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He shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d care.”
“And if I’d been sneaking off to various rooms within the studio to have sex with one of our colleagues, you’d have been fine with that?”
Kelvin pulled a face. “No. No, I wouldn’t have.” He let out a long breath. “How can I make it up to you? You want Trinity fired? Because I’ll fire her if it’s the only way you’ll feel comfortable coming back to work. She’s replaceable. You’re not.”
“There are plenty of other tattooists.”
“But there’s only one of you, and I don’t want to lose you. You want a raise, I’ll give you a raise. Whatever it takes.”
“I’m not coming back, Kelvin.”
A muscle in his cheek flexed. “I admitted I fucked up, I apologized, I gave you time, I’m—”
“Not the person I thought you were,” she finished. “I don’t think you realize how much respect I lost for you when I saw that, hey, you have absolutely none for me or my feelings. I would never have done what you did. Never. And you know what, I don’t think you were caught up in the damn moment. Not at all. She asked you to fuck her right there, and you did.”
His eyes flickered. Yeah, she was right.
“I’ll bet a part of you even got a kick out of screwing her on your oblivious ex’s chair.”
“Not in a malicious way. I mean, it wasn’t a dig at you personally,” he added, like she therefore shouldn’t be so offended.
“I can just imagine how things would have gone if I hadn’t walked in on you two. I’d have remained oblivious, and you and Trinity would have been exchanging secret little smiles behind my back at work. Hell, you probably would have even made use of my chair again.”
Groaning, he thrust a hand through his hair. “I know I’m an asshole, but don’t make the shop and our clients pay for that.”
“Your clients, Kelvin. I’m out.”
“Come on, Piper, I said I was sorry. It was a fucked up thing to do. Beyond fucked up. I will make it up to you, I swear, just …” He trailed off on hearing a car pull up. “Hey, is that Levi Cutler?”
CHAPTER FOUR
Why yes, yes it was Levi.
Her inner demon smiled, satisfied. It had been sure that he’d return soon. It was pleased that he hadn’t allowed Piper to keep him at bay. Pleased that he wanted the anchor bond enough to insist on having her time and attention.
Watching as Levi slid out of his vehicle, Piper felt a frown pull at her brow. The reaper seemed to have a default serious expression. Not quite a glare, but certainly not a welcoming look. Right now, his face was utterly blank in a way that made her scalp prickle.
He was also holding a pizza box.
Stalking up her path, he pinned Kelvin with a vacant stare. Her ex didn’t move other than to swallow hard.
Levi settled his gaze on her, dismissing the other male the way he would a gnat. If it wasn’t for the fact that there was clearly something very wrong, she might have pointed out that he was supposed to be giving her time or space and then turned the reaper away. Might have. Probably not.
She wondered if his blank look had something to do with Diem’s death. News spread fast around their lair, so Piper had heard about the murder, though she didn’t know any specific details. If Levi had been the reaper to examine the scene, it would explain his mood. Either way, as Knox’s sentinel, he no doubt played some part in investigating the crime, so he’d probably had a super shit day.
Her heart squeezed. Yeah, she wouldn’t be turning him away.
“So you’ve come bearing gifts,” she said, eyeing the very large pizza box. “Or one, anyway.”
He climbed onto her front step and ate up her personal space, making her pulse jump. And now her hormones were doing the conga, and her stomach began doing forward flips like it was aiming for an Olympic medal.
“Figured we could eat while we talked,” he said.
Translation: They weren’t done discussing the anchor matter.
“Are there anchovies on the pizza?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then you may enter.”
Humor flickered in his eyes. “Appreciated.”
She stepped back, opening the door wider, and he shouldered past her … casually walking into her home like he did it every day.
Kelvin blinked at her. “So you and he …?”
“No, we’re not dating,” said Piper. “Now I really have to go.”
“Fine.” Kelvin rolled his shoulders. “Call me when you’re ready to come back to work.” He appeared to truly think she would, despite all she’d said.
Before Piper had the chance to correct his assumption, he turned and headed for his vehicle. Inwardly sighing, she closed the door. Hearing noises coming from the kitchen, she padded into the room, drawing in the smells of melted cheese, hot peppers, and pepperoni. Her stomach rumbled. Her fussy appetite had no issue with pizza, apparently.
