Wicked as Lies (Wicked & Devoted #3) - Shayla Black Page 0,3
already signed the employment contract, so you know the rules.”
“I do. And I don’t think you have to worry about me ‘fraternizing’ with anyone on staff. I’m not ragging on anyone who’s gay, but hairy butts aren’t my thing.”
The colonel looked as if he suppressed a laugh. “I paid a lawyer for a boilerplate contract. He inserted that clause, but now that you point it out, I don’t see much of an issue with this crowd.”
“Probably not. Expectations I should be aware of, sir?”
“I don’t like bullshit. I expect ops to be run smart and clean. I expect you to follow orders…but I expect you to think for yourself if shit goes south and situations get hot. I hired all of you because you’re good at your respective roles and you’re smart.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And don’t ‘yes, sir’ me. I know your reputation.”
A rebel. A maverick. A big stick when shit needed stirring. He wasn’t surprised it had preceded him. “I can’t promise to be a perfect operator, but I can promise to be honest, do my best, and work for the collective good.”
“That’s all I can ask. Anything else we’ll figure out as we go.”
“Sounds good.” Zy snatched up the paperwork and finished the last of the coffee in his cup, wishing he had more.
“Dismissed. Get the hell out of here and start thinking about ways to make our clients safer.”
“You got it. Thank you,” he called as he left the office.
As he approached the coffee bar, tucking the paperwork under his arm, he found Trees stirring a little powdered creamer in his brew. “How did it go?”
“Good.” He refilled his mug and gulped half down, the fresh caffeine hitting his bloodstream feeling like pleasure. “Edgington doesn’t seem like a dictator.”
“He’s not, but he can be a hard-ass.”
No surprise there. Any boss worth their salt could be. “I gotta pick up some crap from Aspen, then I guess I’ll be doing paperwork today. What about you?”
“Reports for my last couple of jobs. I’m behind.”
“Sucks. I’d rather be out in the field.” Zy got itchy behind a desk.
“Same, buddy.”
After topping off his mug, Zy set it and the envelope on his desk, then headed to the front of the office. Aspen sat there, scowling at the computer screen in front of her, shoulder-length hair now wrapped in a messy bun and held up with a pencil.
“Hey,” he greeted, trying not to startle her.
Her head snapped up, and she lowered the lid of the laptop before plastering on a chipper smile. “Hi. I’ve been trying to get everything ready for you, but your computer is giving me fits. It will just be another few minutes. I’ll bring it to you.”
Given what Trees had said about Aspen’s abilities, he didn’t think that was a good idea. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it.”
“No, really. Let me. I need to fix this mess I made so I can learn how not to do it again.”
If she was only going to fill in here for another couple of weeks, why? “Seriously, it’s no problem. I’ll have it done in a few.”
“Please. This is so frustrating. If I figure it out, I’ll learn something.” She huffed. “I’m not stupid.”
“You’re not,” Zy placated, but if the woman wasn’t good with this kind of machinery, maybe she’d be better to take a step back. “But I have a lot of experience. How about you let me help?” He rounded the desk to stand beside her chair.
Aspen slammed her hand on the laptop lid. “I need to do this.”
The woman looked ready to cry, and Zy didn’t want to create drama on day one. “Okay, I’ll just stand here and whisper hints. How’s that?”
The woman let out a breath, looking as if she’d like to object. But when she studied him, she closed her mouth again. Yeah, he wasn’t budging, and that probably showed. “Fine. If you’ll just give me a minute to get back to the beginning…”
“Absolutely.” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall behind him. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
“I’d do better if you didn’t hover.”
Wow, she was touchy. “I’m not hovering. And I’m not judging, either. Just hanging out, looking at Trish’s pictures.”
“Tessa,” the woman automatically corrected.
“Yeah, that’s what I meant.” He lifted a silver-framed snapshot of a trio of smiling girls. Some embossed Greek letters underneath told him these might be sorority sisters. The brunette on the left was pretty, as was the redhead on the right. But the blonde