Page 35 of Keeping Kasey
I almost laugh. “You really think he’ll find anything she doesn’t know is out there?”
“I think it’s better than doing nothing at all.”
“Whatever,” I say with a wave. “I want progress reports as he works.”
Moreno stands, bracing his hands on my desk and glaring at me. “I want to be crystal clear: if anything, and I meananything,happens to Elise because you brought Kasey in, I will hold you personally responsible, and Iwillretaliate.”
I slowly stand, matching Moreno’s height and aggressive stance. “Let’s not forget whose territory you’re in. I’d think twice before threatening mein my own office—especially when my desire to keep you alive is already nonexistent.”
His lip hints at lifting as he nods his agreement and promptly leaves my office.
Moreno’s impromptu visit effectively ruins my mood, and I tell James to keep everyone out of my office. My original plan to summon Kasey is postponed until I’m in a smug enough mood to enjoy messing with her.
For now, I schedule a meeting with the heads of several families in my territory to settle a turf war. While half of my job consists of running my own family, the other half is fixing issues within others. I could let them battle it out themselves, but I prefer to have a hand in the affairs of those within my territory.
A yellow circle flickers onto my screen, and my stomach drops.
Pac-Man.
I grab my phone, ready for the power to go out… but nothing happens. The circle doesn’t take up the entire screen, only the center, and nothing else seems to be affected.
The mouth of the Pac-Man opens and closes, and after a full minute of watching it, I slide the mouse across the screen and click it.
The message appears on the screen in big, black letters with a text box below.
Kasey:Did you have a good morning?
It’s like everyone is trying to piss me off for sport today.
Logan:My office.
Kasey:And here I thought you learned a thing or two from this morning about how to ask for what you want.
The nerve.
Logan:My office. Now.
Seconds pass with no answer, and when the text disappears from my screen, I take it as a sign that Kasey is on her way.
It’s not even ten in the morning, and I’m already contemplating double homicide.
In true Kasey fashion, she doesn’t bother knocking. She throws the door open and strolls in.
“What?” she demands, one hand resting on her hip.
She’s wearing a more sensible outfit today: loose jeans and a plain tan T-shirt.
“Want to try that again?” I ask. “Where’s the respect we talked about yesterday?”
“I agreed to show respect in front of your men.” She makes a show of looking around the room. “I don’t see anyone else here.”
I take a step forward, then another. Just as I’d hoped, Kasey takes one step back, matching each of mine.
“No,” I say, just as her back hits the door, and she’s trapped against me.
Her breathing quickens, but she lifts her chin. “No?”
“No, I did not have a good morning.”
