Page 6 of Ride or Die

“You work for Nico Ricci?”

“That’s correct. I’m his assistant.” Executive assistant, technically, but she thought it sounded pretentious. She tapped the desk with unpainted nails. Nico was the CEO of Attivia Industries and several other companies, well-known in Cascadia—a successful entrepreneur.

She supposed a corporate admin assistant was a leap from the social worker she’d been when she and Andrew were together.

“How long have you—” he demanded and then caught himself a second time. “You know what, forget it. Doesn’t matter. You’re living your own life.”

Riley narrowed her eyes. “Is there something I can do for you, Andrew?”

“Yeah, not answering this phone, for starters,” he muttered. His footfalls were neat and controlled in the background. “Just have him come down to the station, okay? We have a few questions. He’s not in trouble.”

“CPD is just calling to catch up with an old friend?”

What entrepreneur didn’t get into hot water now and again? But Andrew didn’t investigate tax fraud… Maybe he’d changed departments.

“Riley.”

Andrew. She rolled her eyes. Nope, no change.

Riley pulled up the calendar. Nico Ricci was a busy man. He’d been in Italy for the last two weeks, meeting with international partners, and wasn’t due back for a few more days. But sure, she’d just ask him to go down to the station. In three months, when there was an opening. “I’ll do my best,” she said.

“You do that,” Andrew snapped, and then he sighed again. “Look, sorry. I wasn’t expecting to talk to you, today of all days. Just have him call me if he can’t make it in person. He can pick up the phone, at the very least. It’s important.”

Riley blinked. He’d apologized.

“Sure.” She grabbed a pen to make a note about meeting with the lawyers.

“Ri, you know—” She placed the note crooked as his voice hitched. “Forget it.”

Andrew rattled off his work number and hung up with an abruptness that rang louder than the phone had. Riley set the phone in its stand and wiped her hand on her pants. She straightened the note.

It was fine.

Out the window, the ocean beyond the light pollution was a black void.

Riley grabbed her phone out of the tote bag she’d wedged beside the filing cabinet.

Riley: Guess who just called

Kristi’s name flashed across the screen seconds later as the call came in.

“Who was it?”

Riley smiled at the lack of greeting. It was the first pact they’d made in middle school. Get to the point. They didn’t need greetings. They never had.

“Andrew.”

Kristi sucked in a breath and held it for a second. “Ah, dear old Andy. I thought you blocked his number.” He hated that nickname.

“I did. He called work. You up for drinks? I’m going to need one,” Riley said with the phone clamped between her cheek and shoulder. It was almost five o’clock anyway.

“Of course, babe. I’ll head over in a few. Just got to wrap up this file. Meet you out front?”

“Thanks, K. See you soon.” Riley hung up and put her phone away.

The security camera flashed where the wall and ceiling touched, and she thought she saw it move.

As soon as her student loans were paid, she’d look for a new job. Until then, she’d mind her own business, and everything would be fine.