“I think you should take a coupla weeks off,” RT said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his thick chest, his biceps bulging from the movement. “Recuperate. Acclimate to the real world once again.”

Z locked his eyes on RT’s face once more. “Nope. Not necessary.” The last thing Z wanted was downtime. He needed something to keep him busy, and his job provided the perfect excuse not to sit around and dwell on all that had happened over the past year. Things were just beginning to stabilize—as best they could, anyhow—and he had no intention of upsetting that precarious balance that had become his life.

“You sure?” RT inquired.

Without hesitating, Z answered with, “Positive. Why? Is that why I’m here?” Z glanced around mainly because looking at RT was making his body hum to life in a way that was definitely inappropriate but couldn’t be helped. “’Cause you coulda done this over the phone, ya know?”

RT shook his head. “I called you in because I wanted to talk about Kevin. I met with him a couple of hours ago.”

Oh, shit. The absolute last person Z wanted to chat with RT about was Kevin. Hell, he’d prefer to talk politics or religion—both subjects he generally considered completely off limits—rather than discuss the fucking douche that RT had hooked up with.

Z had never disliked anyone as much as he disliked Kevin. The guy was a first-rate dickhead who considered himself high and mighty because of the fact he was sleeping with RT. A point Kevin always made sure to relay.

There were a few comments Kevin had made over the years that Z was sure he’d never forget.

Don’t forget who you’re talkin’ to. Remember whose bed I keep warm at night. That makes me practically in charge.

I don’t want to have to tell you that I can call the shots, but I will. If I see you lookin’ at RT like that again, I’ll make sure he cans your ass. After all, I do pull most of the strings with him.

I’m the one he eats his meals with, the one he’s fucking every night. You’d be wise to remember that.

Yep, first-rate prick.

Rather than share his feelings on the subject, Z steeled his expression, waiting to see what RT had to say.

“We have no choice but to terminate his employment,” RT explained. “I spoke at length with Casper and Bryce a little while ago, and they agree. What Kevin did…?” RT shook his head in disbelief. “It’s unforgivable. We’re just damn lucky no one died.”

There was that. The man their client had hired them to find had been lucky as fuck, and it had cost Z the “scratch” on his arm and a near miss with a few bullets. The wealthy businessman who’d been kidnapped by the cartel had been delivered home to his wife and kids, and for that, Z was grateful.

But Z was pretty sure the failure of the mission—at least on Z’s and Trace’s parts—had been Kevin’s intention in the first place—to get Z and Trace killed so he could swoop in and save the day. The guy had always been volatile, but ever since his relationship with RT had become rocky, Kevin had grown more and more unstable. On more than one occasion, he’d accused Z of wanting to fuck RT. It never mattered what Z said to defuse the situation, Kevin had never believed him.

“I hope you’re not expectin’ my input,” Z stated. He did not want to be part of this. It was up to the big dogs as to what they did to Kevin. Whether they fired him or reprimanded him, that was their choice, not Z’s.

“No, I’m not,” RT assured him, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. “I just wanted you to know that I take this seriously. The welfare of my employees is important to me. I can’t sit by and let Kevin get away with this.”

Z couldn’t say he wasn’t happy with that decision. If Kevin had gone so far as to try and get Z and Trace killed because he was jealous, there was no telling what he was capable of.

Shrugging as though it didn’t matter one way or the other, Z got to his feet.

“I’m sorry this went down the way it did,” RT said, standing as well.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Z replied, looking directly into RT’s eyes, wanting the man to realize he meant those words. RT was the type to take everything on himself, even the irresponsible actions of a man like Kevin.

“It’ll get better from here,” RT said, smiling, though it was obviously forced. “I promise.”

Yeah, well, Z wasn’t so sure RT could ensure that, but Z wasn’t going to disagree. After all, Z didn’t hold RT responsible for any of it. He was only human; there was no way he could’ve seen this coming.

“Smooth sailing from here on out,” Z replied with a smile as he moved toward the door.

“Why’re you limping?” RT asked as Z placed his hand on the doorknob, anxious to put some distance between him and RT. When the man showed his softer side, he only enraptured Z more, and that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

“Huh?” He didn’t bother to turn around.

“You’re limping. Is somethin’ wrong with your leg?”

Peering at RT over his shoulder, Z smiled. “Cramp.”

RT’s eyes narrowed, and Z knew his boss didn’t believe him, but he wasn’t going to go into detail. The man had enough to worry about as it was.

“See you on Monday?” RT asked as Z opened the door.

“Monday.” With that, Z left, feeling the heat of RT’s gaze trailing him as he did.

As he hobbled out of the office, he had to wonder whether or not Kevin’s termination would also mean the end of his relationship with RT. It shouldn’t matter to Z, but for some strange reason, it did.

Never Say Never (Sniper 1 Security, #2) is available now!

Acknowledgments

I have to thank my family first, for putting up with my craziness. From my sudden outbursts when I think of something that needs to be added or when I question why one of the characters did what they did, to the strange hours that I keep and the days on end when I’m MIA because I’m under deadline or just engrossed in a story… Y’all are incredibly tolerant of me and for that, I am forever grateful. I love you with all that I am.

My street team – The Naughty & Nice Posse. Ladies, your daily pimping and support fills my heart with so much love. You are a blessing to me, each and every one of you.

My beta readers, Chancy and Denise. Ladies, I’m not sure thanks will ever be enough. However, not only are you the ones who catch the weird things and ask the bigger questions, you’ve both become my friends and you keep me going.

My copyeditor, Amy. Punctuation and grammar… well, that’s not my strong suit. But it is yours and you are truly remarkable at what you do. You simply amaze me and I am so glad that I found you.

Nicole Nation 2.0 for the constant support and love. This group of ladies has kept me going for so long, I’m not sure I’d know what to do without them.

And, of course, YOU, the reader. Your emails, messages, posts, comments, tweets… they mean more to me than you can imagine. I thrive on hearing from you, knowing that my characters and my stories have touched you in some way keeps me going. I’ve been known to shed a tear or two when reading an email because you simply bring so much joy to my life with your support. I thank you for that.

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