I knew this from experience. We shared a few classes together in school, and I got stuck on some projects with her. She’d actually skipped a few grades. Her parents are even pretty close with mine, so she was around a lot. But she normally favored hanging out with Penelope over me. She’s damn smart. She’s probably smarter than her father. They’re always on the computer together, and I bet it would be easy for her to pick up where he left off.

“Are you in a relationship?” Royce asks, catching me off guard.

I was sure he was going to ask me more about Echo, but he doesn’t really seem to care about work. All his questions are about me. That reminds me that I need to look into him, too. I did a soft check on him when Henry mentioned him, but I trust Henry. He wouldn’t bring him on if he didn’t think it was for the best. I always trust Henry’s instincts because they’re always spot on. Plus, the Davenport name is known around town. Royce comes from old family money. Probably thinks he can do and say anything he wants. I’ve meet a lot of men like him. It’s why, when I first meet new men I’ll be working with, I’m firm so they don’t think they can get something over on me.

Leaning over, I reach out and shut Royce’s taco box. I pick it up and place his box on top of my box, then stack my churros on top of that.

“You just lost your tacos,” I tell him.

I pick up my sunglasses, slide them back onto my face, and then grab the food. He can track me down when he actually wants to talk about work.

He chuckles as I walk away. Then I’m almost sure I hear something about it not being the tacos that he’s after.

Chapter Four

CHAPTER 4

Royce

“You sure you’re up for this tonight?” Ezra asks from the couch.

“Leave him alone. Rolly’s got this. Right?” Donovan gives me a worried look, but I shake both of them off.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you two were starting to get soft on me.”

“Pffft. After seeing that sweet little redhead you were talking to today, I’ve been nothing but hard,” Ezra chimes in and winks at me.

I throw the remote at his head before he sees it coming, hitting him right between the eyes.

“Dude!” he shouts, and rubs the spot where it connected. “I’m sorry, okay? Don’t mess up the moneymaker.” He takes out his phone and looks into the camera to inspect the damage.