Page 25 of My Cruel Salvation

Poor Roger is frozen in place, his hands in the air, his eyes wide. He’s let his hair go full-on silver, and he’s back to sporting a beard. All in all, he looks a bit like a svelte Santa caught in the act.

“My apologies,” Devlin says, holstering his gun. “But do you want to tell me what the fuck you’re doing in Ellie’s living room?”

“It’s okay,” I tell Devlin, who knows perfectly well how close I am to Roger. Not romantically, but as friends. “He takes care of the place when I travel. I told you that. He stocked the kitchen for us.”

“And yet here we are in town, and he just pops in?”

“I appreciate you looking out for Ellie,” Roger says. “But as she’s trying to tell you, I’m hardly a threat to her safety.”

Devlin’s eyes narrow. “But you are a threat, aren’t you?”

I look between the two of them. “What are you talking about?”

“Tell her why you’re here.”

Now I’m really confused, because why on earth would Devlin know anything about Roger and my work? Unless, of course, it involved Devlin.

“Fuck.” The curse is barely a whisper, but both men turn to me. “You came here to fire me, didn’t you?”

Roger grimaces. “Actually, I came to take you back to the office. Franklin wants to speak with you. In person, he says.”

I close my eyes and draw a breath now that I’ve caught the sweet scent of a reprieve. Franklin’s clearly pissed—the man hardly ever comes to the office on the weekend—but I’ll willingly endure a lecture. Even a rant. And with luck, I’ll only have to power through a few months of shit assignments before my world rights itself again.

“She’s one of your best assets,” Devlin snaps. “And you’re going to cut her off like that?”

To his credit, Roger doesn’t cower. He steps toward Devlin, his chin held eye, his eyes never leaving Devlin’s face. “I went to the mat for her,” he says. “Fire? That was Franklin’s plan. I talked him out of it.”

Devlin cocks his head, clearly still on edge.

“Devlin.” I put my hand gently on his arm. “It’s okay.”

“Ellie is like a daughter to me,” Roger continues, his eyes narrowing behind wire-frame glasses. “I’ve watched her grow into an excellent reporter, and I know that even excellent reporters make mistakes.”

“Mistakes?”

I hear the edge in Devlin’s voice and put my hand on his elbow. “It’s okay,” I repeat. “Really. I’ll be back soon, and it’s not like I haven’t known this conversation is long overdue.”

“I’m coming with you.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m—”

“Have you forgotten the last twenty-four hours? Do you not understand that anyone wanting to hurt me is going to do it most effectively through you?”

“I have a car waiting,” Roger hurries to say. “It’s at the building’s service entrance.”

“I’ll be back soon,” I tell Devlin, then rise on my toes to kiss him. “And I’ll be fine,” I whisper. “You can spank me if I’m not.”

“I’ve a mind to do that anyway,” he growls, but I hear the tiniest bit of humor underneath.

“You have work to do, too,” I remind him. “Lots of calls to make, I’m sure. This way, we’re both taking care of business.”

“All right,” he says. “You win.” He shifts his attention from me to Roger. “Even a hair of hers ends up out of place, and I swear I will gut you.”

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, too, Mr. Saint. I wish it had been under other circumstances, because I have to admit, I like you very much.”

We leave on that note. Me biting back a laugh, Devlin fighting a smile I recognize as one of admiration, and Roger looking more than a little shocked by his own boldness.

My good mood fades quickly once we reach the car. For the first time I can remember, silence hangs awkwardly between me and Roger. Whatever lecture I’m about to endure, Franklin is the one who will be giving it. But it’s not just work we’re avoiding, it’s everything.