“Easy! I’m just making a suggestion. He’s just as thirsty for it as you are. Always watching you when you aren’t looking and shit. You two are living together. Surely there’s time for a quick fuck. Wait… is it because it’s not quick? Do you need longer to get it up?”
I nearly growled at the way Pip waved his hand towards Pharrell’s groin. A second later, the tension in my shoulders drained away at the sound of our boss laughing. If he was amused by Pip’s ridiculous suggestions, then I had no reason to feel whatever the fuck emotion had just taken over my body.
Was I jealous?
No. Surely not.
I had no reason to wonder if Pharrell and Pip were romantic in any way. The two would never work out. Besides, it was pretty obvious our boss had eyes only for Ricardo. I couldn’t surmise if the feelings were returned. I needed more data to know for sure.
Several of the men had turned our way at the sound Pharrell released. The boss coughed as Pip let out a laugh that would rival that of the Joker. It added to the psycho persona he kept in front of the others.
Only I got to see a softer side of him. A side that had nightmares and longed to be close to others. Or maybe it was just me he wanted to be close to. I had my thoughts on the matter, but they weren’t for thinking about at this exact moment.
Pharrell waved for the men to get back to work. They all focused on the map on the table again. Well, all except Ricardo. His gaze lingered on the boss for a while longer.
Guess that was another point in themutual affectioncategory for these two.
Eventually, Pharrell decided it was time to go back into his office. He, Pip, and I spoke at length about the plan and any flaws that might arise. There were multiple layers to the setup. If it worked, we’d be able to find out the person, or people, who’d helped Stasia before. We knew she’d been tipping off our enemies about the shipments and taking a cut for her efforts.
With her dead, it should have meant things were fine. Pharrell and Ricardo had both agreed that wasn’t the case. Stasia couldn’t have pulled off her double crosses alone. She would have needed help. And we had to figure out who she’d roped into her schemes.
Pip, as usual, had dropped into a chair across from the boss. The two were enjoying whiskey, a drink that they would sometimes share together.
I didn't partake because I wanted a clear head. Anything that would drop my defenses wasn't good.
After going over the plan once more, a hush settled over the room. We were at a standstill of what came next. It was time for implementation.
“So, Boss. About Ricardo,” Pip said, breaking the silence.
Pharrell cut him off with an abrupt, “No!”
“I’m just saying…”
“Quiet, Pip.” I said the words in a harsh whisper, my eyes locked on the tablet in my hands. His fascination with them was making me mad. He’d clearly given up hisbeing good for meact.
Except, he listened this time. His lips sealed tightly just as the door opened.
From my peripheral, I saw Ricardo step inside. He looked around for a moment, then asked, “Are you ready to go?”
Before Pharrell could answer him, Pip spoke up. “Are we going somewhere?”
I looked up then, wanting to see the exchange firsthand. All three men in the space with me looked as if they were seconds away from breaking into fits of laughter. That or a shouting match. It could go either way in my opinion.
“I'm going to bed,” Ricardo replied.
Pip smirked. “Is that an invitation?”
The sound that echoed around the room next could only be described as a growl. It was animalistic and nearly had me reaching for the gun I so rarely carried.
The moment I realized it was from Pharrell, I sighed. I knew he wouldn't hurt me or Ricardo.
Pip was usually pretty safe, but his smart-ass mouth had clearly overstepped.
I saw the way Pip’s eyes lit up at the sound. He was having a good time taunting these two.
“I’d say you could come too, but you turned me down,” he added on.
From there, a noticeable change came over everyone. Ricardo’s shoulders lost some of their tension and Pharrell smiled brightly. The pair stared at one another with a look that made me feel like I was intruding.
