Page 117 of Bound By Fire
He moves back behind the desk and waves me to one of the chairs across from him. “Sit. Tell me something good. Lie if you have to. I have had a morning.”
I sit. He drops into his chair and rubs both hands over his face.
“Was that call you just took part of the problem?” I ask.
He nods. “I’m short-staffed on the western patrol. I’m trying to shuffle bodies, and everyone I shuffle creates a hole somewhere else.” He drops his hands. “I wish the Council would hurry up with their talks with Mistveil. It seems like both islands are super edgy right now. Enough about that. How is it at the hospital? Walk in the park, I bet.”
I nod.
“I still don’t understand why Reed sent you to oversee a hospital security upgrade. I understand the importance, but,” he shakes his head, “there are others who could have handled it while you are needed here.”
I knew he’d see through it.
“I’ve asked myself the same question. I asked Reed, as well.”
“And?”
“I don’t have an answer for you.” That part is true.
He pushes back in his chair, studying me.
“Something is up with you,” he says.
My stomach does a slow turn. “I’m fine.”
“I didn’t ask if you were fine. I said something is up. You seem…different.” He shrugs. “I don’t know. Something isn’t adding up.”
“Nothing is up right now.”
“Why don’t I believe you? Oh, yes…” He lifts his brows. “Maybe because I know you too damned well. Don’t lie to me, Ridge. What the fuck is going on?”
My phone buzzes against my thigh again. I pull it out, planning to silence it, and her name flashes up on the screen.
Why is she calling me again?
I have no missed calls from either Smoke or Brutus. I’m sure they’re on her and that she’s fine.
“Do you need to take that call?”
I shake my head. “No.”
Whatever it is, it can wait.
I sit forward, elbows on my knees. I take a breath.
“I’m stepping away from the Keller assignment.”
He blinks once. “Stepping away.”
“Yes.”
“Why? Has something happened? Talk to me, Ridge.”
“It’s for personal reasons that I’ll explain in detail to Reed, since I’m reporting to her on this.”
He frowns. “What kind of personal reasons?”
“Something happened. I…um… I messed up. I?—”
