Chapter 15 MINKA #2
“I didn’t kick you out because of anything you said!
” I kicked you out because my life is currently on fire.
Sighing, I clasp my hands together and wander around to the front of my desk.
“You know me, Raquel. I’m socially stunted and lack basic manners.
I kicked you out because I was done having guests.
I’d had a lot of them, for hours, and that was on the back of a wedding that had already drained my social battery.
I don’t care who you’re sleeping with. I don’t care if they’re male or female.
I don’t care if you have one of each in your bed at the same time, or none, or some other variation of the V and the D.
I honestly just don’t give a crap. Be happy, hurt no one, and keep your standards high.
If Taylor is good to you, then I’m happy for you.
If, eventually, the relationship turns to shit, then toss her to the side and try someone else. ”
“Are you…” She stands, too, dropping her hands into her coat pockets and lowering her gaze to the floor.
Which is not like Raquel at all. “Are you sure it’s not weird?
Maybe you have gay friends—like, two dudes—but if I’m your first two-chicks friend, then maybe it’s got something spinning in the back of your mind.
Something you didn’t even know existed until this very moment.
And now you don’t know how to toss me away without looking like an asshole. ”
“Have I ever cared about looking like an asshole?” I counter easily. “No. I haven’t. I consider you my friend now, just as I did on Friday.”
“As in, not at all?”
“Exactly. Bang whoever you wanna bang. Just keep coming to work and make your way through that massive backlog piled up on your desk. If being in a relationship means you slow the team down—whether you’re dating a guy or a girl—I’ll kick your ass and schedule you for so much overtime, whatever romance you thought you were enjoying won’t last long.
Next time, wait for Aubree to be here before you ask for a deep-and-meaningful.
I count on her to shield me from uncomfortable conversations, and she usually smooths feathers and keeps me from being too offensive. ”
“Uncomfortable conversations… because I like chicks sometimes?”
“Uncomfortable, because you’re talking about feelings! Now go.” I head to my door and yank it open. “Are you secretly attracted to me, Doctor Raquel? It would explain why you didn’t go to my wedding and you never say nice things about my husband.”
She scoffs, breezing through the door and coming to a stop on the other side.
“If I were going to bang a female coworker, I’d pick Aubree.
She’s way nicer than you, and her taste in men is admirable.
I’m not saying I’d toss Archer out of my bed if he ended up in it, and he’s totally cute with how he treats you like fine china.
But Tim is in a whole other league of his own. He’s a Grade-A hottie.”
“Get out!” Laughing, I toss the door closed, but it doesn’t slam the way I want it to. Instead, it slowly, painfully, torturously shifts an inch at a time toward the midpoint. “Shit. This isn’t as dramatic as I wanted it to be.”
“Sucks to be you.” Raquel finger waves and turns on her heels, only to almost walk straight into Rambo’s firstborn son. “Jesus!” She startles, sidesteps, and broadens her shoulders. Brimming with pride and faux sophistication, she flips her hair back and makes a beeline for the elevator.
Don’t talk to them. Don’t joke with them. Don’t mess with them.
But I didn’t say not to almost run face-first into one.
Shaking my head, I stalk back to my desk and drop into my chair.
Rolling it forward, I wiggle my computer mouse and continue delegating cases.
I work through all ten in no particular order and with no consideration for who gets which, but when I pull up my first—not Agosti—so I can sandwich the prick between both cases, Rambo’s colleague—a muscle clad dude who looks like Jackie Chan and Val Kilmer had a child—strides through my door and stops in front of my desk.
His eyes are hard, his hands balled by his sides.
His weapons are not freely exposed, but I’d be na?ve to assume he carries none.
Especially considering the bulge at the side of his jacket.
“It’s time for you to complete your assignment, Chief Mayet.”
I stare at my computer screen and consider how best to tell a massive, trigger-happy guy to fuck off tactfully. But before I have a chance to open my mouth, my phone trills, so I swing my hand out and snatch it up on the first ring. “This is Chief Mayet.”
“Chief. This is Justin. I haven’t caught you at a bad time, have I?”
Normally? Yep. All the time is a bad time.
