Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75640 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Good morning, Miss Carmichael,” he immediately greets, frame coming to a complete stop to take on a professional stance prior to meeting my skeptical stare. “Wahl.”
“Yi,” I politely acknowledge in return and lift the love of my life’s computer bag off the ground for her.
“It’s nice to see you both back at the office,” the in-house security guard states as he steps out of the way to follow us.
“We had to come up for air sometime,” Arley good naturedly teases while continuing towards her office. “Pretty sure if we didn’t his neighbors might’ve filed a noise complaint with DPD.”
“Who’s to say they already haven’t?” I taunt back on a wink that gets her cheeks reddening.
“Ohmygod, are the neighbors really complaining?!”
“Do you care if they are?”
“Yes!” she squeaks, crimson in her face deepening. “That’s so embarrassing!”
“Or,” my hands find their way to my black tactical pants pockets, “flatterin’ dependin’ on how you look at it.”
“Slater!”
My laughter can’t be contained, which prompts Yi to join me. “Oh yeah. You two are definitely in the early stages of a relationship.”
Huh.
We really are, aren’t we?
“And with that said,” he verbally begins a transition, “I need to thank you both.”
“For?” my girlfriend asks prior to keying in the code to unlock her door.
“Having my shifts switched.”
She tosses him a confused look. “Huh?”
“I’ve always been on the nightshift and for most of my stretch here, lobby patrol and control, but thanks to a request of transfer from the two of you, I’ve been promoted to daytime floor security.” The announcement surprises only her. “It’s helped my marriage tremendously. I get to actually spend time with my wife. And my kids. And the bump in pay that comes from a little extra work is gonna help us finally start saving for a family vacation.”
Awe immediately floods Arley’s stare, and afterward, she redirects it to me.
Getting him moved wasn’t a big deal.
And honestly, it wasn’t for him.
It was for her.
While it was his fuck up of not walking her to her car that left her open to the attack, he was the one who handled getting her to the hospital. And calling me. And pulling in extra hours to canvas the scene eventually finding the cigarette butt that helped us track down Messina. So that set of actions combined with being able to eliminate him as the inside man is what led me to requesting a shift change for him to be on duty – in house – to protect Arley during this assignment. I need Blu and Reynolds hands on, so someone has to be around to ensure her safety. Thankfully, Seventeen considers her safety top priority and is more than willing to fulfill whatever request I make to keep her secure.
I may hate the man, but when it comes to doing what’s best for keeping Angel Cake protected, we’re typically in agreement.
“Word of free advice about family vacations?” Yi light heartedly proceeds. “Don’t ask your kids where to go. Someone always votes Disney.” Our small chuckles are expelled upon entering her office. “Just wait. You’ll see.” He gives his belt buckle an adjustment. “Assuming you two want kids.”
“We do,” leaves me without hesitation.
Her frame instantly spins so that we’re face to face again. “Do we?!”
“Don’t we?”
“We’ve never discussed that,” she nervously announces, fingers fiddling with the bright red piano keys themed computer bag I surprised her with last week.
“What?” It’s my turn for bewilderment to burst onto my face “What are you talkin’ about, Angel Cake? We’ve talked about wantin’ kids for years.”
“Yeah, but like separately! We haven’t…done that…together,” she gestures her finger in the space between us, “together.”
“You mean where you know I want you to have mine, and I pray like hell you want me to be the father of yours?”
A bashful grin is instantly offered. “I do want that.”
“There.” My smirk transposes to one of victory. “Talk had.”
Arley’s jaw briefly falls to the ground before she gags, sneers, and resumes strutting to her desk.
Not sure what the problem is here.
She wanted to have a needless talk, so we had it.
End of story.
Details like names, numbers, and nursery decorations can come later.
Like after I’ve officially put a ring on her finger, which I will be doing as soon as we can close this assignment.
And that ring is coming.
There’s no going back to the way things were.
Ever.
“Didn’t mean to stir up shit,” Yi cautiously apologizes.
Arley offers him a kind smile at the same time she plops down into her chair. “You’re fine.”
“But you won’t be if anyone comes in or out of this office while I’m gone.” The command collects his attention. “Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” He respectfully nods. “I will be positioned right outside the door.”
“Directly. In. Front. Of. It.” My face hardens. “You copy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“The assignment shouldn’t take more than a few hours and Angel Cake has already assured me she has plenty of work to keep her right where she’s sittin’.”