Page 43 of Lau Ahi
There’s always the accidental bite of an adder if he can’t understand how this will go.
Satisfied with the game plan I answered his question with a grin. “I can’t tell you too much but I hope it will help…”
“Good morning, Agent Ortega-Castillo.”
“That’s too much of a mouthful to say at once. Just call me Alec.”
I hesitated because I hated when people didn’t force others to respect their cultural names, Alec didn’t seem the type to roll over so easily, especially if he were going to be paired with someone like Ori so I was going to assume that he was giving me leave to use his first name as curtesy.
Look at you giving a man the benefit of the doubt.
I’d just gotten here and was failing already.
“Thank you.”
He smiled and the fluidity of it showed it was something he did often. He seemed too young to be in this type of position but then again I wasn’t sure how old he was. I was sure the charm he exuded added to the boyishness of his nature despite him also projecting an air of competence and control. When Alec stepped back and motioned his hand forward I gave him a nod and moved in the direction he was pointing. He fell into step slightly in front of me and I welcomed his presence. Having an escort into the lion’s den made me feel more comfortable than I would’ve been otherwise.
The drive to their office had been short from my place in Arlington but the inspection to get on the property had been extensive. I was almost positive that the full body scanner had been so in-depth it could detect the fact that I had a fucking IUD. Not to mention the fact that they acted as though my brown skin made me an immediate target. Answering questions hadn’t been as bad since I’d erased my accent. Getting taken in for further inspection for being foreignandBlack would’ve made this experience intolerable. With how I was feeling, I would’ve simply turned around and hopped a flight to my flat in Grosvenor Square. Despite not having set foot in London in over a decade, I still maintained a home in Mayfair. With the way things were looking in the US, I might be making a trip back there sooner than later.
You’ll probably have to ask your husband for permission to do that.
I damn near tripped over my feet thinking about that and Alec slowed as though his pace had been the reason for my clumsiness.
“You seem in a better mood this morning.”
When I glanced up Alec was smiling at me and I was sure it was to ease me into whatever was about to happen. I wasn’t stupid and knew that many of the people here would think I was incompetent or question why I had been brought in. Hell, I was questioning it and I knew I was probably more intelligent than those I’d be meeting. Agencies like this didn’t value intelligence; they valued sycophants and rule followers. I was already bracing myself for the frat-boy attitudes I was going to encounter.
“Not at all. I’ve put the manners my father spent a fortune on me perfecting at etiquette lessons to use. No need to rock the boat this early since I’m sure it will happen sooner rather than later.”
“You two really are compatible.”
I nearly tripped again on my So Kates and Alec’s hand shot out to steady me. I glared at him, as his words were the reason I’d stumbled.
My mind raced wondering if this asshole had bragged about the situation we were now in. It would’ve confirmed that he’d agreed to marry me for his own reasons but what would telling his colleagues about it gain him?
“Excuse me?”
“You and Ori. Y’all will work well together because you both have similar attitudes on how to deal with authority.” Alec’s milk chocolate brown eyes were flecked with gold and filled with curiosity. As he studied my face I wondered what he knew about that night atExplicit. I didn’t see any judgement in his eyes so I could only assume he was none the wiser.
“I wouldn’t say that. Judging from his attitude the other day I wouldn’t say I agreed with your assessment.”
“He’s one of the most effective people here so he’s more than earned the right to be an asshole. You get used to it.”
“Not if I have any say about it.”
I thought I’d muttered my sentiments but Alec’s chuckle let me know he’d heard me. I didn’t feel bad about it at all even if that was his friend.
“He’s not all bad. Trust me, we’ve seen the worst of humanity in this building and with our jobs. I wouldn’t deal with him if he weren’t a good person.”
“There’s one flaw with your comment.”
He was smiling but curiosity infused his features. “And what’s that?”
“Your argument is based on the assumption that I believeyou’rea good person. Or at the barest minimums, a moral one. I don’t think anyone who joins an organization like this is inherently good. The ones who are normally leave because their ideals are being eroded from what they see or how they’re forced to work. There’s a reason you’re still here.”
His eyes danced at my comments not at all insulted as he should’ve been. “You’re right. But it’s not at all what you think.”
“I’m sure that I’m not privy to that information so I won’t ask. It’s not my business.”
