Page 23 of Fatal Vision

Ingram was such a dick, it wouldn’t surprise Colton if he was watching the house right now. “I’ll do my best to be a law-abiding citizen and keep my nose so clean it shines.”

“I don’t like to lay down ultimatums any more than I do making threats, but I’m afraid I have to. If you step out of line—even so much as kick that proverbial line with the toe of your boot—I’ll put you on suspension. Are we clear?”

Irritation burned in his chest, the dragon itching to breathe fire. “Have I ever let you down?”

“No,” Beatrice admitted. “That’s why it pains me to play disciplinarian, Colton. You know I care about each and every one of the men on my staff, but in the interests of this business remaining viable, I must look out for the entire SFI family, and that means I can’t allow you, or anyone else, to jeopardize our operations over a personal matter.”

“Like I said, I understand.”

“On the other hand, let me also remind you that you are an important member of the SFI family. If you need anything in the way of assistance in order to secure your ex-wife’s personal health and well-being, or any means of help solving the case of her shooting, do not hesitate to call me. I will move mountains for you.”

Colton couldn’t help the smile that tickled his lips. “Love you too, boss.”

He heard her faint chuckle. “There’s that cheekiness again.”

He dunked the tea bag up and down in the water. Shelby had always hated when he did that, insisting the tea should be left alone to steep. “There is one thing.”

“Name it.”

“Can you get a Vesper EX to me tomorrow? Shelby’s home security sucks.”

The click of fingers on a keyboard echoed through the connection. “Text me the delivery address. You’ll have it by 9 a.m.”

Another thing to love about working for Shadow Force—Beatrice could make miracles out of thin air and she rarely refused to do so when asked for one. She was better than Jesus.

Don’t tell that to the reverend. “Thanks.”

“In exchange, I expect a report from you every twelve hours on the dot. If you fail to do so, I will send Connor after you with orders to bring you home whether or not you’ve finished your business in Good Hope. Are we clear?”

Damn. He never wanted to let her down. She’d believed in him and those that did were few and far between. Not only had she given him a second chance, she’d given his best friend, Connor, one as well.

But checking in like he was an amateur was asking too much. “That’s really not necessary. I can handle this.”Whatever this is.

“Non-negotiable,” she replied. “If you fail to report in, I will send Connor after you. If you evade him, I’ll send Cal and Trace. You don’t want that.”

He sure as hell didn’t.

“And if that happens, you will be on suspension from Rock Star Security and SFI,” she added.

“You’d haul me back just to put me on suspension?”

“You’ll be assigned light duty.” He heard the confident smile in her voice.

“Do I want to know what that entails?”

“Answering phones, opening mail, and bringing me smoothies. We haven’t found a solid replacement for Connor yet and he’s ready for his first overseas assignment when it becomes available. I’m in desperate need of an office manager when he goes, and you’ll do. That also means diaper duty.”

Fuck that shit. “You’re evil.”

“Yes, I am.”

The phone went dead.

Smiling, Colton texted her Shelby’s address and put his cell away. Beatrice was a hardass, and he was, in effect, screwed, but the Good Lord knew he liked a challenge.

His fingers shook as he took the tea bag out and tossed it in the garbage, dripping tea as he went. Too many hours without solid sleep or a shot of bourbon to take the edge off made him feel wonky.

The seventy-two hour deadline was impossible and he’d never really planned to stick to it unless Shelby threw him out on his ear. Then he’d have no reason to stay, and quite honestly, he’d figured she’d do just that. Now he was here and she needed him. He was determined more than ever to find the man who’d shot her.