Page 43 of Back in the Country

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HANK:Will you fucks stop texting so Waylon will actually get some work done today?

WAYLON:fuck off

OTTO:Is that a brotherly quarrel or a workplace violence situation?

CASE:If Hank murders you I’ll be pissed because I’ll have to find someone to replace you but it’s not like I’m going to stop him

OTTO:You can’t replace me!

CASE:I could totally replace you

OTTO:That hurts like way down deep man

OTTO:(broken heart emoji)

SORREN:Aren’t you guys standing next to each other?

OTTO:…

CASE:…

SORREN:Just keep Marlee busy

OTTO:This isn’t amateur hour

CASE:Your lack of faith in us is appalling.

SORREN:Oh for fuck’s sake

OTTO:Is it fuck’s or fucks?

I lookup from my phone to see Hank with an amused smirk on his face as he hovers in the doorway. It’s completely at odds with the attitude he’s been sending my way all morning.

“What?”

He shrugs.

“Just wondering how long you’re going to not tell Sorren that you’re dating his sister.”

That is an excellent question and one I do not have an answer for.

“I’m going to tell him.”

“You should.”

“He’s had enough going on without me adding to it.”

Hank snorts and it is so unlike him. The fucker is enjoying my discomfort.

“I think it’s funny.”

“Of course you do,” I growl before turning back to all the work I am not going to accomplish today.

My phone continues to vibrate as more than twenty-five unread messages light up on my screen.

“Don’t you have work to do?” I bark.

He raises a single eyebrow and crosses his arms over his chest. I am man enough to admit that in a fight, Hank would definitely kick my ass. Prison aside, he is just a big dude. Speaking of prison…

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