Page 13 of Reaper & the Lioness
Kenna perked up. “Wait, is this another weird software start-up? I can’t work with another techbro CEO.”
I laughed, remembering the horror stories of one of her former clients who considered himself a cooler version of Mark Zuckerberg. “I’m working with the Lone Star Mavericks. Reputation repair and crisis management, mostly.”
Kenna set down her phone, and I watched the ceiling for a moment as I listened to her tap a keyboard. She gasped before picking it back up to look at me.
“Eva. You can’t be working with a biker gang. These guys are dangerous.”
“Not all the headlines are true,” I said defensively. “I have a story running today about a Maverick that mentors high school boys.”
A few more clicks and Kenna hummed. “I see that. Jack Patino. He’s cute. Is he single? You should go out with him.”
I laughed. “I can’t date a client.”
“Sure you can,” Kenna said nonchalantly. “You own the company. That means you make the HR rules and you can do whatever you want. It’s been a while since you’ve let your hair down. And these guys certainly look like they know how to have some fun.”
I rolled my eyes. “Jesus, you sound just like Rhetta.”
Kenna cackled. “Has she handpicked a biker for you?”
I groaned as Kenna continued to prod.
“Please tell me he has tattoos. And that he’s packing more than a gun.” Kenna waggled her brows suggestively.
I hesitated a second too long.
“Oh my God. Are you blushing? Who is it? Tell me everything.”
I tried to sound casual. “It’s not like that.”
“Uh-huh,” Kenna drawled, not buying it for a second. “I’m looking at a group photo of the club I found on a news site. So, which one is he? Is it the brooding one with the murdery eyes? Or the one with the scar on his cheek? The blond one is too pretty for you. He’s more my type. Maybe I should move to Texas …”
I nearly tripped over Hawk as I laughed. “Kenna!”
She giggled with delight. “So, what’s his name?”
I sighed. “Reaper.”
Kenna stayed quiet for a beat. “You’re making that up.”
“I wish I was. That’s his road name. I don’t know his real one.”
Kenna whistled. “Reaper. Jesus. That’s not intimidating at all. Is he hot?”
I hesitated again, which was answer enough.
“Oh, he’s hot. You have to at least send me a picture. For HR purposes.”
I shook my head. “You’re impossible. Nothing can happen. He’s the VP of the club. My HR director says he’s off limits.”
“You should fire that bitch.”
I chuckled as I shook my head. “This is the biggest contract I’ve landed so far. I can’t risk it.”
“Bummer. Promise me you’ll call if you need me to move to Texas to be your backup. Or if you need bail money.”
“Deal. But if you join my company, you can’t veto my HR decisions.”
“Rude. Love you.”
