The Reed Security Relationship Manual: A Reed Security Romance, Giulia Lagomarsino [acx book reading .txt] 📗

that the kitchen fire was intentional and there are really mobsters after someone. They’ll surround us, forcing us back into the restaurant so they can get paid. I’ll have my weapon on me, so when I find the right moment, I’ll take them all out and save my lady love. Right?

Giulia: Um…wow. Where to start with that… First, she wasn’t impressed at the coffee shop when you shot a bunch of people, so maybe that’s not a good idea.

Craig: Right.

Giulia: And, if you shot out the windows and pushed her out the window, why would you then give in to mobsters when you have a gun? Why wait until you get back into the restaurant?

Craig: I can see your point.

Giulia: And if there are a bunch of mobsters there, you’ll be outgunned. I think you’re more likely to get yourself shot, and you’ve already had enough of that in the short time you’ve known Reese.

Craig clears his throat.

Craig: So, what you’re saying is that my idea is shit.

Giulia: I’m saying that you should do everything up until the point that you have to shove Reese through a window. And Craig, unless you start the fire, there’s no guarantee that would happen anyway.

A grin splits his lips and he points at me.

Craig: Giulia, I like the way you think.

Craig gets up and walks out.

Giulia: Craig, wait! I wasn’t suggesting you start a fire! Crap, I need to get ahold of Cap.

Rocco

Giulia: Hey, Rocco.

Rocco: Alright, where is he?

Giulia: Uh…who?

Rocco: Knight.

Giulia: He’s not here. This is your interview.

Rocco: The next time I see him, I’m killing him. I don’t give a shit what he just went through. He’s gone too far this time.

Giulia: What did he do?

Rocco: He put a shock bracelet on Evie.

Giulia: What’s a shock bracelet?

Rocco: He gave her a perimeter to walk around the house. If she goes outside the perimeter, she gets shocked like a fucking dog.

Giulia: Well, can’t you take it off?

Rocco: No! He has some special lock on it, and he said that he can loosen up the restrictions, but he won’t remove it.

Giulia: How did this even happen?

Rocco: Evie was at the barbecue, and she ran out toward the tank when Alec pulled in. Knight got on my ass about it and said that if I wasn’t going to keep an eye on my kid, he would do it for me.

Giulia: Wow, that’s harsh.

Rocco: No shit. And he’s still monitoring my house. Brooke is fucking pissed. You know, he pops in throughout the day just to check and make sure that Evie is okay with her?

Giulia: Well, he’s always been there for you and Evie.

Rocco: Giulia, I have the only house that Knight can slip in and out of without anyone knowing. He can spy on us at any time. Hell, the ladies still turn on the Rocco channel whenever they’re bored. Do you know what that’s like to never know if your dick is going to be on camera?

Giulia: I can’t say I do.

Rocco: Well, it sucks. And he’s even worse now.

Giulia: Why?

Rocco: Because…because I’m trying to get Brooke pregnant.

Giulia: Wow. I thought she didn’t want kids?

Rocco huffs.

Rocco: She doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving in. I told Knight not to turn off the cameras just so I could keep an eye on her throughout the day. You know, so I could judge what night was Go Night.

Giulia: Go Night?

Rocco: You know, the night that I use my best moves to persuade her to have a baby.

Giulia: So, you still have the cameras rolling when you’re having sex?

Rocco: Yeah, like I could actually convince Knight to shut them off at specific times.

I pull out my phone and start texting.

Rocco: What are you doing?

Giulia: Texting Knight.

Rocco: Why?

Giulia: So I can get the footage. For research, of course.

Rocco: I wasn’t— I wasn’t serious!

Giulia: Well, now you have me curious.

Rocco: You know, I came to you for help, not so you could join everyone else in watching me fuck my woman.

Giulia: Hmmm, that’s an interesting idea. All the men of Reed Security on TV for my own personal enjoyment.

Coop

Coop: Thanks, Giulia. I really fucking hate being here today, but Cap made me do it.

Giulia: Well, since I wrote your character, you really have no choice in the matter.

Coop: Yeah, I really appreciate that. *eye roll*

Giulia: So, Coop, how are things going with Becky now? Do I hear wedding bells in the future?

Coop: Yeah, but you're not invited.

Giulia: That makes me kind of sad.

Coop: Yeah, I'm in tears over here.

Giulia: Will Hunter be officiating?

Coop: That's highly unlikely. You've seen the way he fucks up a ceremony.

Giulia: But it's tradition...

Coop: So is Christmas, but not everyone celebrates.

Giulia: Okay then. So, how do you feel about your entire life being put on display for all these readers?

Coop: Yeah, that's another thing I want to talk to you about. I didn't ask for you to talk about all the shit I've been through.

Giulia: Well, if I didn't talk about it, nobody would be reading my books, and then you wouldn't exist. In fact, you all threatened to come to my house and convince me to not kill any of you off. I have the pages that were written by one of my readers.

Coop: Can you blame us for wanting to stay alive?

Giulia: Exactly my point. So, if you want to stay relevant at Reed Security, you're going to have to open up and tell us all about how you're feeling. Now's your chance.

Coop: Look, I'm not gonna grab a Shirley Temple and tell you all about how I'm feeling. I'm pretty sure we've already done this in the book. If you want to know what happens, read the fucking book. I don't really need to rehash my assholery with all of you here today.

Giulia: Speaking of which, I have one last question, Coop.

Coop: I'm on the edge of my seat.

Giulia: So, this new bromance with Chance, are we going to see more of this in future books?

Coop: First of