Dad: It’s the best concert around. But today, I didn’t recognize a single song until I hit the yogurt aisle… and that’s only because it was Lena’s!
Dad: I’ve aged out of the music.
Dad: Bury me under a tree.
How is my dad the most melodramatic man in my life? I’m sure there’s some deep-seated reason here that’s responsible for my attraction to Grae, but I’m not about to dive into that right now. No time for an existential crisis.
Me: Do you want me to buy the grocery store and force them to play only your favorites?
Dad: It could be my Christmas present.
Me: If you live long enough to make it to Christmas, your organs are basically dust. Love ya.
I toss my personal phone to the side and open my laptop. Focus on work. Alana has a career and people who depend on her, I can’t get sucked into Kinsley drama. I’m in the middle of purging my email when Markus knocks on my door and pokes his head in.
“You got a minute, Boss?” I’ve known him for years, saved his life in Russia and he’s been a loyal and fabulous employee. Hell, he was riding shotgun when we went to save the kids from being abducted. And I know what he wants to talk about.
“Sure. Come in, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Uri.”
He has on his suit jacket—he’s on Siren’s shift tonight so he’s got to appear professional. After he takes the seat across from me, he glances around the room and asks, “Can you do that sound proofing thing?”
Oh yeah, I’ve been waiting two years for this conversation.
“Absolutely. Cone of silence.” I push the button on my desk, and as the walls white out, I close my laptop and lean back in my chair. “You have my full attention.” But he settles in the chair and stares at me. Okay, I guess I’ll talk first. “Oh, how’s Uri handling his training? Do you think he’ll be ready for field work, or should we keep him in the office?”
“He’s still struggling with the fight or flight instinct.” Markus pushes his glasses up his nose. “He’s been a fighter his whole life, so it’s going to be a hard habit to break.” I figured that would be his biggest issue. But it’s also very common with my guys, especially if they came from law enforcement or the military.
“Will he be field ready?”
“Yes, give him two months. He’s going to tail Ricco for a few days since he doesn’t cover anyone in the music industry, that’s his weak spot.”
“Oh, I know, he’s been a Chaser forever.” Chasers are Amanda Chase super fans, and you never want to cross one of them. “Is that what you wanted to talk about?”
He clears his throat and glances around the room. His focus falls on my Deviant Murder Board. Then he shifts in his seat and drops his gaze to the 3D printed elephant on my desk. Avoiding eye contact? Hmmm. Finally, he says in a nervous tone, “I’ve been reading the office code of conduct, and there are rules about agents having romantic relationships with clients. But there’s nothing in there prohibiting agents from having relationships or...”
“Yes.” I cut him off, “You should start dating Uri. My God, glaciers move faster than you two. I’ll have him switched to a different trainer by the end of the day.”
“What? No. Uri and me? Whhhhhaaaattt? That’s wild, nuts.” He rubs his neck as beads of sweat form on his hairline.
“Uh huh.” I’m getting sick of this ‘will he, won’t he’ shit.
“Well… that doesn’t make anything I’m about to say easier.” He pushed the corner of my name plate on my desk to straighten it. “The manual doesn’t mention rules about administration dating clients either.”
Hmm?
His chest rises and falls a few times, and his voice drops to a whisper, “I know things I’m not supposed to know.”
“I’d hope so, you were a spy for several years.” I lace my fingers together, so I don’t start tapping them or doing any of my tells. But my stomach is bubbling, and I’m not sure I like where this is going. “Continue.”
“Yesterday when you texted me about work, you left the geotag on. And your phone pinged in a cell tower in Iceland.”
“I wanted a cinnamon roll.” Which was true.
“Cool. That’s cool. A little lavish for a pastry, but you do you.” He swallows. “We had a client fill out a travel form this morning, also placing him in Iceland at the same time.”
Oh shit. A wave of terror starts at my back and wraps around my chest in the worst anxiety hug ever. I knew this was too soon, but I thought I had more time. I open my mouth, but he puts up his hand. “It’s not against any rules–the rules you wrote.”
“Be very clear about what you’re about to say next, Markus.”
