Page 33 of Brooks

“I was there,” I growled.

“Good to see you’re the same bitch you’ve always been.”

In Zane Lewis’s world, ‘bitch’ was high praise.

“What else do you need?”

“You straight with Brooks?”

My eyes shot to Brooks before they slid to Declan. Yeah, they’d heard. And Declan had reported in. Such a damn slut.

“I’m straight,” I bit out.

Zane didn’t chuckle. He outright roared with laughter. “Right.”

“I heard some things, too, Z. Heard you’re now having heart-to-hearts and found yourself a woman.”

His laughter died and he answered, “Found myself the perfect woman. And the day I start having heart-to-hearts is the day I hand in my balls.”

“So that last question? The purpose?”

“Just doing a head check.”

“My head is fine.”

“Right. And if that changes, you let me know.”

“Copy that, boss.”

“Now you’re in the spirit. This mission goes well, we might be able to work something out.”

“I have a job,” I reminded him.

“You do. But let’s just say, I’m a better option.”

“What do you know?” I tried again.

“More than you, less than I should.”

“That’s not a damn answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re gonna get.”

“Glad to see you’re the same ass you’ve always been.”

Zane was a lot of things, an asshole being one of them. What he wasn’t was a liar. He was a straight shooter, to the point of being rude. He didn’t say anything to spare feelings. He pulled no punches. If he was telling me working for him was a better option than working for The Company, then he found something he didn’t like about the group. That worried me.

“We’ll be in touch. In the meantime, you’re one of us. You take your team’s back. Declan is the team leader. His word is law.”

“Christ, Z, you make it sound like I haven’t been in this business damn near as long as you.”

“No. You’ve been in the spy business. Where there is no loyalty. You people will disavow motherfuckers faster than I can blink. You’re a damn good operator, but your ability to be a part of a team is yet to be seen. Any of those men in that room will take a bullet for you. You let that settle in and think on it. If you can’t return the favor, get your shit, and good luck to you.”

“I got it.”

“Good. Don’t let my men get dead.”

Nothing but dead air. In true Zane fashion, he had the last word.