Page 65 of Ozzie

Today, I’m in the office working on my reports from my assignment in Turkey with Harding. Piper insisted on coming to work, too, so she could get her mind off of everything. Durango and I weren’t sure Reed would be on board because the bruising on her face is quite noticeable.

The bruising from that asshole. He better not try to come around her again. Both Durango and I are ready to finish him off.

Harding called and left a voicemail this morning. I’ve put off calling her back, hoping to finish the report first, but it’s clear I’m not as focused as I need to be, so I listen to my voicemail.

“Ozzie, it’s Harding. Two things. First, I want to chat briefly about our last assignment. Second, why didn’t you tell me you were getting a new hire? I had to hear it from Stormy. Call me.”

A new hire? Stormy really did it. Ever since Coff transferred to the Seattle office, Stormy mentioned he wanted to hire another person for our office. He even asked if we knew anyone we trusted. Frankly, I’d forgotten about it all. I wonder if any of the other guys recommended someone.

I grab my coffee cup and step out of my office. There’s laughter down the hall, and I decide to check it out.

“Piper has been here just over a year, and if you need anything, she can help you,” Reed says to a man whoseback is to me. “Ozzie! I’d like you to meet our newest member, Moose.”

The man turns around and sticks out his hand. “Good to meet you. I’m happy Reed is giving me a chance here.”

I shake his hand. “Reed is a good guy.” I glance at Reed, hoping he’ll mention where this guy came from. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s fine. But it’s always nice to have someone vouch for a guy.

“Let me introduce you to the other guys who are here,” Reed says.

Moose turns to Piper. “It was very nice meeting you.”

To my shock, Piper blushes. “Me too. I mean, it was good to meet you too.”

The man walks away, and I stare at Piper.

She finally sees me. “Ozzie, hi.”

I cross my arms. “Should I be jealous?” I ask.

She tilts her head. “Of what? It’s not like we’re dating.”

Okay, that stings. It’s not my fault we aren’t dating. But hell, maybe she would be better off with that guy. He has no history with her cousin, and if I had to guess his age, it’s younger than mine so closer to hers. But the thought of them together pisses me off.

“It’s not my fault we aren’t,” I say.

“What’s not your fault?” Durango asks.

I freeze, and Piper replies. “That a new guy was hired.”

“Yeah, I didn’t realize Stormy would move so fast on hiring someone.”

Piper tilts her head. “He mentioned it months ago. I wouldn’t say he moved fast.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. Durango’s distracted with the new hire.

“Huh, seems odd that Reed wouldn’t tell us in advance,” Durango says.

“It’s possible he didn’t know,” Piper says.

“He’s his business partner. He knew,” Durango says.

“Harding was aware. She left a voicemail right before he walked in, stating we were getting someone new. She heard from Stormy,” I say.

Laughter from the kitchen flows to us. “Sounds like Lightning. We better stop him before he tries to recruit the new guy to his schemes,” I say, then head that way.

“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t drink coffee made here?” Moose asks.

Lightning grins. “Exactly.”

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