Page 15 of Desperate Games

“I’ve met them before, Connor. It’ll be fine.”

He lets out a dry laugh and tosses a folder onto his desk like it did something to offend him or his ancestors.

“Yeah, but that was as Junior’s childhood buddy. You were a plus-one with dimples and a dress shirt. Now, you’re meeting them as Sigma International’s newest team leader—the guy responsible for training the men and women who guard their fucking families.”

I shrug. “Tomato, tomahto.”

“You keep that attitude and it’s gonna be Remy, dead body, okay?” he growls. “Let me tell you something, son. Nothing is more important to the Volkov Clan than family.”

“I understand?—”

“You might think you do,” he interrupts, pointing a finger at me like he’s about to hex me. “But trust me, you have no fucking idea.”

I roll my eyes and kick back in the chair, crossing my arms.

“You about done with the dramatic monologue, or should I cue the thunder and lightning sound effects?”

Connor just narrows his eyes.

“If you screw this up, they won’t just fire you. They’ll disappear you. Do you understand?”

I grin.

“If they disappear me, do I still get severance?”

“Falco.”

“Alright, alright,” I say, standing and grabbing the file he threw at me. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Shirt tucked in. Weapon holstered. No eye-fucking anyone’s daughters in front of them?—”

“I swear to God, if you even breathe in the direction of one of the girls?—”

“Too late,” I mutter under my breath, but loud enough to be a little reckless.

Connor stares at me like he’s this close to launching a stapler at my head.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. I said I’m looking forward to it,” I say with a smirk and a shrug, already walking out.

“If you fuck this up and make me look bad?—”

“Who me? I’m fucking a delight, Callahan.”

I leave his office shaking my head, biting back a laugh.

Fucking Callahan and his over-the-top tough guy shit.

Every conversation with that guy feels like a goddamn test wrapped in a threat with a bow of Catholic guilt on top.

But now I’ve got three days until I sit down with every protective Volkov, Ramirez, and Fury within driving distance.

Three days until I get to lay eyes on Andrea again—if she shows.

And I’m counting every damn second.

Because if Connor thinks his family loyalty is intimidating, he’s got nothing on what I’m feeling right now.

I don’t just want to be some fucking employee for these people.