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“Yeah,” he said. “Sorry I don’t have it furnished yet, but I thought it would help you finish the story.”

“Okay,” I said, pulling up the already prepped Word file. “Just a few final questions.”

“Hold on. Can I say something first?”

I glanced over at the elevators and then back at him. “Sure. Yeah. Go ahead.”

“Why are you doing this story? Is this some type of trick? You seemed pretty certain you would have nothing to do with me after yesterday.”

Damn, is he smarter than I thought? I worried.

“Trick? No, not at all. A story on a former Savage Soldier doing good in the big city will get my journalism career back in gear. Colorado is my hometown too, you know that. I want to do this story. Trust me.”

“All right. I’ll trust you,” he said, although he stared at me warily.

“Okay,” I said, my fingers positioned on the keyboard. “I still need the name of your business.”

“We haven’t decided yet, right Melvin?” Warren asked from behind me.

What the hell?

I spun around and saw him staring at me with his massive arms crossed over his chest. “Warren? What are you doing here?”

“I’d like to ask you the same question.”

“Now, now,” Melvin said.

Warren and I both turned to him. “Shut up!” we said at the same time before looking back at each other.

“Why don’t you tell him the truth, Rose?” Melvin said. “We’re here to fuck.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, whipping my head around toward him.

“You know, baby. My cock.” He grabbed his nuts and lifted them.

Warren rushed forward, ready to punch him, but I stepped in between the two of them.

“Hold on,” I said.

“She wanted to put her hands all over me, bro, but I said no.”

“What the hell are you smoking, Melvin?” I said angrily. I turned to Warren. “You don’t believe this asshole, do you?”

“Who served with you in the Stan, man?” Melvin puffed up his chest. “Me.”

Warren turned his attention from Melvin, back to me.

I pleaded to him with my eyes, silently begging him to believe me.

“I’m leaving,” he said, taking a step back.

“Wait.” Melvin stepped forward. “Fuck her. Let’s do this business deal. Once you’re in, you can’t get out. Remember?”

“I’m leaving,” Warren said, spinning around and walking toward the elevator.

At that precise moment, Kim popped out, pointing at Melvin. “She show you the article, mother fucker?”

Warren walked around her and into the elevator. I rushed behind him, but the door closed just as I arrived.