Razor's Edge Read Free Page A

of her, he was losing his ability to do good in the world, and that pissed Roxanne off more than her own failure.
    â€œI’m sorry, Bella. I should have realized Mary could have a partner.”
    â€œYes. You should have. So the question is, why didn’t you?”
    Roxanne considered giving her boss some lame excuse. She could come up with half a dozen that might help her cover her ass, but she couldn’t do that to Bella. They were friends. Bella trusted her, and she wasn’t going to screw that up by lying.
    Roxanne took a deep breath and admitted what she’d hoped she wouldn’t have to. “I’ve been distracted.”
    Bella crossed her arms over her chest and lifted a dark eyebrow. “Distracted? Care to elaborate on that?”
    â€œMy ex, Kurt, he’s been sending guys after me, having them follow me. I thought he’d stopped a few weeks ago, but I guess I was wrong. He’s not done with his games. A new man showed up yesterday, and I spent so much time losing him before I went in to do the job, I was rushed. I wasn’t completely focused.”
    Bella’s face darkened with rage, and her voice became lethally calm. “What, exactly, are these guys doing to you?”
    â€œNothing. They just watch me. Kurt was the jealous type, and even though we split three months ago, he apparently still hasn’t managed to accept the fact that we’re over.”
    â€œGive me Kurt’s address. I’ll go speak to him.”
    â€œNo, Bella. You’d only make things worse if you confront him. I already did, and he denies everything. I know he’s lying, and I told him I’d have him brought in for stalking if it happened again. I thought I’d gotten through, but either way, this is my mess. I’ll be the one to clean it up.”
    Bella glanced at Roxanne’s arm where the bruise from last night’s combat darkened her skin. “Did he hurt you, Razor?” she asked, her hands clenching to fists at her sides.
    â€œNo. It was nothing like that. He’s not a bad guy. He just didn’t want to let go.”
    â€œI could make him.”
    Roxanne had seen Bella mad. She’d seen the woman take down three armed men by herself. And she’d heard stories about that building Bella destroyed in Mexico a few months ago. But Roxanne had never seen this kind of steely, quiet rage so intense it vibrated through her entire body. She heard rumors that Bella had a dark past—one she never discussed with her employees—but seeing this kind of reaction made Roxanne wonder just what that past had been.
    â€œI’ve got it covered,” said Roxanne. “I’ll go see him today and make sure he quits playing these games.”
    Bella swallowed several times before her hands unclenched and the redness in her face abated. “I won’t have anyone hurting my people.”
    â€œKurt isn’t hurting me. He’s just jerking me around.”
    â€œAre you protecting him?”
    â€œNo. He’s an asshole for screwing with me like this, and I plan to tell him that to his face.”
    â€œI don’t like the way he’s treating you.”
    â€œNeither do I.”
    â€œHe interfered with your work, and I can’t let that slide.”
    â€œI know.” Roxanne let out a long, resigned breath. She loved her job, but she knew the score. A mistake like this was too big a thing to simply ignore. “Are you going to fire me?”
    Bella’s mouth flattened in frustration. “I should. That would certainly appease Mr. Chord. But no, you’re not fired. However, I’m not handing out any more chances, either. You blow it again, you’re out. Our work is too dangerous for distractions. You need to get your personal shit straightened out before I can assign you any more jobs.”
    â€œWhat about finding the guy who got away?”
    â€œThe cops are involved now. They’re looking into