“Absolutely not.” I sit back and fold one arm across my chest. One leg over the other. “I have time for you, Mayor. How can I help you?”
Val Chan’s glare sizzles in my peripherals.
“Really?” Lawrence hesitates. “I expected you’d be busy first thing on a Monday morning.”
“If you expected me to be busy, why call?”
He chuckles. “I suppose I was hoping for the best. You’re always busy, and I’m always running behind you, trying to catch up. I noticed you had quite a few guests at your home yesterday. Have fun?”
“Are you the president of the HOA? Should I always expect you to violate my privacy, or is this an isolated incident?”
“I have eyes, Chief. I see cars coming and going. I’m not interested in policing your guests. I was merely making mention of them while remembering your abhorrence of social gatherings. When I asked if you had fun, I was being sincere.”
I could’ve been slicing a man’s chest open by now. Even with a handful of mercenary stares and the possibility of a bullet in my back.
I’m not sure how I thought, even temporarily, this would be a better option.
“Minka?”
“As fun as forced social gatherings can be,” I drawl. “Did you know Doctor Raquel’s boyfriend is actually a girlfriend?”
“Er…” Stunned, he hesitates for a beat. “Yes, I did know. Is that… why is that a problem?”
“It’s not a problem. But I totally thought she was into guys. Her sister left this morning, and Doctor Emeri is on leave, so the office is quieter than usual. Is Fifi in?”
“You mean Seraphina? Yes, she’s in. Is there a reason she shouldn’t be?”
“Nope. Just curious. So what are you… uh…” Small talk sucks! “What did you do yesterday?”
“You’re done.” Cordoza’s guard steps forward and presses his finger to the phone cradle, killing my call, and extending his hand, palm side up, like he expects me to hand him the other end. “You have work to do, Doctor Mayet. Mr. Cordoza appreciates your undivided attention to the matter.”
“That was the mayor, just so you know.” I slam the phone back into place, missing the guy’s fingers by a hair as he jerks his hand away.
Then I settle back and study the man’s tanned face.
His dark, dark brown eyes and the buzz cut that creates a shadow against his scalp.
Cool for the summer, freezing for the winter.
“The mayor cares that he speaks to me. I’m certain he’ll call back in a moment, and you’ll have extended the time Mr. Cordoza had to wait. ”
“I could call Mr. Cordoza and inform him of your desire for idle gossip. I’m certain he would gladly contact your friend and let him know you’re busy.” He stops and sneers. “You probably don’t want him doing that, though.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Considering how little you enjoy people knowing your business?” He scoffs. “I suppose it is. But if you insist.” He dips a hand into his pocket and takes out his phone. “I don’t mind making the introductions.”
“Jesus. Fine!” I shove to my feet and send my chair spinning backwards until it crashes into the bookshelf behind my desk. Snagging my cell and slipping it into my pocket, I shake my hair back and stalk around my desk. “You’re exceptionally pushy, you know that? And rude, too.”
“I could be pushier.” He follows me to the door and pulls it wide before I can. “And I assure you, Chief, you don’t know how rude I can be. Lead me to your autopsy suite, please.”
“Have to go to the fridge on level two first.” I stride across the threshold and go all the way to the elevator, tap the call button, and get lucky when the doors open instantly and the inside remains blissfully empty.
Stepping in, I turn again and meet my most annoying guard with an expression of smug nonchalance.
Not that I feel either.
“I need to sign our John Doe out of the refrigerator. I’ll be back in about five minutes. Feel free to head on over to the coffee machine and make yourself at home.”
Yeah right. He moves through the door and turns to stand on my left, his shoulder brushing mine. Then a second guard follows, sandwiching me on the other side.
What do they think? I’m going to escape them in the tiny cube-of-truth-telling-and-something-something.
Frustrated, I stare through the doorway at the remaining two guards. “I’d invite them in, but I’m not sure the weight limits would allow it.”
“Level two.” Guard-Boy-Number-One thumbs the two on the control panel, then, straightening out, he firms his jaw and stares straight ahead, unemotional, untouchable.
Unflappable. “We needn’t discuss the matter, Chief.
You work, we’ll observe. You’re making this more difficult for yourself than it needs to be. ”