Page 117 of Hidden Ties

“You should take your own advice and let Castillo hire another lawyer.”

It would be easier to put his head through a cement block rather than convince Wraith of anything once his mind was made up.

Resigned, he started walking back to his car.

“Text Sarge I’m heading back with Mica. I don’t want to get shot by a trigger-happy recruit worried because I’m a few minutes late.”

“Will do,” Wraith called out, getting on his bike. “By the way, in case you forgot, my birthday is next weekend. I could use an extra bike.”

Grinding his teeth, Creed strode back to his car, resuming the role he had learned was more acceptable to the world he lived in now.

As he drove through the open metal gates, Kent took a second to make sure he wasn’t being followed before checking out a pale-faced Mica. “You okay?”

Mica wiped the sweat away from his forehead despite the air conditioner going full blast. “I’m never doing that again.”

They always said that the first time someone put themselves in a risky situation. Only a few learned from the experience and never endangered themselves again. He had a feeling Mica wouldn’t be one of the few. He might not have done the guy a favor by accepting the job. It might have been better to let Wraith fuck him up badly enough to put his ass in the hospital. Mica was lucky this time; he might not be the next time.

Regardless of how awesome or smart you thought you were at surviving in the underworld of crime, shit happened when you least expected it. That was how so many who lived the life ended up an unrecognizable corpse in a morgue. The trick was to have an ace in a hole, which could be used in a dire emergency. Using that trick more than once to save his own life, he always kept one. He hoped, since Wraith had taught him that lesson, he should be good, Kent told himself.

Despite telling himself that, his gut told him Wraith had bitten off more than he could chew. Kaston Castillo showed no mercy to anyone who betrayed him and those who unwarily got caught in the crossfire. God Himself couldn’t help Wraith if Castillo found out he had bought the jewelry. The mob boss was his own judge, jury, and executioner, and not even the gates of hell were able to hold him back when he sought revenge. There was only one recourse: run … fast and far … and pray he didn’t catch you.

SEVENTEEN

It was much easier Monday morning than her previous days at Hollingsworth. Knowing she wasn’t going to have to work with Livvy within breathing distance made a world of difference. She showed up thirty minutes early and was sitting outside Bree’s office before she arrived.

Her outlook might be brighter, while Bree would still have to lie in the same bed she had made with Livvy.

Quickly getting to her feet when Bree came within sight, Sage spoke before she could disappear into her office and be forced to wait until Bree was ready to call her into her office.

“When we spoke Friday, I forgot to ask if I should report to work this morning.”

Stiffly, Bree brushed past her to open the door. “You may report to Mrs. Parsons. I’ll send the rest of the required paperwork over. Make sure you send it back by the end of the day.”

Handing her the yellow envelope that Bree had given her Friday, Sage nodded. “I’ll make sure I get it completed and returned. Thank you.”

Sage thought she heard Bree mutter something under her breath as she was walking away, but she didn’t turn back around.The woman’s dislike of her was becoming worse each time they came in contact with each other. Sage couldn’t understand why Bree disliked her so much. She had always been nice and respectful to her.

Putting it out of her mind, she headed to the file office. It was a good thing she hadn’t been hired permanently in the file division. There was no way she would have been able to continue having to work with Livvy and Bree. Both women were determined to make her work life as miserable as possible. Hopefully, the location where she would be working would put her out of sight, out of mind.

Glenda’s cheerful enthusiasm when she presented herself more than made up for Bree’s unprofessional behavior.

“I almost kissed Mr. Hollingsworth when he came by Friday to tell me who my replacement was going to be.”

Sage laughed. “I’m glad I have your approval.”

Despite her laughter, something in her tone must have alerted Glenda that not everyone was overjoyed with the good news.

Glenda frowned. “Have you been given a hard time?”

“Put it this way, I plan to stay far from that part of the building,” she said wryly.

“I don’t think it’s going to make a difference.” Sadness filled Glenda’s face. “I’ve noticed since those women banded together, they managed to get rid of anyone they consider competition.”

Glenda’s choice of words had her looking questioningly at her. “Competition?”

Scowling, she nodded toward the pictures of the lawyers who worked on the top floor. “Unless you are over forty-five, wear a wedding ring, or pitch for the other team, no one outside of their group of homewreckers gets past Livvy, Bree, Susan, or Nancy. Those three are cutthroat, which is why I was so shocked whenyou got the job. I’m warning you now: they aren’t going to give up until you get fired. They’re going to get worse.”

Becoming deflated, she twisted the watch on her wrist. “I hope you’re wrong. I don’t understand. I’m not any competition for them.”