Page 111

“You’re just brushing this off like it’s nothing.” I was too worked up to care that I was almost yelling at my boss. “Something could be wrong and you’re acting like it’s no big deal.”

“Uh, no, you’re just massively overreacting to the colleague you don’t even really like having a weekend off, which is seriously fucking weird.”

I scowled at him, my face hot. “Then just give me his address and I’ll shut up.”

Holt spluttered in exasperation. “I can’t give you his fucking address, Vince! Would you want me to give anyone yours?”

“Okay.” Taylor stepped forward, holding up his hands, his brow creased with worry. “I think we’re all tired and a little stressed. This isn’t helping anything.”

“He started it,” Holt said petulantly.

“Holt will call Crossbody first thing in the morning to make sure he’s alright. Okay, Vince?”

“I just told you he’s not answering,” I gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Maybe he’s not answering because it’s you,” Holt muttered sulkily, inspecting his fingernails.

That made tendrils of insecurity creep into my gut, which made me even angrier.

“Holt,” Taylor said sternly. “Vince just told us their relationship has improved. And we can see it for ourselves, if Vince is this… concerned.” He offered me a wary smile.

“Make sure you fucking call him, Holt,” I said tersely. “First thing. He’s been loyal to you for six years. Show some fucking loyalty back.”

Holt gasped. “What the fuck?! I am loyal! I’m so loyal to all of you. How the hell is letting him take the weekend off without a fuss not being loyal? It makes me a great boss!”

“No, making sure he’s okay and that there’s nothing wrong would make you a great boss,” I gritted out. “Right now you’re just being an asshole.”

“I’m, like, ninety percent sure you definitely shouldn’t speak to your boss that way,” Holt said doubtfully, then looked at Taylor. “Right?”

Taylor made a strangled sound. “It’s… inadvisable. But I think Vince is just concerned about his… colleague, and we’re all tired, and it’s already been a long weekend, so let’s just cool off and revisit this in the morning. We’ll call Crossbody first thing and let you know how it goes. Okay?”

“And if he doesn’t answer, then what?” I shot back immediately.

Holt groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Vince, you are such a stubborn little shithead.”

“Don’t call your employees shitheads, honey,” Taylor said quietly.

“If he doesn’t show up tomorrow or answer the phone,” Holt said, giving me a stern look, “then I’ll… I don’t know, send Seb to check on him. Okay?”

“If Seb can know his address, why can’t I?”

“Oh my god.” Holt groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Vince, seriously.”

“It just seems like you’re not giving it to me out of spite.” My face was hot and my breathing too fast.

Holt stared at me incredulously. “No, it’s because it’s private fucking information, and if Crossbody wanted you to have his address, he would’ve given it to you himself.”

I snapped my mouth shut with a scowl, breathing hard, because I couldn’t really argue with that.

He’d specifically not answered my text asking for it.

“We’ll call him,” Taylor told me in an overly soothing voice. “And Seb will go check on him, if need be. You should go home and get some sleep, Vince.”

I knew I was going to struggle to sleep, but I also knew that I was getting nowhere right now. Holt always got grouchy when he was tired, and I’d already riled him up.

Shit. I’d called my boss an asshole. Twice.

“Sorry for calling you an asshole and a shitty boss,” I forced myself to mutter. “You’re not.”