Page 102 of Fly's Path

“You could know that via legal records. Tell me something not public.”

“Do you want to know how he got his name, or—”

“Wait. You know the story behind his name?”

“All of the brothers do.” He turns to glance at me briefly. “But you don’t, do you?”

“No. And don’t tell me.”

“Wasn’t going to, ma’am.”

“Don’t call me ma’am. My name is Sheri.”

“I know, ma’am. But I also know you’re claimed. And I really don’t want to get on Fly’s bad side. He’s a good friend to have.”

“Claimed. I’m not some object that can be claimed. Nor am I a fifty-year-old ma’am, do you hear me?”

He smirks. “Loud and clear, ma’am. Today isn’t the day I want to die. And I have enough to worry about without you being insulted by me trying to show you some respect.”

“Why are you worried about dying?”

Integer coughs and looks down.

“You know, men are crazy. Fly won’t kill you for calling me Sheridan.”

“He won’t. But I don’t know about your…um…hosts.”

My hosts? “Dahlia is the sweetest person ever.”

Integer clears his throat. “I didn’t mean her.”

“Maverick is a little intense—”

Integer coughs.

“—but he seems like a very loving and kind husband.”

“Do you see the good in everyone?”

“Not really, though I try to. Doesn’t everyone?”

“No.”

“Well, they should. It makes a hard life easier.” At least I can pretend it does.

“What is hard in your life?”

Huh? The intensity of his response throws me off more than I care to admit. “Everyone has challenges in their life.”

“That’s not what I asked. What’s hard in your life?”

Lie. A lie should slide off your tongue pretty easily. You don’t know this man. And this man doesn’t know you. “The same as everyone else.”

“What is hard in your life right now? You don’t have to tell me, but if you hide it from Fly, he’s not going to be happy.”

“Fly isn’t entitled to know my private information.”

Integer raises an eyebrow at me. “Fly acts easygoing, but that man is a deep well. You don’t want to see him when he finds out something is wrong with you, and you hid it from him.”