FORTY-ONE

Devyn reached the office earlier than usual.

Talking to Gage always lifted her spirits, but cancelling another weekend with him for work, put her in a foul mood. She doubted Conroy would care if she asked to bail on D.C. In fact, he’d probably be relieved, but with Morgan attending the fundraiser, Devyn felt compelled to be there in case something did go wrong.

Logically there was no way Morgan could be in any danger while surrounded by so much security at the event, but when it came to Coterie, Devyn wouldn’t take any chances. Simply letting Morgan drive her to the hospital in Phoenix nearly cost Morgan her life.

“So, I hear you’re following Nick to D.C.” Gardner stated as Devyn approached his desk on her way across the room.

Devyn kept walking, hoping something or someone would distract Gardner before the situation escalated.

“Poor guy seems to have a stalker. Every time he leaves town, Devyn goes chasing after him.”

She stopped and turned to face him unable to resist the bait. “Gordo, Fitz, and I are providing support and gathering additional intel. Not my idea and I likely won’t even run into him while we’re there.”

“I bet Nick’s fiancée is getting tired of you clinging to him. No. She’s probably not too worried about a crazy woman with an imaginary boyfriend,” Gardner sneered.

Devyn tried to count to ten like Nick encouraged her to do but only made it to four when she decided she no longer cared what kind of disciplinary action she’d receive for giving him a fat lip. She couldn’t keep tiptoeing around him and altering her schedule to avoid him. She’d probably get suspended if she took a swing at him, but at least administrative leave would give her an opportunity to go and be with Gage at his peaceful horse property in Wyoming.

She took two steps toward him, and Gardner bolted out of his chair, clearly surprised she intended to confront him. Devyn closed half the distance between her and Gardner, fists clenched, ready for battle.

Gordo jogged up and inserted himself between her and Gardner. “Hey, Devyn, do you have a minute now to go over the equipment list we’re taking with us to D.C.?”

“Can it wait?”

“No.” He guided her away from Gardner. “Not only do we need to prep the gear for transport, but if you deck Gardner, Conroy probably won’t let you go, and Nick will be unhappy if Conroy sends someone else.”

As Devyn let the young man herd her back toward the elevator, her anger cooled. He was right, if she humiliated Gardner in front of everyone again, he would, no doubt, file a complaint against her. He was probably hoping she would take a swing at him in front of so many witnesses so she would get some sort of disciplinary action, or worse, be forced to attend anger management training.

“Thanks,” Devyn said. “The satisfaction I would have gotten from wiping that smug look off his face with my fists would have been short lived. I can’t let him get to me. He’s not worth the effort”

“To tell you the truth, I was tempted to let it play out. He’s such a jerk to the new young agents and most of the tech staff. He constantly tries to intimidate and embarrass them. There are few things I would enjoy more than watching blood spurt out of his nose. In the end, I guess I couldn’t let you get in trouble for doing something we all want to do but are too afraid to try.”

“Man, at times like this, I do wish I was a decade younger. You’re ten times the man than Gardner ever will be.”

“You’re just saying that.” Gordo blushed.

“I seldom say anything I don’t mean.”

“If things don’t work out with your guy, think you’ll ever consider becoming a cougar?”

“Stranger things have happened,” Devyn replied as she gave him a wink and pushed the button for the elevator.