Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

trying very hard not to break out into gales of laughter.
“My apologies. Please continue.”
If he were standing in front of me right now, I’d kick his
arrogant ass six ways to Sunday.
“If this is going to work, you have to promise me
something right here and now. Promise it and mean it.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t ever lie to me.”
He sounds insulted. “I’ve already told you I wouldn’t.”
“Tell me again. Because lying is a dealbreaker for me.”
His exhalation is slow and heavy. I can almost hear him
rolling his eyes.
“I can’t tell you everything, even if I wanted to. There are
other people’s lives at risk. But if I can answer a question, I
will. I won’t deliberately withhold information for no reason…
but there will be more holes than you’ll like.”
“And that’s fair. That’s understandable. Just don’t ever lie
to me, Kage. If you want me to trust you, I need to know
you’ll tell me as much of the truth as you can.”
He says softly, “I hear you.”
“So we’re agreed?”
“Yes.”
I stretch my neck and blow out a breath. “Okay. I’ve got to
hang up now.”
“Why?”
“I’m late for work.”
“You don’t have to work anymore, if you don’t want to.”
I laugh. “Oh, really? Did I win the lottery or something?”
He chuckles. “Or something. You won me.”
Wait. He’s actually serious. I stop laughing and frown.
“Let me get this straight. You’re telling me that after sleeping