Page 117 of Devilish Debt
“Eso me parece más sexy de lo que probablemente debería.”
“Or…maybe youshouldfind that even sexier than you currently do.”
“Now’s not exactly the right time for that.”
“I don’t know that it’s thewrongtime.” Unbending the small piece of metal to take the shape I actually need precedes me adding, “I may be bias-”
“May?”
“But it’s always a good time to tell a person how much they turn you on.”
The skeptical glare I’m shot is attached to a slow headshake.“No.It isn’t.”
“Disagree.”
“Middle of a possible homicide or suicide mission isnotthe right time, Salay.”
“Perfect time, Victor.” Leaning down to carefully align the metal with the tiny hole occurs.“Life and death situations always have a tendency to make people the most honest or the most reciprocal to honesty.”
“Courts have slightly different views on that…” There isn’t time for a rebuttal.“And let’s not call me Victor.”
“Why?” Gently moving around the object in search of the release mechanism is accompanied by further poking.“It’s your name.”
“It is, however-”
“Your legal name.”
“I-”
“The name I bet your parents call you.”
“It’s just not the name I want you calling me.”
“Zero?”
“Him either.”
“Why not?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Why are you avoiding?”
“Why aren’t you focusing?”
“Who says I’m not?” Another wiggle slightly to the left is executed.“Has is it ever occurred to you Victor-”
“Purposely provoking me.”
“You love it,” I offhandedly brush off.
“I do.”
“Now, has it ever occurred to you that maybe I need the noise, the conversation, the force of multitasking,” feeling a small catch freezes my action, “in order to concentrate?That the sound of your voice talking to me – even about bullshit – is actually helpful.” Success over my touch search leads to me readjusting the metal to push the button.“That the only place I prefer silence or find true comfort in silence is when I’m in or under water?” The door unlocks prompting me to smugly peer up.“And we’re free.”
“From the room.”
“Still a victory, Counselor.”
