by Susan Hayes
Their offices were on the same floor they’d built Michelle’s ghost trap, a fitting tribute to the origins of Division S, and their operations room ceiling still had the pentagram inscribed into it. Anya had told them to leave it in place as part of the protection wards that now guarded the entire floor. Remington had just loved that.
“I’ve come to realize that with all the hiring and training going on, we missed one very important position.” Her eyes took on that sparkle he adored, and he knew she was about to get sassy with him again.
“And what position is it you’re looking to take over, from my office?”
“Client relations.”
“Client what now? Baby, I hate to point this out, but we don’t even have any clients yet.”
“And we never will if I leave it up to you and Geoff. Let’s face it. Neither of you are the warm and fuzzy type. The people coming to us for help are going to be scared and likely questioning their sanity. They need a sympathetic ear, someone who’s been where they’re standing. I’m going to be the kinder, gentler face of Division S, maybe even of the whole Paladin agency when Geoff thinks I can be helpful. You and Jase get to play with your shiny new toy, or what I keep hearing is now called the Gulf Bravo Unit.”
Sinjin grimaced. He hated that name, and the next time he saw Jase he was going to remind him just how much.
“It is not the Gulf Bravo Unit. It’s Division S. That’s just Jase’s pet name. I wish he’d quit using it.”
“What’s it mean?”
“Golf Bravo, as in Gee-Bee, as in Ghostbusters.” Sin ground out the explanation, his jaw tensing up more with every syllable. “And quit changing the subject.”
“Oh no!” Michelle burst out laughing, her eyes wide with amusement. “Seriously? He’s such a little boy sometimes!”
“And you are a minx.” He waved his hand around the office space. “When were you going to tell me about this new job?”
“Geoff only gave me formal approval this morning,” she admitted. “I wanted to be sure he was on board before I told you. I wasn’t sure you’d agree.”
“So you ordered the furniture before you even knew if it was a sure thing? It’s a good thing you’re paying the bills around here, baby, or I’d have to discuss budgeting with you. And why did you think I wouldn’t approve? You helped create all this. If you wanted to be part of it, you should have told me.”
Her smile lit up the room brighter than the winter sunshine that came in through the windows. “Well, Paladin is your family. I wasn’t sure you’d want me here.”
“Of course I want you here. You’re here half the damned time anyway. I see no reason not to make it official. You really should have told me though. And I’m still not sure I’m happy you’ve stolen my office.” He slanted her a grin, and his fingers flexed as he started considering how best to punish her for leaving him out of the loop, not to mention swiping his office. “I’m going to have a long chat with Remington, very soon.” He started moving toward her. “But first, you and I are going to have a quick refresher course on what happens when you sass me.”
She grinned and kicked off her heels, already moving backward and increasing the space between them as she ducked around her new desk. “You’ll have to catch me first!”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan lives out on the Canadian west coast surrounded by open water, dear family, and good friends. She’s jumped out of perfectly good airplanes on purpose and had lunch next to the queen of Denmark by accident. She’s worked for local law enforcement, been a freelance wordsmith, and bakes what she claims are the world’s best double-chocolate-and-caramel brownies. She’s passionately in love with the written word (and a few of her more hunky creations). Writing is her joy, her escape from reality, and the only way she knows of to quiet the nagging harridan of a muse she claims the universe assigned to her.
For all titles by Susan Hayes, please visit
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