“More…?” I fold my arms and wait.
“You tell me what’s not an option, and that’s what I want.”
I curse mentally, but dammit, he knows how badly I want him. “Fine. I’ll give you a kitten. Is that enough?”
With a snort, he stands up. I rise to my feet as well. He comes around the table and thrusts out his hand. I grasp it, assuming we’ll shake on the deal, but instead, he pulls me close and leans in.
“Two kittens. And if you ever come into my apartment again, you’ll be the first person to go missing,” he whispers in my ear, before pushing me away. My jaw drops, and honestly, I’m turned the fuck on by it.
“Sounds good. I look forward to working with you. I think we’re going to have fun together.”
“Doubtful, but whatever. You got in, you can see yourself out. I have to pack. Expect me there tomorrow at seven a.m. sharp.”
I slide out of the apartment, joy in my heart at the thought of working with Marshall. Although, I’m not sure he’s going to take me up on my friendship offer. I can’t wait to tell Jude that I convinced Marshall to join by giving him two kittens. I can just imagine the threats. I hope he actually gets his knife out…
I don’t really have an answer for why I said kitten though. Hmm. Nah, that doesn’t matter. The important part is fucking with Jude. I really should discuss the flirting with Hollis first, but well, life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and what’s a little side of danger to go alongside the sexual tension we have going on?
I hope he knows where we can get two kittens before seven a.m. though. The shelters are already closed. Although, hmm…would breaking into one count as a date? I wonder if I could woo Doc with that.
Idon’t bother closing the door to my office. It’s late enough that everyone’s scattered to do their own thing, in their own space. I should be with my Boys, but fucking Javi requested a meeting, and as much as I want to see what the guy’s insides look like on the outside, he is someone I won’t—can’t—deny, simply because of why he’s here.
As if my thoughts have summoned him, he slips into the office and shuts the door. “Thanks for meeting me,” he says and signs. His accent is terrible, and his signs are those of someone who either is barely learning or hasn’t used his skills in a long time. Either way, I do appreciate him trying. Even if parts of me are uncomfortable with the idea of anyone going out of their way to accommodate me.
“What’s so urgent that it couldn’t wait until the morning?”
“I got Marshall Bates, the family counselor.”
“The one who doesn’t have any free space on his books for the next century?”
“Yes, that one.” He nods his head, grinning.
I eye him cautiously. “How did you pull that off?”
“Oh, you know, just broke into his apartment, gave him a reason to hear me out, and offered him a signing bonus—speaking of which, do you know how to get two kittens before seven tomorrow morning?”
I blink, then blink again, wondering if my hearing aids are malfunctioning, but the pretty penny Hollis paid for them means they should last me a very, very long time. And…sadly, Javi is insane enough that what I think I heard and read from his lips is accurate.
“Why do you need two kittens? You already have one!”
“Not for me, for Marshall; that’s his signing bonus. So, I need kittens. And all their stuff. Before he gets here, so he knows that I am a man of my word.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. “Why is this my problem?”
“Because you're a Voice, and in charge of the finances, which means you are the one who needs to give the go ahead on all those pesky acquisitions. None of the shelters are open, and most don't open untilafterMarshall is supposed to be here. I figured breaking in would be the best bet… Maybe I can borrow one of the twins? Unless you want to go with me?”
I stare at him, wondering if Doc can somehow get ahold of his medical records, because there is no way on this fucking Earth that someone like him is walking around without a file folder a few inches thick.
“No, I am not allowing one of them to be alone with you.”
He shrugs. “So you’ll go with me then? I mean, I can go by myself, but I know how you lot feel about doing things with a plan and all that.”
Fuck my life. Just…what the fuck is even happening right now?
Sighing, I look into his multi-colored eyes. “You’re determined to do this, aren’t you?”
He grins. “Yep.”
“Fine. Let me text Hollis, so he knows what we’re up to.”
