Page 215 of Anger

Taylor’s face lights up. “Coming from you, that’s a hell of a compliment.”

“Okay,” Tanner interrupts. “Now that we got the geek lovefest out of the way, what are we going to do about the flash drive? You already admitted you couldn’t decrypt it. Why are we even bothering with this useless conversation?”

Kane flashes him a dismissive look.

“I never said I can’t get the information off the flash drive. And I don’t exactly like you yet. Not until I speak to Luca. If anybody has a right to ask about the drive, it’s her. Until then, kindly shut the fuck up.”

My jaw drops.

So does Ezra’s and Sawyer’s.

Shane and Mason both disguise a laugh with a cough.

Jase’s eyes round with shock, his hand moving to hide a grin.

Taylor looks down at his computer, his lips twitching as he fights to control his reaction.

Gabriel turns to pour another drink, his expression hidden from view.

And Tanner stares down Kane like he’s about to go across the table at him.

Hell yeah.

We’re back to this being entertaining.

The conference room door pops open while we’re all gaining control of ourselves, Ivy stepping into the room followed by Luca, Emily, Ava and Brinley.

“Okay. We’re here. What problem have you men gotten yourselves into that only us women can solve?”

Ezra speaks up, finally losing his fight against his laughter.

“Kane just told Tanner to shut the fuck up until he gets the chance to talk to Luca.”

Ivy’s eyes grow wide. “Who is Kane because I think I just fell in love with him.”

Gabriel crosses the room to stand at Ivy’s side.

“While I may agree with you, Love, the problem is I’m not into threesomes. It’s too many dicks in one space, and I’ve never been a fan of sword fighting.”

Laughter shakes her shoulders. “I’ll settle for a high five. But seriously,” her eyes land on Kane. “You must be the man in question. Can we keep you around? Because I think everyone here has wanted to tell Tanner to shut the fuck up at least two or three times in their lives.”

“Try two or three times a week,” Jase says under his breath.

Sawyer blows out another large cloud of smoke. “I think it’s two or three times a day.”

“Will you all shut the fuck up?” Tanner snaps.

Luca walks over to Tanner and leans over to kiss him on the cheek.

“Let it go, Babe. I tell you to shut up all the time, and you don’t complain about it.”

“That’s a lie. I complain all the time.”

“That’s because you want me to listen and obey without question. It’s never going to happen.”

“Which is a damn shame,” Tanner answers, a smile on his face now that Luca is in the room.

Kane scratches his nose and manages to keep his expression blank despite the insanity of the group.

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