Page 29 of The True Garza

“And that would be?”

“I’m assuming a deep background check has already been done on me, so you’re undoubtedly aware of the hellish last two years I’ve had. I’m burned out on this job and trying to get out of it. But it’s hard when I’ve got a reputation behind my name. The contracts are gonna keep coming, and I’m gonna keep taking them because I need money.

“A few weeks ago, when I walked through the doors of this building, it was the first time in a long time I felt…thatfeeling. That feeling I had when Ilovedwhat I did. I felt, in a way, that I was supposed to be here. So, when I saw an opportunity, I took it. Taking down Jamal on my own is not a middle finger to you. It’s an audition.”

Stony Twin’s eyebrows shoot up. “An audition? For what?”

Fighting hard not to look down at the other twin that’s making my pulse double-beat from his penetrating stare, I give an easy shrug. “To work for Red Cage.”

“Are you serious? You just fucked an operation we werethisclose to wrapping.”

“Sorry about that. But how else was I supposed to get your attention?” I’m unapologetic. “This place is sexist as fuck. Loaded with testosterone. There are onlytwofemale workers here, and both of them are receptionists who look like Barbie dolls. I’m not an idiot. You’d have never taken me seriously.”

Stony Twin looks at me like he can’t believe the nerve of me.

“Also, simmer down,” I say with a wave of my hand, “I want a job in the private-security division. I’m not interested in risking my life doing whatever the hell it is you commandos do. I spent over a year living off the grid on my savings, so I’m low on funds, and I hear the private security pay here is worth taking a punch in the face for. Assuming I’ll be getting equal pay, of course.”

“You won’t be getting shit, ’cause we’re not hiring you,” Stony Twin retorts.

Inhaling a breath, I finally drop my gaze to True in silent question.

But he just stares at me with that same unreadable expression, arms folded tight across his chest. It’s almost as if he’sprotectinghimself from me? And that bothers me more than I want it to.

Show me something, anything. Please.

“Think about it.” I turn for the door. “I’ll be in touch.”

I know three pairs of eyes are watching me leave, but I only feel the searing touch of one.His. Like strong fingers gripping the back of my neck and slamming me face-first against the wall. Like a hard chest pressed against my back, a booted foot knocking my legs apart.

My heartrate skyrockets.

I’m not over that man. I want him so, so badly.

But after that meeting, I doubt he wants anything at all to do with me.

CHAPTER Nine

“So, you’re into the sister, too?”

True

“Hire her.”

“You can’t possibly be serious,” Trent says.

On the wall-monitor in the meeting room, Torin—the president, and my older brother—scratches his jaw and shrugs. “She’s got balls, I like it.”

“She fucked us.”

“Yeah, but name one Red Cage agent who’d be brazen enough to do something like that and then ask for a job on the heel of it,” Torin returns. “She’s the guns-blazing type. Love that shit. Should be interesting.”

“Of course you do,” Reuben—a VP and fraternal brother—mutters.

“Besides, the way I’m getting it, you’re the ones who made a bad call by not telling her what was up. Seems she wouldn’t have cared.”

“I voted for us telling her,” I remind the room. “I was outvoted.”

“Oh,nowyou speak,” Trent says, shooting me a glare. “You’ve been on mute for over anhour, brother. Record breaking. Never thought I’d see the day.”