Page 49 of The Revenge Agenda

His words take a second to process. “I’m listening.”

“You—and the team—get to set your own hours. As long as they’re between seven and nine and you complete your set hours and assigned work. You can clock on and off to keep track.”

“You’re shitting me.”

“I’m not.” The smug smile he gives me is well deserved. “But it’s going to require communication between you four and me. Think you can manage that?”

“Hey, I never have a problem with communication,” I pretend-grumble. “Everyone else has a problem communicating with me.”

“And yet, we manage.”

I think back over our conversations. Since we resolved the tension between us, I don’t think Hunter’s gotten snappy with me once. I also can’t remember getting snappy with him.

That’s a bit cute of us.

“Why are people saying you’re homeless?”

“They’re what?”

“Saying you’re homeless. Didn’t we just say we don’t have communication issues?”

“I know what you said, but who the hell is saying that?”

“Eloise. Who heard it from Hannah in accounts. They all sound worried about you, but you told me you’re in a hotel, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

“Then why are they making out like you don’t have somewhere to live?”

Hunter goes to run his hand through his hair but catches himself in time. He redirects to rubbing the back of his neck instead. His bicep moves under his tight shirt, and I have to bite my lip painfully to stop from saying anything. Hunter is a goddamn snack.

And my boss. Can’t forget that part.

“This is why I didn’t want to say anything.”

“About?”

“I’m having trouble finding a place to rent. It’s not a big deal, but I thought I’d ask around to see if anyone knew anyone. That’s all.”

I laugh, considering Ian is in real estate. “Kinda sucks that the one person who could have helped you is the whole reason you need to find a place to begin with.”

Hunter’s gaze sharpens. “I’m not calling him.”

“I never said you should.”

“Fuck.” This time, he gives in and burrows his fingers into his hair. His voice is rough when he talks again. “He might be my only chance though.”

“Are you really that desperate?”

“I can’t keep living out of a hotel, Rush.”

I deflate, mind stuck on my junk room and the fact he probably needs it more than Madden needs to store his multiple late-night purchases. Where I’m going to put everything, I have no goddamn clue, and it’s giving me the ick to even offer this without a plan, but I … I can’t not.

“We have a spare room,” I say. “You can move in with me and my friends, but head’s up, until you tell him not to, Xander will creep into your bed for snuggles at night. It’s harmless, and he’s sweet, but he always wakes up with a boner, so it’s best to let him know up front and save you both the embarrassment. Unless you like being knob-nudged as a wake-up call, in which case, that’s a guarantee. Don’t worry about the junk. I’ll … we’ll …”

“That’s very kind of you to offer, but it’s a solid no. After …” He exhales stiffly. “I can’t live in the same house as you.”

“Scared you’ll kiss me again?”

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