

Jo scowled. “No. She didn’t even care when I ended up in the hospital.”

“Your mom sounds like a b–”

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