Page 28 of Dual Destruction

“No one you need to worry about.”

“Is he the other guy who was here?”

The microwave beeped and I grabbed the mug, returning it to Sage without a word.

“That’s a yes,” he said, taking a small drink of the reheated coffee.

“Silence isn’t compliance,” I snapped, “or agreement.”

He scratched the side of his nose and shrugged. “Right.”

“You, of all people…” I stopped myself from finishing the thought. I sat down at the table and yanked his file back toward me, then pulled my sandwich apart and flipped the cover open to stare at his biography.

“I’m right here,” he reminded me.

“And you won’t tell me anything about yourself, Sandy, so this is what I’ve got.”

“Foster, you call me Sandy again and it’ll be the last word you ever fucking say.”

I hadn’t realized how accustomed I’d become to hearing him call me Golden. WhenFostertumbled out of his mouth, my name sounded foreign on his tongue and to my ears. He had to have called me Foster at some point. At the cabin probably, when he’d wanted to prove that he knew who I was, but not since.

“You’re a lot of talk for a man with a price on his head.”

“You’re a lot of talk for a man who doesn’t even have a loaded gun.”

I pulled my Ruger out of my pocket and waved it at him with a smirk. “You think it’s not loaded?” I asked. “What did you say the night we met, Sage? Fuck around and find out?”

“Fuck you, Golden.”

I slammed the gun down on top of his file and glared at him. “Shut up and eat your fucking food, Sage, or you’ll be one step closer to making me a millionaire.”

“I don’t like this side of you,” he grunted, taking a bite of the turkey sandwich I’d made after he got out of the bath.

“This is me,” I said, unapologetic.

He regarded me thoughtfully as he chewed, swallowing before saying, “Not around me it’s not.”

I inhaled and looked away, stabbing one of my fingers against a potato chip and shattering it into pieces.

My phone buzzed against my thigh and I pulled it out, thankful for something to do that wasn’t bounce between wanting to fuck Sage and wanting to fuck him to death. The call was from Ronan, and I swiped to answer, lowering the volume before raising the phone to my ear.

“Hey,” I answered.

Across the table, Sage ate, quietly and dutifully, but I could feel the tension and nerves rolling off him in waves.

“There you are,” Ronan said, voice full of relief.

“I’m right where you left me,” I said.

“I haven’t heard from you since…”

“I know. I’ve had my hands full.”

“How is he?” Ronan asked.

“Alive.” I flicked my attention up at Sage, who watched me as he chewed. “For now.”

“Is he still bleeding?” Ronan’s tone took on a dark edge of panic.