Page 199 of Toxic Kiss

“Are you fucking with me right now?”

My lip turns up. “Well…I was a moment ago, but…”

“Haven, I’m serious,” Cy growls.

I slowly push myself up into a sitting position and shiver. My body aches, and my muscles balk at the idea of moving as I grab the fuzzy throw at the end of the bed and wrap it around my shoulders.

“How our roles have changed,” I finally say. “I’m usually the one demanding that you be serious.”

He doesn’t give an inch. That deep scowl is permanently etched into his features. I run a hand down my face.

“Yes, Cy, I’m being serious. I’m on administrative leave for a month to let the heat die down, and then I’ll be reassigned.”

“This is fucking unbelievable.”

He reaches for his phone and then swears when he realizes it’s still off.

“I’m calling your father. He can’t fucking do this.”

“Cy, it’s done.”

“Nothing other than death and taxes is ever permanent, and even taxes are negotiable. I can’t believe that son of a bitch fired his own daughter.”

I roll my eyes.

“I really don’t think the IRS sees it that way.”

Cy is livid, and it’s quite the change from him throwing me under the bus for all those years. Now, he has my back and is ready to fight for me. It’s adorable and annoying.

“Cy, stop. I mean it. I don’t need you to defend me or my honor like some dashing white knight.”

“Why the hell aren’t you pissed about this?”

“I am…or…I was. I’m not anymore.”

“So you want to be transferred?”

Cy stands, his movements stiff as he glowers at me. I scowl back.

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what the fuck do you mean?”

“Cy, if you don’t stop jumping all over me and twisting my words, then God as my witness, I’m going to beat you with that lamp.” I point at the cause of his demise on the nightstand. “Now sit down for a minute and let me explain.”

He hesitates as if being reasonable will kill him, but eventually he flops down.

“As I was saying, I was pissed at first, but…let’s face it…this wasn’t working.”

“What exactly are you saying?”

“I’m saying that working for the band and the two of us being a couple…doesn’t mix.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do.”

Cy snarls like a dog, and the next thing I know, I’m flat on my back. He’s hovering over me, and my heart is jackhammering in my chest once more.