Page 48 of Spock’s Snare

“Sure.”

“Yet,” I say with a grin.

We carry the remaining cameras into the apartment building. Most of the interior walls are enclosed with sheetrock, but exposed framing, pipes, and wiring remain. The fading daylight filters through empty window openings, casting long shadows across the concrete floor.

“We should put one near each stairwell,” Rush says. “Maybe another at the rear entrance.”

I nod, but before I can answer, a raised voice echoes through the building.

I stop moving.

The words are distorted by distance, but the tone is unmistakable. It’s full of anger.

Then I hear Chloe’s voice.

My entire body locks.

She sounds pissed, not frightened, but that doesn’t slow my pulse. Another voice cuts over hers. It’s male, aggressive, and familiar. I should recognize it, but I’m already moving before I can place it.

“Spock?” Rush calls after me.

I shove the camera into his hands and follow the sound through the maze of rooms and corridors. Chloe’s voice grows clearer with every step.

“That project requires my attention,” she snaps. “So does this one. That’s why I have a foreman, you.”

The man answers, but I miss the words as I round another corner and come to a stop in an open doorway. Chloe is standing near a pile of broken drywall. She’s facing off against Blackwood with her chin in the air, and her shoulders squared. But it’s the expression on his face that quickens my pace.

Then he takes a slow, menacing step toward her.

Something inside me snaps, and I see red. One second, Chloe stands alone in front of him. The next, I push myself between them, forcing Blackwood to either stop or run straight into me.

He makes the smart move and stops.

“You got a problem, Blackwood?” I ask.

My voice comes out low and controlled, giving no hint of the rage tearing through me. Every muscle in my body strains with the need to put him on the ground. How dare he try to intimidate her?

Blackwood’s eyes narrow. “This is a private conversation between my boss and me.”

“Funny, it didn’t sound like you were having a conversation. It sounded like you were threatening her.”

“I didn’t threaten anyone.”

“You took a threatening step toward me,” Chloe says from behind me. “There’s a difference between being angry and trying to intimidate someone. You crossed that line.”

Blackwood attempts to look around me, but I shift, blocking his view.

His jaw tightens. “Tell your guard dog to back off.”

My hands curl into fists.

Barely controlled anger burns beneath my skin, begging for release. I force myself to remain still. Blackwood wants a confrontation. Whether it’s because he’s an arrogant bastard or because he needs an excuse to walk away from this mess, I don’t know.

I won’t give him one.

Chloe moves to my side. “Spock doesn’t work for me, so I don’t tell him what to do.”

Blackwood scoffs. “Of course not.”