Page 143 of Red Marked

“That’s the fifth time you’ve apologized.” The corners of his eyes crease. He’s enjoying himself. “So how did the interviews go?”

I look at Star, my mind going straight to our “interview.” I immediately picture her mouth around my cock, which starts to stir.

Shit!

Poker face.

“They went well.” I put the teaspoon down. “Star is more than qualified, but I’ve got a candidate lined up to take her place once she comes back to Mistveil City. It was very fruitful.”

“Fruitful,” Magma says, nodding. “That’s good.”

“It is,” Star says, and reaches for the water jug. “I’m so glad that Flint is helping me. I’m not sure what I would have done otherwise. You, too. I really appreciate it.” She pours a glass.

“No problem.”

I shift in my seat. My cock is pressing against my zipper. You would think he’d be sated by now.

We’ve fucked several times since the blowjob. We made a dent in those condoms. The last time was in the shower this morning. That was it. I handed in those key cards, and she’s on my payroll now. It’s done. We’re done.

It needs to be over. And it is.

“Any news on Red Gate?” I ask.

“Nope.” Magma shakes his head. “Hopefully soon. Reed’s guy is still on it. There is still a ton to unravel.”

Shit!

He pulls a thick brown envelope out of his jacket and slides it across to Star. “Your new name is Pearl.”

“Pearl.” She tries it out, turning the envelope over. “Okay.” She nods a few times.

“You’re thirty-five. I know, it’s probably a few years older than your actual age.”

“Not far off,” she says.

“You spent seven years with a private security outfit on the harbor, doing cargo escorts and night patrols. For the last two, you ran your own shift.” He taps the envelope. “You saw the piece on the news about the center and applied. Your ID card, work history, certificates, and references are all in the file. Study it. By the time you walk through the border checkpoint, you need to be Pearl. When you talk to anyone at the rehab facility, you need to be in character.”

The coffee arrives. Star’s has a mound of whipped cream on it the size of my fist.

“Thank you,” she tells Magma once the waitress has gone. “I know what you’re risking. I won’t forget it.”

“Just don’t get caught. If you do, it can never come back to me.”

“Understood,” she says as she tears the envelope open and pulls out a stack of pages with a laminated card clipped to the top. She starts reading. The cream on her cappuccino starts to sink, and she doesn’t touch it.

Magma drains his mug. “I need to go. If I hurry, I’ll make it home for lunch.” He stands. “It was nice to meet you, Pearl.”

Star turns a page.

“Pearl,” he says again.

Her head comes up. “Sorry. Yes. It was nice to meet you too, Magma. I’ll get the hang of it quickly…I swear.”

“Faster next time.”

“Understood.” She winces.

I push my chair back. “I’m going to walk Magma out. Will you be okay for a few minutes?”