Page 24 of Things We Hide from the Light
“I’d prefer to see this through,” I said, digging in my heels.
“You know, there’s a position opening up in High Net Assets,” Daley said, casually dangling my dream job in front of me like it was a pair of sparkly Jimmy Choos.
“I heard rumors,” I said, my heart beating a little faster.
The High Net Assets department meant more travel, longer jobs, deeper cover, and bigger bonuses. It also meant more solo assignments. It was my big, scary goal and now here it was.
“Something to keep in mind. It’ll take someone with guts, someone who isn’t intimidated by dangerous situations, someone who isn’t afraid of being the best.”
“I understand,” I said.
“Good. If you change your mind about tomorrow, call me.”
“Will do.” I hung up and shoved my hands into the front pocket of Nash’s hoodie.
Part of me wanted to say yes. To get on a plane, dig into the intel, and find a way in. But the bigger, louder part of me knew I wasn’t prepared to lead a team. I’d proven that resoundingly.
And there was another smaller, barely audible part that was getting tired of shitty motels and endless hours of surveillance. The one that carried the mantel of guilt and frustration for an op gone wrong. The one that might be losing her edge.
FIVE
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SHOWER STAYS IN THE SHOWER
Nash
“Stop eatin’ the laundry, Pipe,” I called wearily from the kitchen floor. I was knee-deep in dead flower petals from the half dozen “sorry you got shot” floral arrangements people had sent during my recovery. It reminded me vaguely of my mom’s funeral.
The damn dog zoomed around the island, one of my clean socks hanging out of her mouth.
I was exhausted and exasperated.
I’d called the rescue in Lawlerville to see about dropping Piper off but was told they were full up after taking in a dozen pets displaced by a hurricane that had churned through Texas. I was welcome to try another shelter in DC they’d said. But after another couple of calls, all I’d gotten were more “sorry, we’re full” answers or warnings that dogs with medical issues or ones that didn’t get adopted out fast enough were at risk of being put down.
So here I was, the reluctant foster dad to a scruffy, anxiety-ridden mutt.
I could barely take care of myself. How in the hell was I supposed to take care of a dog?
We’d taken a field trip to the vet for a checkup, during which Piper had cowered behind me like the nice lady vet with treats was the devil. After her clean bill of health, we hit up Knockemout’s pet shop for some basic supplies. But owner and shrewd sales guy, Gael, had seen my dumb ass coming a mile away. One look at Piper’s happy little face when she found an entire aisle of stuffed animals and Gael had to put theBack in 15sign in the window to help me haul all my purchases home.
Fancy health food, gourmet treats, leashes with matching collars, toys, an orthopedic dog bed nicer than my own mattress. He’d even thrown in a freaking sweater thing to keep “Princess Piper” warm on walks.
Piper pranced over and gave a muffled bark through the sock and the stuffed lamb she’d managed to cram into her mouth.
“What? I don’t know what you want.”
She spit the lamb out on top of the pile of dead flowers.
I scrubbed my hands over my face. I wasn’t equipped for this. Case in point: My apartment.
It looked like Knox’s bedroom as a teenager. Smelled like it too. I hadn’t really noticed it until I’d noticed Lina and then Gael noticing.
So instead of plodding through paperwork at the station like I’d planned, I’d turned on a football game, opened the damn blinds, and got to work cleaning.
The dishwasher was on its third and final load. I had a Mount Everest of clean laundry to put away—if I could get the dog to stop stealing it. I’d attacked the layers of dust and sticky furniture rings, tossed weeks’ worth of moldy takeout, and even managed to order a small grocery delivery.
Piper kept me company as I washed, scrubbed, sorted, purged, and put away. She didn’t care much for the vacuumcleaner. But then I figured she didn’t have room to complain seeing as how up until that morning, she’d been living in a drain pipe.
She cocked her head and danced in place, her newly trimmed toenails tapping on the wood floor.
