“Should’ve told her at the end of the month,” Brew mutters.
She wags her finger at Brew. “Uh, uh, no you don’t, plus I’ll be busy training the new staff as well as recruiting, so I’d expect my raise to be quite substantial.”
Logan huffs a laugh. “Spoken like a true fuckin’ Nomad.”
“Maybe we need to add ‘and sisters’to the title?” I suggest. “The Nomad Brothers and Sisters — I think it has a ring to it.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up and get back to work,” Brew barks.
“I’ll email you the list of attributes for the new office recruits,” Haze says to Nova. “After you and Erica complete the interviews, you can create a shortlist of candidates and we’ll look it over.”
“Okay,” Nova says. “So, when does Chains start?”
They all groan at the same time as she stands, laughing. “You guys are so easy to wind up.” She finger waves as she leaves, and I try not to follow her with my eyes.
“I can tell she’s from your side of the family,” I say, thumbing behind me. “Never did see a woman with so much sass. She’s got every one of you by the shorts.”
“But not you, hey, brother?” Logan pats me on the shoulder.
“Hey, I’m just the middleman, lookin’ out for my bestie,” I say. “You know she’s gonna screw you guys for every penny of that raise.”
“We can afford it,” Haze says. And I agree with him there. The boys have been very generous with me, always appreciating what I do, and it shows. I’m not going anywhere.
Yes, when I think about Nova, I highly doubt any of them would appreciate what we’re doing. They know we’re friends, but they clearly don’t know about the kissing and touchy feely stuff. Would it be that bad if it was me?
I don’t know, because thinking like that is dangerous.
“Did you find out anythin’ more about that weasel Bobby?” Brew asks before I leave.
“Nope, but I’m still lookin’ into every aspect of his life. I’m still workin’ on the Directors’ file, too, but there isn’t much to go on. They’re ghosts.”
“Willow hasn’t said shit,” Haze says. “I know they’re doin’ what they can, but you know how slow things work over at the NOPD. If we can get one shred of who these assholes are, this could crack the entire network open.”
“Just when you think you’ve taken down the worst of Louisiana and beyond, another organization is happy to take its place,” Logan says, and he’s not wrong. That’sexactlylike it is.
“It’s exhaustin’,” Brew agrees, “but it’s what we have to do.”
“Well, you’ll be the first to know if anythin’ changes,” I say. “Is class dismissed?”
Brew tosses a balled up paper cup at me and I dodge it.
“I’ll take it, that’s a yes.”
CHAPTER
TEN
Nova
Well, today was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to get to work and then be offered a promotion and a raise. It’s cause for celebration. I buy a cheap bottle of bubbles to drink with Sawyer, and get all the ingredients for a quick and easy chicken casserole I’ve been wanting to make. While I’m far from a Gumbo expert and wouldn’t dare try to make it myself, given that Manny’s is the best in Louisiana, I want to make this meal a special occasion for Sawyer’s coming over. I buy some already made Tiramisu for dessert, and as soon as I put the groceries away, I begin, following the recipe for the casserole.
I check my watch, and by 7:30 when there’s no reply from Sawyer, I text him.
Me
Hey you. You know you don’t have to dress fancy for me, right?
I continue to stir the sauce, and when five minutes have gone by, I text again. He may be on his motorcycle because he hasn’t read the text.