The Reed Security Relationship Manual: A Reed Security Romance - Giulia Lagomarsino (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

Giulia: Okay, that should be fine for this interview.

Knight: Second, Whatever the fuck you think you’re going to do here, it’s not gonna happen. I play by my rules and no amount of you thinking something else is going to happen will change that.

Giulia: So, all my questions…

Knight: Pointless.

Giulia: Gotcha.

Knight: Three, if you ever put me in the position again where my wife is taken, I’ll slip into your house at night and slit your throat.

I swallow hard and nod slightly.

Giulia: Okay. Anything else?

Knight: Yeah, I have a few ideas about how to get my revenge on some of the guys.

Giulia: For what? I’m pretty sure no one’s ever done anything that you would need to get revenge for.

Knight: The spa.

I think back, trying to remember what he’s talking about when it hits me.

Giulia: The waxing.

Knight: You’re fucking right. That was a low blow, and I don’t appreciate people disrespecting me like that.

Giulia: But, it wasn’t me. Hunter made me do it. He said he had some information on you about something that happened while you were in the military.

Knight: And if that ever comes out-

Giulia: You’ll slit my throat.

Knight: Exactly. I’m glad we understand each other.

I nod once, letting him know that I perfectly understand him.

Knight: Well, I think this was productive, don’t you?

I look down at my notes and see all my unanswered questions as I hear Knight storming away. I crumple up the paper and toss it behind me. That was a wasted interview.

Irish

Derek walks into my head in a Superman costume with Claire close behind in a Wonder Woman costume.

Giulia: I thought I might just get an interview with Derek.

Derek: Try telling her that. For some reason, she thought if she came along, there would be an explosion or a kidnapping.

Giulia: Is that why you’re wearing the costume?

Derek: Why don’t you ask yourself that. You’re imagining all of this.

Giulia: Well, I do like the look of you in a Superman costume.

Claire: I know. He looks great. I make him wear it to bed all the time.

Giulia: If he wears it to bed, how do you have sex?

Claire: I put in snaps at the crotch. You know, like you have on onesies for babies.

I look to Derek and try not to laugh.

Derek: Shut the fuck up. I will end you.

Giulia: Ooh, you’re really scaring me. Now, if you were Knight, I might be scared by that.

Derek: Hey, I am way scarier than that asshole.

Giulia: I don’t know. He’s not just scary looking. He’s also deadly.

Claire: Hey, that’s not fair. Derek took out fifteen men when we were in the forest. And that was after he fought off all those guys in the library. And a bookcase fell on top of him.

Giulia: Yeah, but he also laughs.

Claire: That’s true.

Giulia: And he doesn’t threaten to kill everyone around him.

Claire: I guess.

Giulia: And he’s never purposely broken the law.

Derek: Hey, I’ve broken the law plenty of times.

Giulia: Sorry, I was talking to Claire.

Derek: Seriously, I’m sitting right fucking here. It’s like you’re purposely trying to emasculate me.

Giulia: I could never do that. I mean, besides putting you in costumes all the time.

Derek: Which I would like to ask that you not do that during The Cortell Brothers. I mean, it’s bad enough that all my imaginary friends see me this way. Is it too much to ask that my imaginary brothers don’t see me like this? I’ll catch so much shit from them.

Giulia: But, if I don’t have you do this at least once, none of the readers will remember how awesome you were in your book. This is a reminder for them.

Derek: Yeah, but can’t you do something cooler? Like, have me fight off twenty men with one arm tied behind my back. Or I could get in a gun battle and almost die. Then Claire would be at my beck and call for weeks on end.

Giulia: Yeah, that sounds fun, but we’ve had enough close calls in this series. I think for the next one, we’ll keep it nice and simple. Besides, after talking with Cazzo, I really think that’s for the best.

Derek: Wait, you discussed my brothers’ series with Cazzo?

Giulia: Yes.

Derek: Well, of course that asshole is going to put thoughts in your head.

Giulia: Nobody puts thoughts in my head. I make all the decisions around here.

Derek: Sure, until he points out something that you don’t like.

Giulia: Just trust me. I did pretty good with your book. I found you a hot woman with a personality and I made sure that your book was fun and action-packed. You’re just going to have to trust me.

Derek: Trust you? You had me say stupid shit to her when we met. It could have ruined everything. I told her that she had thick thighs!

Giulia: Yes, but then I made you the most irresistible man there ever was. I put you in a Superman costume.

Derek: Hey, not just anyone can wear this costume. You have to earn this.

I lean forward and give him my deadliest look.

Giulia: I gave you that suit, and I can take it away in the blink of an eye.

Claire gulps audibly and starts yanking Derek out of his chair.

Claire: Derek, let’s leave before she tries to rip it off you right now.

Derek stands slowly, doing his best to intimidate me. Unfortunately, it just makes my knees go weak.

Derek: This isn’t over, Giulia. I’ll be waiting for you one night, and we’ll see how much you like having your life played with.

I sigh and rest my head in my hand as he walks off. If only he would visit me one night.

Hunter

Hunter walks into the room and winks at me before taking a seat.

Hunter: Giulia, it’s good to finally meet you face to face.

Giulia: Well, I’m glad that you are excited to be here.

Hunter chuckles.

Hunter: Yeah, that’s not what I said. I have a bone to pick with you.

Giulia: Okay, over what?

Hunter: What’s with you making me a fucking