Page 35 of Lau Ahi
If I weren’t so close to retirement and in an office where I didn’t have a clear escape route because of the time of day, I would’ve pulled out my gun and shot the smug bastard standing in my doorway.
“If you’re going to get in my business at least attempt to keep the shit confidential.” I kept my eyes on the file in front of me not bothering to look at the intruder.
“Inviting me in for the gossip? This must be good.”
I could hear the laughter in his voice increase as he walked deeper into my office. When he plopped his happy ass down in the chair across from me I finally looked up at him.
It only made me want to shoot him more.
“What is it you want, Vega?”
He braced his ankle on one knee leaning back like he had all the time in the world.
“You’re mighty testy about the doctor.”
I sat back too distracted by his words to stay focused on what was in front of me. “Bruh, say what it is you want so we can move past the niceties. We have shit to do.”
His smile widened and I wanted to throw something to stain the light blue shirt he wore. “Part of theshitwe have to do is get her involved with this case. I know you have your meeting withPappy today but I can handle the introductions that need to be made with the team. I know Cochran wouldn’t mind—”
“I will cut off your hands, grind them up, form them into patties, grill them and force-feed you every one if you reach for your phone to call her.”
Unbothered by my threat of violence he smiled wider, my anger the silent confession he’d been seeking. “Threatening death isn’t that unusual for you but such a passionate way to torture me? What’s the story with you and the doctor?”
“Why do you think it’s anything more than my not wanting to deal with her in the first place?”
“Women don’t give you that kind of static, Ori. They’re either fawning all over themselves to fuck you—”
He had balls saying that shit the way he did. “Something you have firsthand experience with yourself—”
“True, but I’m not the topic of conversation. Women are either begging to fuck you or running scared while secretly wanting to fuck you. She stood and faced you down like she’d already conquered you and was irritated that you’d gotten up for another round. So, what’s the deal?”
It was wild how easily he’d pegged my situation withAsha.
Asha.
Her name had played on repeat in my head for hours last night. She burrowed into my brain like a parasite intent on destruction and so far she was achieving her directives. I could barely focus for days after I’d met her but I had pushed her to the back of my mind and focused on work. Now she was going to be integrated with my job and my anger increased at having her near me in an intimate setting consistently.
Maybe Cochran will assign her to someone else.
That shit ain’t about to happen.
I’d done my research and as much as I didn’t want to admit it Dr. Asha Avery was brilliant. Her book had garnered her a lot ofsuccess and I was currently halfway through it after starting last night. Her fixation on wanting to make the study of mad men her life’s work intrigued me and that too pissed me off.
Who hurt her?
“We know each other.”
Vega laughed folding his fingers together on his lap languidly.
“Tell me some shit that isn’t so fucking obvious, Ori.”
I shook my head because he was playing like I wouldn’t fuck him up. “I gotta go back to shootin’ muthafuckas because you really over here talking to me any kinda way.”
He cracked up clearly unaffected by my threat. Which meant I was going to have to toss his ass off the building. “You could try. But your big ass is slower than me and you know it. That .002 seconds counts when your life is on the line.”
“I met her at the club.” He wasn’t going to stop asking questions and giving him a general answer was easier than continuing to avoid him.
Alec’s brows rose in a way that was too intrigued for my liking. “Explicit? She didn’t look the type but then again no one does. The doctor must’ve turned you out.”
