gets in her eyes. He also isn’t known to use people, either.”
“True. Devlin is yours. I don’t have any say over her, just Levi. Are you taking her down, or not? And who do you have in mind to replace her? The guys won’t appreciate being left hanging like that. I know they didn’t completely like her and all, but Levi can’t handle two squads like that.”
Lucian scrubbed a hand over his face, shaking his head. “I can’t think of anyone that could handle that group of men. I put Devlin on them because I knew she’d keep them in line, or at least they would listen to her out of fear. They’re too rough. Levi was great for it because of how much he just...yeah. You know?”
Talon had to laugh, nodding and sitting up in his chair straighter. “I know. Maybe you can put a temp. on and just see how it goes?”
“I honestly don’t think that’s the best thing to do. I mean, those guys are fucking insane when they get started. Trained and skilled, but insane. I would replace them if they weren’t so valuable.”
“You sure Levi wouldn’t be able to handle them?”
Lucian nodded. “I’m sure. And I’m not psycho enough to put my dick on the line for them. And I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to convince you to, would I?”
He laughed in a short burst. “Hell no. So Devlin, for sure, is being taken off.”
Lucian tentatively nodded his head, eyes trained on the table. “Yeah. I can’t risk it anymore. I’ll let her stay here, but she won’t have any say in things. I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t poison my drink or something,” he groaned, taking his feet off of the dark oak wood table.
Talon agreed.
Devlin was cunning, ruthless, and greedy. She hid it well enough, and while Talon admired a strong woman who could take care of herself and meet her goals, Devlin took it too far. It was one of the reasons Talon had disliked her straight from the beginning. Sometimes, when they held meetings, he would look over and see her watching Lucian with more than a ‘yeah, I’m listening’ face. No, it was pure greed, and damn if that didn’t make him weary. He had a feeling that it wasn’t for his friend's body -- no, it was for the power he had. Other than the king, Lucian was one of the most powerful beings that Talon had ever come across. Even more powerful than the only witch he had ever met. And that was saying something, he thought with a grimace.
He hadn’t met her in this life, but he remembered her. Barely. She was important for a reason, but whatever it was alluded him. He shrugged it from his mind, focusing on his friend.
“If you don’t wake up tomorrow, I’ll make sure to feed your cat for you,” Talon said, laughing. Lucian gave him the meanest look ever before narrowing his eyes.
“She likes catnip sprinkled on top. Don’t forget that. And in the morning with a full spoonfull. That’s it. Too much and she’ll get fatter than she already is.”
Talon chuckled, standing. “Alright, I’ll remember that. When do I take her on walks?” he asked. He pushed open the door and called for Jessica, telling her to ring up Devlin.
“Wednesdays and Sundays. Too much and she gets antsy and will claw my carpet.”
Talon turned and stared at him. “I was kidding, you know.”
“I’m not.”
He wiped a hand over his face, a little freaked out. “Okay, then...”
There was a knock at the door. Talon sat down and bid them to enter, not surprised that Devlin had came so fast. Lucian lost all emotion as he watched her enter, hand on her holster.
“What did you need?” she asked, before pausing just inside of the room. He wondered if she could tell what was going to happen -- going by the look that entered her eyes, she had a vague idea.
“Devlin, sit down.” Lucian took the lead, gesturing to a chair for her.
Her face was hard as she sat. She crossed her arms over her chest while she looked between them, Talon with his hands lazily on his legs, Lucian with his arms crossed, leaning back in the his chair. While the pose might have been casual, the tension he radiated was definitely not.
Talon almost felt bad for her. Almost. She had had this coming for a while now, and it was for the best that she get put down.