“Vance is an idiot.”
“No, he’s just not qualified for that job. Hale set up two secure work stations for you. One at our house, the other at Aran’s. We can go to either place.”
She was shaking her head. “I need to go to the office.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to speak with some of the staff. I need to know who has been acting differently. Believe me, someone did this from the inside. I need to know who. After that I will be able to find your money.”
“It’s our money now kitten.”
“Um, we can talk about it later. What day of the week is it anyway?”
With nothing to do except recover, she had lost track of the days.
“Wednesday.”
“Perfect. All I need is some work clothes.” She got up and headed for the shower.
She would always remember this as being the most perfect Wednesday. She was in love. Yes, she was now able to think about it without hiding from her thoughts. She was needed and she felt like she belonged.
She belonged! How she had always craved that feeling, the deep seated need to be part of something, to be part of someone. Damn, she was singing in the shower. She better stop, because she had thought of one of those Sheeran songs Rena was always humming.
Niko was still stretched out naked on the bed, while she hunted through her closet for clothes.
“Really? Are you lying like that to tempt me?”
“Is it working?”
Um yeah, but she wasn’t about to tell him. “Are you going into the office today?”
“Aran is bringing me clothes.” He raised up and headed for the bathroom. “I hope you’re planning on living with me. There is no way we can live here with this small bathroom.”
She looked into the mirror as the water came on and saw a silly smile on her lips. Never a question of if they would be together, simply a question of where.
She’d live anywhere with him, small bathroom or not.
She answered the door and let Aran in. Taking the clothes, she gave them to Niko, receiving a quick kiss in return.
The drive to the office had been easy, no tension at all. Aran had told Niko that Ash would procure a car for him. It would be fully equipped and delivered today. Niko had nodded like he expected it.
They pulled up in front of the building. “How am I supposed to play this? Should I act like I barely know you?”
“Probably not a good idea, since I am going to try and swallow your tongue every chance I get. Be who you are right now. The person coming after us already knows we are together. His accomplice will know also.”
She nodded and got out. “See you in a few.”
She walked into the office with a smile on her face. She was different now. She heard her name being called and walked over to Cheryl.
“Wow, Dee you look good. What happened to you?”
Dee smiled at her, a big ‘I am happy’ smile.
“You met a man. Don’t even bother denying it. I can tell from the glow on you. Dish girl, who is he? Do I know him?”
“Yeah, he works here.”
“What! Tell me already.”
She leaned over Cheryl and looked both ways before whispering to her. “Do you know Niko? The hot one with blonde hair and blue eyes?”
“Shut up! You’re lying!” Cheryl shouted before realizing it and lowered her voice.
Dee nodded her head to say yes him, then pointed her finger. Cheryl looked over to see Niko, staring at Dee with hungry eyes.
“You are the woman. I want to sit at your feet and take notes. Does he have brothers?”
“Now that you mention it, he has five and four of them are free.”
“Dee, come on. Can I get a hook up? Think about it. I am cute and single and ready to mingle.”
Dee laughed. She loved Cheryl. Maybe she would make a good mate.
“Now you know what I have been up to. What’s been going on in the office?”
“It’s been quiet, well almost quiet.”
“What happened?”
“There have been some strange happenings in your department.”
“Now who’s making who wait?”
Cheryl gave her a devious smile and beckoned her to come closer.
“I am not supposed to know this, but Jessie has gone crazy.” Cheryl rolled her eyes and made the crazy sign next to her head, rolling her fingers around. “I always thought she was a little off. Seems she’s not the only one either. Tina has been having problems too.”
“What have they been doing?”
“The other day Jessie was ranting about monsters making her do it and the earth being infiltrated with them. She called them horrible monsters. Her description was so real, I actually went and took a peek out of the door. I didn’t see any monsters. Ash came in. You know the one in security? She screamed to high heaven and took off. No one has seen her since.”