Champ’s nostrils flared. “We all know that’s the case regardless.”
Riggs reached over and patted Champ’s shoulder. “We don’t know his reasons. They could have something on him.”
Champ shook his head. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Riggsy, but that wouldn’t excuse him taking the low road instead of going to his agency for help. People are dying from the illegal drug trade, and if there’s anyone who knows how bad the effects are, it’s a trained DEA agent.”
“Do we know why Vince is on leave from the DEA? And, if not, can we find out?” Riggs asked.
“The most I could find out from my sources is that he requested personal time.” I shrugged. “I’ll put out some feelers to see what excuse he’s using, at least.”
Riggs nodded.
When my phone buzzed a fourth time, I pulled it out to see Kev’s messages.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: Did I mention I relocated my mermen into your Nymph Preserve? I sense a population boom coming. You’re welcome.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: Also, Rodrigo says he likes me best.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: Yes, I speak bunny. I’m multi-talented.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: Rodrigo says he wishes to wear a bowtie and tiny sweater vest, and to pose for a classy photo shoot. *shrug* I don’t make the rules, Huxley.
I repressed a flare of amusement and powered my phone off. Kevin Rogers was the most annoying human on earth… and I didn’t want to think about why I felt lighter after reading his texts.
“Okay, so we’re agreed?” Champ glanced at each of us in turn. “We’re meeting with Jacob Horn tomorrow, and we’re going to tell him what we know—and that we’re turning the information over to the government so they can do an official investigation?”
We all nodded, some of us more reluctantly than others.
I felt a wave of affection for the teammates I considered my family. They were a bunch of assholes sometimes, but when the chips were down, we were all committed to doing the right thing…
Even Kev.
I couldn’t help but pull my phone out one more time and shoot Kev a message back.
Me: No bowties. Sweater vests are fine, but nothing around his neck.
He didn’t hesitate.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: Deal. I hadn’t thought of that.
And only because he said that, only because he admitted I might know something he didn’t, did my ego finally allow me to send the text I should have sent an hour ago.
Me: I need you to tell me how you infiltrated my systems this morning.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: Dude. I tried to tell you earlier.
I rolled my eyes. Of course he had to say his I-Told-You-So’s. Honestly, I’d have done the same.
Grudgingly, I typed back:
Me: You did. And I should have listened. But I need to know our vulnerabilities in order to keep Champion Security safe.
KevTheAnnoyingOrcHoarder: I know. So bring me a big cheesecake brownie on your way down here and I’ll show you.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the sofa. The other guys were standing and stretching, grabbing half-empty coffee mugs from the table, and wandering out of the room.
“Hey.” Riggs kicked my foot with the toe of his boot. “You okay?”
I straightened in my seat. “Yeah. Good.” Aside from struggling to admit that a full-time couch potato—an elitist child—could possibly know more about cybersecurity than I did, I was peachy.
“Look…” Riggs hesitated. “I know you and Kev are like oil and water. And I told myself I wasn’t gonna interfere—”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Then don’t.”
“—but the guy is family now.”
“Pfft. Your family.”
“Our family,” he countered. “Part of the Champion Security family. And I know he can be shy and awkward—”
“I think you mean diabolical and evil.”
“—but he’s a good person. I care about him. He’s like a little brother to me now. So, I don’t give a shit if you trash-talk each other or get into a steel cage death match in the game—”
I snorted.
“—but in real life, maybe you could try to get along.”
Riggs took one look at my pursed lips and narrowed eyes and held up his hands in surrender. “And now I’m going back to not interfering.”
I rolled my eyes. Too little, too late. “Did your new husband put you up to this?”
“What? No, Huxley. Believe it or not, I’m still capable of having my own thoughts and opinions.”
My disbelief must’ve shown on my face because it was Riggs’s turn to roll his eyes. “I can’t wait for you to actually fall in love someday. I’m going to laugh my ass off.”
I pushed myself to my feet. “Well, no danger of that happening anytime soon, big guy. Tell Carter your ass is plenty safe.”
Riggs blushed—literally blushed—which was so unlike him that I had to smother a smile as I turned and left. But as I stalked down to Kev’s lair, I found myself gritting my teeth as I replayed the conversation.
Me? Try to get along with Kevin? Yeah, no. Kev needed to stop invading my work, invading my thoughts, and then we’d get along just fine. The man spent all day in his basement lair, challenging other full-time gamers to quests while the rest of us worked our asses off to support ourselves and try to improve the world around us in some way.