AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And Eagle? Who fucked up the most?
Sits fucking pretty.
If Lance can’t get me information on what he’s up to, by God, I’ll get it myself. Because I didn’t do time for his fuck-up just to watch him fuck up again.
I love my brother, but I won’t take the heat for him a second time.
He’s on his own.
39
SAVANNAH
Falcon sits across from me in my cubicle, and damn him for looking so delicious. He got a haircut, but his waves still fall over his ears and swoop across his forehead. His stubble is as sexy as ever, and he’s wearing a black button-down. What is it about a man in a black button-down?
It shouldn’t affect me like this. My father and brothers all wear black shirts. You’d think that would have de-sexed it for me, but no.
Most men who aren’t my father or brothers look sexy in black, and Falcon Bellamy is no exception.
I’m tapping on my computer, getting ready to ask how things are going, when—
“How’s Sydney doing?” he asks.
I jerk away from my computer. “She’s good. Such a sweet girl. She’s nearly housetrained. She’s only had one accident since I brought her home.”
“That was only two days ago,” he says.
“I know. But still, it’s all new to her, so…you know…nerves.” I clear my throat. “How’s your pup?”
“Sam’s good.”
I smile. “So that’s what you named him.”
“Yeah. It’s a good dog name.”
“Is he named after anyone?”
He looks to the floor. “Nope. Just like the name.”
I nod and then look back at my monitor. “How is counseling going?”
“I haven’t made an appointment yet.”
“As a condition of your parole—”
“I know, Vannah. You don’t have to give me the canned speech. I’m going to go. I just haven’t had the time.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Fucking you, mostly.”
My cheeks burst into flames as I narrow my eyes at him and whisper, “Not here.”
“I had to go to the DMV,” he says, “and get a new driver’s license. My old one had expired, of course. I had to get a new phone and a new number. I had to go to all the banks where my money is, sign documents to get access again because Hawk was taking care of that for me while I was…gone. I had to—”
I hold up my hand. “I get it, Falcon. You just got out, and there’s a lot to do. But you need to make the conditions of your parole a priority. That means counseling. You’ve been staying away from drugs and alcohol?”
His brow furrows and his jaw tightens. “I don’t do drugs. And I sure as hell never will.”
“That’s good. Alcohol?”
“You’ve been with me when I’ve been out. Have you seen me take a drink other than that first night?”
“No, but—”
“I’m not drinking, Vannah. Though there are sure times when I could use one.”
“Counseling will help,” I say.
“Tell me this,” he says, “why aren’t I allowed to drink? I’ve never had a drinking problem in the past, and the reason for my incarceration had nothing to do with alcohol or any other drug. In fact, I—”
“Standard protocol,” I say. “I’m afraid I don’t make the rules. I just make sure that you follow them.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to watch me day”—his eyes smolder as he looks at me—“and night.”
This is crazy. Michael Barrett can’t return soon enough. Even if I asked Bridget to reassign Falcon, which I won’t, she can’t do it, because he already asked her to.
There’s no one else available.
Maybe I could trade him for someone. Then again, I don’t want to bring that up to Bridget because I’m still brand new at this job and I’ve already taken a personal day for the death of someone who I wasn’t even that close to.
“Have you started working?” I ask.
“Nice pivot,” he says.
“It’s a question I have to ask, Falcon. You need to be employed.”
“I am employed on the ranch.” He leans back in his chair, making it squeak. “No, I haven’t done a lot yet. Have you forgotten I donated bone marrow less than two weeks ago? I’m still recovering from that. But if it makes you happy, I’ll call my father as soon as I leave here and tell him I have to get back to work pronto.”
I inhale, let it out slowly. “I know. I’m sorry you’re still recovering. Though you didn’t seem to have any problem…exercising with me recently.’
For a moment, I think he’s going to smile, but he doesn’t. “Some things are worth the pain, Vannah.”
God, I’m on fire. What he does to me with mere words…
“All right.” I let out a breath. “I need some proof that you’re working on the ranch. Once you start, that is.”
“I don’t exactly punch a timeclock,” he says.
“I know. But could you get your father to sign a statement that says you’re working for him?”
“We all work on the ranch, Vannah. Dad has made it clear that the property belongs to all of us. It’s not like he gives us paychecks.”
