Reese

I sit in Hank’s seat as he looks out the window and watches two youths good-naturedly pushing and shoving each other. I know the second it turns nasty, Hank will be out there ripping them apart by their ears before cracking their heads together.

Blink sits in one of the chairs opposite the desk, tossing an apple in the air, catching it, taking a bite, and tossing it again.

I look up when the door swings open, and Vega walks in.

“I’ve got a couple of the guys watching things. They know not to disturb us unless it’s something important. Law still hasn’t shown up, though. Do you want to start without him?”

“He just pulled up,” Hank informs us, turning away from the window. “I’ll go grab him.”

When he leaves, Vega drops into the seat beside Blink. Both sets of eyes focus on me, making me feel like a deer in the headlights. It makes my trigger finger twitchy.

Feeling like prey makes me defensive.

“So, either of you want to tell me what’s going on before Hank comes back?”

They look at each other before looking back at me.

“Nothing is going on. Nothing important anyway,” Vega says in his deep voice.

I stand up, walk around the desk, and lean over him.

“I’ll say this once, and this will be your only free pass, so pay attention. Don’t ever fucking lie to me again. If you can’t tell me something, then say it. But don’t lie.” I stand back, but he grabs me and pulls me onto his lap.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have done that. I just wanted to spend more time with you. I didn’t want you to think that’s all I’m interested in. I wouldn’t play you like that,” he tells me honestly, cupping my jaw so I can’t look away.

“And now I only have the word of a liar to convince me.”

He curses and drops his hand.

“Point taken. It wasn’t done maliciously, I promise. I just wasn’t sure what was going on with all of us, if you were staying or going or—”

I press my fingers to his lips. “Like I said, you get this one pass. I won’t hold it against you or throw it in your face, but don’t do it again.”

“Deal. And we’ll talk. I promise. Let’s just get your thing out of the way first.”

“Fine.” I jump off his lap and walk back around to my seat, looking Blink dead in the eye.

“You got awfully quiet all of a sudden.”

He doesn’t speak, just stares at me.

“If you think your dick buys you immunity from my temper, you are gonna be sorely disappointed.”

“I didn’t lie to you. I just haven’t had the chance to talk to you yet,” he answers, his voice toneless.

“And that’s why I wasn’t going to say anything until you started glaring at me. Now I can only guess that you have a problem with me and Vega.”

“There’s a you and Vega?” Blink curses as Vega asks, “There’s a me and you?”

I roll my eyes and look up at the ceiling, praying for patience.

“You fucked me,” Blink states.

“Yeah, I know. I was there.” I lift my hand and show it to him.

“You see a ring on my finger? No. You have a conversation with me about dating before you shoved your big old cock into me? No. All you cared about was getting me before he did. Don’t think I didn’t figure that shit out already.”

Blink opens his mouth to deny it, but he must remember my conversation with Vega about lying because he snaps it shut again.