Page 128 of Tempted By Poison
Jax one ups them before eventually giving him his bag. Nick walks off up the stairs, lifting the bag like it didn’t weigh a ton.
I shift, walking back to the data room. Jax follows. “I hope you’re prepared because you caught us right at the best time.”
“Why is that?”
“Because tonight we are going to the casino. The meeting is tonight.” I bust through the door, everyone looking at Jax now, some confused with frowns.
“Back to work,” I say out loud, heading to my group. They don’t look disgusted—they look stunned, even though they were aware I offered Jax to come.
The energy is thick, awkward even, until Jax clears his throat and extends his hand.
Anita tilts her head, eyeing him, before her gaze softens and she stands. She uncrosses her legs, stands, and steps forward, clasping his hand. “Welcome.”
Mal and Bedford follow suit. “I would say it’s good to see you...” Mal ventures off, giving a stiff smile.
I narrow at Mal, and she catches my eyes piercing into her face.
She clears her throat. “Welcome to the GenCre,” she says quickly, stepping away and sitting back down.
“Alright, we know tonight that meeting is happening. I know this is my issue. You all don’t have to come along, but since you are, I appreciate your loyalty.” The other team will stay back. It shouldn’t take a horde of mercs to do this. I sit back down, placing my elbows on my knees and clasp my hands together. Jax continues standing.
“Your fight is our fight, and it's also much bigger than that,” Anita says firmly, looking at me with her pretty, dark eyes.
A tiny bit of weight falls from my shoulders.Your fight is our fight.I never would've thought the day—
“Wait.” Mal sits up quickly in her seat, eyeing me and Anita. “Does this mean this you're staying, Cinderella?”
Anita's gaze stays on me, and she nods with a small smile on her lips. “Yes. I am.”
Mal face stretches into a smile that, I can admit, I have never seen before. It's not shrill and eerie, but it’s...pretty. Bedford gasps, joining in when a gleam on his face. He scoots Mal’s rolling seat out the way to perk in the middle. “You’re really staying?”
Anita nods again. “I just said—”
He jumps in his seat. “Oh, can I hug you now?”
My muscles tighten, and I glare at him. “Bedford,” I warn. I have no reason to react this way, but anyone touching her intimately like that doesn't sit well with me. I want to be the only one to have that experience. No one else. She’ll say no, anyway. My body loosens.
Anita’s brow perk. “Uh. Sure.”
Now it's my turn to be surprised. Bedford reaches over and wraps his long arms around Anita's neck, practically crushing her to his cheek. His eyes close, as if it's the best gift he could ever receive.
It is.
I investigate the entire thing with a snarl, eyeing his arm placement, and how close his face is. I don't like it.
And she looks uncomfortable. “Okay, that's enough.” She pats his arm. I smile at the situation. Not from Bedford getting a chance to touch her, but the fact that she's speaking openly about us. Do I say girlfriend, or is that too childish?
Childish.
She’s something and a redundant title isn’t it. The mark she put on my chest with her letter says it all.
Mal kicks her legs out, leaning back in her seat. “Now you can do my nails whenever I tell you to.”
“You won't be telling me to do anything.” Anita rolls her eyes at Mal.
My head cocks back. “Nails?” Mal has never wanted her nails done. I thought that was just decoration for the gala. Everyone is just full of surprises, today.
Mal whips her head to me, and she grins sheepishly, scratching her scalp. “Yeah...uhm sometimes...I like. Forget about it.” She waves me off, then changes the subject. “Are you getting your own room then? I know how suffocating it can be living under the bosses' roof, am I right?” Mal chuckles, jerking her thumb at me.
