Hero by Julia Sykes Page A

And it was Kennedy’s call. He says it’s okay, so it is.”
    “I’ll keep her safe, Dex,” Sharon promised, her prickliness dropping. She obviously wanted to diffuse the situation now that Smith was sticking his nose in. None of us appreciated being the focal point of his gossip.
    “Fine,” I caved, eager to escape Smith’s scrutiny. “I trust you, Sharon.”
    I might not like it, but I’d rather not get involved. I’d resolved to put Chloe in my past. If she insisted on being in my present, I would just have to cope. I could focus on my own work and let Sharon deal with her.
    Smith sighed. “Must you always be so stoic, Dex? Things were just getting interesting.”
    “Sorry to ruin your fun,” I said drily. “I need to get to work. Excuse me.”
    I brushed past the trio without another glance in Chloe’s direction.
    Go to work. Do some good. Go to Decadence. Fuck someone. Repeat.

5
    Chloe
    “ I s he always like that ?” I asked as I watched Dex stalk away. Even in a suit, his bulk was impossible to hide. He’d been just as intimidating in the FBI field office as he had been bare-chested in Decadence. It had taken all my willpower to maintain cool composure when he was facing me down. Although I knew he was concerned about my safety, I couldn’t help being annoyed at him for trying to put an end to my investigation into the Latin Kings before it had even begun. He obviously thought subs were fragile creatures who needed to be protected.
    I never should have submitted to him.
    “No,” Sharon answered, her eyes curious as her gaze followed his retreating form. “Dex is usually really nice. It’s not like him to go all alpha-male-bossy like that. Smith fills that role around here.”
    “Are you saying I’m not nice?” Smith gave her a sharp grin.
    “I’m saying you can be an imperious douchebag,” she informed him with a teasing smile.
    He laughed, the rich sound booming through the office. “Now who’s not being nice? Should I tell Derek how rude you’re acting?”
    She scoffed. “You know he won’t punish me for holding my own at the office. He wants me to put you in your place. You’re insufferably cocky otherwise.”
    “I’ll take that as a compliment. Insufferably cocky is kind of my thing.”
    “I can’t wait to kick your ass next time we spar,” Sharon said with a sweet smile. “Your ego needs deflating.”
    “My ego’s the exact size I like it. And it can handle more than a few hits from you.”
    “James, Silverman,” Kennedy barked out from behind us. We all turned to find him stepping out of the elevator. His hazel eyes fixed on them with disapproval. “This is the FBI field office, not a garden party. Stop loitering and get to work.”
    Smith gave him a sardonic salute. “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”
    Kennedy rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why I don’t fire you.”
    “Because you’d be miserable without me, boss. You love me, really.”
    Kennedy snorted. “Go get me more intel on the Moreno case, and I’ll consider keeping you on the task force. Unless you’d prefer to do paperwork on wrapping up the Alicia Camden case?”
    Smith shuddered. “Paperwork is cruel and unusual punishment. I’ll go back to the Moreno investigation.”
    “Good. Silverman,” Kennedy turned his attention back to Sharon. “Clayton needs your help dealing with an informant in Brighton Beach. I suggest you go do that now before I put you on the Camden case.”
    “We’re leaving now, sir,” she said quickly. “Come on, Chloe.” She stepped around her boss and waved for me to follow.
    “Have fun, ladies,” Smith called after us as the elevator doors closed.
    “How can you stand that?” I asked once we were alone. “Talking about punishment when you’re at work? Don’t the Doms annoy you with their attitudes?”
    Sharon herself had casually owned up to being a sub, and it had taken effort to conceal my surprise that she would make reference to her D/s relationship in her