Shayne: When you pass out from orgasm overload, you’ll thank me.
Shayne: Seriously? Helloooooo? Stop ignoring me.
Shayne: Fine. Be pissed all you want, but I require proof of life or I’ll be forced to interrupt the sexcapades.
In between was one from Duncan. It was short and to the point.
Duncan: I’ve got you covered. Enjoy.
Looking at the time stamp, I saw Shayne’s last message was sent a few minutes ago. Deciding to put her out of her misery, I typed out a response.
Me: I’m alive, traitor.
Three dots appeared on the screen.
Shayne: On a scale of one to ten, how pissed are you?
Me: I’m not. This place is heaven.
Shayne: Of course it is. Do you know how much money your boy is worth? He wasn’t going to take you to a shack in the woods, for fuck’s sake.
Me: Money isn’t everything.
Shayne: Says the princess to the pauper.
Me: Whatever, bitch.
Shayne: You love me, asshole. Don’t deny it.
Me: Most days.
Shayne: Have fun. Hydrate. Drinks next week.
Me: Will do. Stay out of trouble.
Shayne: Never.
Shayne and I met a few years back when our paths crossed during an investigation. Her partner, Matt, had been killed eighteen months prior when a drug bust went terribly wrong. Shayne being Shayne, tried to take down his killer on her own. If Keaton and my team hadn’t intervened, being suspended would’ve been the least of her worries. I read her the riot act for putting herself in danger—which she found hilarious—then before I knew it, we were hanging out almost every week. Misery loves company and all that jazz.
We became fast friends, bonding over our tawdry pasts and our desire to right the wrongs of the world. If we could rip a chapter or two out of the rule book along the way, all the better.
The low hum of a private conversation had me pausing in the middle of the staircase. Making noise would’ve been the polite thing to do; however, my interest piqued when my name was mentioned more than once. Eavesdropping it was.
“I adore her, Finn. Don’t do anything to screw it up.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Finn responded with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Her job’s dangerous. You okay with that?”
That was Joel.
“Psh. Walking across the street is dangerous. Leave my boy alone.”
It was official. I was in love with Noreen too. The relationship between all three of them teetered toward parent and son rather than boss and employee. It was clear how important they all were to each other. This interaction only proved how much.
“I’m just saying, being with someone in law enforcement isn’t easy.”
“If I wanted easy, I’d stay single.”
