Draco (Coded for Love 2)

“Yes, a lot like you, in fact.”

He lifted his eyebrows and shot her a glance. “Anything else I need to know about Jamie?”

“He’s serious, keeps his head down. He’s a home boy really, likes living with my dad and his new wife, and doesn’t want to rock the boat.” She stared into space for a minute. “Split up with his girlfriend recently. Apparently she kept mentioning her ring size and he said he wasn’t ready for marriage.”

“What about the other guy, the party boy, Charles?”

“Oh yeah, he loves to party hard, lives for the weekend. Has bit of a cocaine habit.”

“Cocaine?” Draco tensed.

She frowned. “Yeah.”

Draco knew he was scowling, but he couldn’t help himself.

“Just recreational, parties and such.”

Something buried deep inside rose up and rattled him. “Jesus, just a bit recreational coke?”

She sucked in her breath, looking from side to side as if she thought someone might have heard. “Wow, judgemental or what?”

“Don’t tell me you do drugs too?”

“No, but that’s not the point. I find your attitude unnecessarily extreme. It’s none of your business what I or my brothers do in our personal life. That’s not what I invited you to work with me for and I’d be grateful if you’d keep your judgemental opinions to yourself.”

He stared at her for a good half a minute, and then had the dreadful feeling she was going to walk out in him. She was not only offended, she looked nervous about his reaction.

“Sorry.” He sighed and pushed his hands through his hair. “That was uncalled for. You’re right, I’m being judgemental, but it’s not without reason.” He paused, trying to figure out what to say. “Someone close to me got tangled up in drugs. It hurt people around them, a lot.”

Her expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. Was it a girlfriend?”

He shook his head.

Studying him silently, she picked at her food.

Draco sipped his water.

“Look,” she added, in a lower tone, “I don’t understand why he needs to do it, really, but I try not to judge people. Besides, you should be glad he’s a party animal, its unlikely he’ll get to the information before we do.”

Draco huffed a laugh. “Fair point.”

It bothered her immensely, the fact she might be beaten in the secret project. He wanted to reassure her, but he had to tread cautiously. “Have you ever used, recreationally?”

She shook her head. “It’s not my thing, and I have to keep a straight head if I’m going get ahead in my dad’s business.”

He nodded.

She stared at him thoughtfully. “You really disapprove so much?”

He didn’t really want to talk about why, but she looked suspicious, as if she needed more of an answer. “Someone close to me got heavily into drugs for a while, for years. It affects everybody around them, sooner or later.”

Once he’d said it he worried she was going to question him, dig a little bit deeper, and he didn’t want to talk about his mum’s darkest days and what it was like growing up inside that special version of hell.

Thankfully she nodded and returned her attention to her food.

Draco risked another sushi. This was one tasted of tuna, which as a relief. He had no idea what the hell that slimy stuff was in the last one.

“Do you think either of my brothers is looking for the drain?” Lara asked.