Page 55 of Beneath the Light of the Moon
“It hasn’t been work related.”
Oh.“Well, that’s not unusual for him. I find him to be quite…what’s the word…uncouth.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this before I let him attend ashowing with a woman?”
A woman, huh?“I feel like there’s no right answer here, boss. I know just as much as you do, probably less honestly. I didn’t even know he’d been messaging someone.” A thought clicked into his head. “Speaking of which, how doyouknow he’s been talking to a client?”
Mikko huffed. “That’s not important.”
“Oh, but I think it is,” Cristiano’s neck was prickling. He knew his friend. “It’s the same woman who left the note on your motorcycle, isn’t it?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Don’t be coy with me, half the city owes you favors, and the other half you could buy,” Cristiano countered, knowing he was onto something. “And that thick ass manila folder on your desk had to contain something. What were the lab results?”
“While that may be true, I wouldn’t—”
“Oh, yousowould,” Cristiano practically shouted, his intuition screaming at him. “Iknewyou had a crush. So, tell me, who is she? Levi is a twat, and you can probably impress herwaymore than that dud of an agent could.”
“She’s not a crush, she’s aclient,”Mikko corrected.
“Perhaps, but if you’re two consenting adults…”
“Stop, it’s not going to happen. Besides, the company is consuming most of my time, especially now that Ivan is dead.”
“If you say so, boss. I won’t stop you, but when you’re ready to admit your feelings, I’ll be here.” Cristiano grinned. “I won’t even tell you ‘I told you so.’”
Mikko’s voice sounded farther away, like he’d stepped away to get something. “How generous of you.”
“Hey, my generosity is what gets me ahead in life. It’s what brought me to you after all.” It was meant to be a playful jab, but the way the words fell from his mouth felt more like an admission.
Shaking his head, Cristiano continued, “Regardless, if you change your mind, or want me to put itching powder in Levi’s underwear, I’ll do it. Just say the word.”
“I don’t want to even know how you thought of that, or why, but thank you…I think.”
Cristiano turned back to his closet. “Anytime.”
“I’m going to go for a ride to clear my head”—the telltale sound of his voice echoing in a parking garage confirmed his location—“but until I can completely clear her, Anika is dangerous and all of us should stay away from her.”
“Anika, huh?” Cristiano caught Mikko’s slip up. “So she has a name now?” It was a shame no one but his clothes could see his eyebrows wiggle.
“Forget about it,” Mikko’s motorcycle’s exhaust rumbled to life in the background, “just steer clear.”
“Of course, boss, wouldn’t want her meeting me before you now, would we? Might ruin your chances with her.”
He yearned to annoy Mikko farther, but the line went dead. “And people sayI’mthe dramatic one.”
19
Hopeful
Anika
Like a nasty case of toenail fungus, Levi wouldn’t go away.
She’d entered the lobby, a hopeful expression on her face when she didn’t see him at first. Maybe he’d gotten tired of waiting for her—it’d been almost an hour—and left. But she could never be so lucky. Just as she was about to rejoice, his lean frame materialized. He’d been sitting behind another group of employees in the lobby, but as he strode over to her, there was no denying his intent.
Levi was here for her, and he wouldn’t be deterred. Despite her previous unsavory attempts at persuading him to give up, Levi still clung to her like she was his lifeline. It didn’t matter if she was nice or mean or long winded with her answers or short. She even divulged gross personal details she’d hoped would deter him, but if anything it made him sidle closer.
