Barnaby was baffled.


    "It''s best to avoid that kind of ce," he mused, "It''s downright dangerous."


    Ss chimed in, “Because your mouth''s just as annoying as Finley''s."


    Barnaby was stunned. "Whoa, hold on! That''s harsh, huh? What did I ever do to you?"


    Ss shrugged. "You didn''t do anything to me. But you sure ticked off the boss."


    "Wait, what? When did that happen? Howe nobody told me?" Barnaby waspletely lost.


    Ss simply shook his head in exasperation. Barnaby was clearly not getting it.


    Barnaby squinted at him, "Oh, you mean those little things? Seriously, is it really that big of a deal?"


    "Those ''little things'' almost got Finley drowned in the sea," Ss pointed out.


    Barnaby''s eyes widened, recalling Finley''s marathon swim. "Wow, seriously? Isn''t that too extreme? Are Mr. Quinn and our boss that petty?"


    Just then, Hull descended the stairs.


    Barnaby red at Ss, who was clearly trying to avoid eye contact.


    Ss stood up straight, greeting him respectfully, "Mr. Miguel."


    Hull was in a deep navy bathrobe, which revealed just enough of his toned chest


    to hint at the tattoos beneath. He cut an imposing figure. Even Ss couldn''t help but think how Susanna''s petite frame matched Hull''s towering presence.


    Hull settled onto the couch, his voice icy, "Is everything taken care of?"


    Ss nodded. "Don''t worry, Boss. It''s all sorted. Left one alive for you, just like always."


    Hull gave a nod of approval, his gaze shifting to Barnaby. The sudden attention made Barnaby jump.


    Instantly, Barnaby dropped to his knees. "Boss, I''m sorry! I really am don''t want to go to Muliba Desert. Please, give me another chance!"


    Ss was dumbfounded. Was Barnaby really this clueless?


    Hull''s expression darkened.


    Barnaby babbled, "I swear. I''ll never gossip about you again!"


    ?


    Ss was speechless. Seriously, was Barnaby just aplete idiot?


    The word ''gossip'' echoed through the room like a firecracker.


    Hull was momentarily stunned, then a slight smile tugged at his lips, "Oh? Gossiping about me, were you?"


    He emphasized the word ''gossip'' with a dangerous weight.


    Caught off guard by Hull''s tone, Barnaby nodded dumbly, unsure of what else to do.


    The room fell silent.


    Ss turned away in disbelief. ''What kind of fool am I working with, anyway?''


    His biggest fear at that moment was Barnaby dragging him into it, saying the gossip was a shared venture.


    Heaven knows he''d always tried to. stop him. It wasn''t a mutual discussion but Barnaby''s solo sho


    oofing rumors. Cool


    Oblivious to Ss''s frantic attempts atmunication, Barnaby was face-to-face with Hull''s amused yet dangerous smile. He nodded again, even more uncertain.


    Hull leaned back, his voice deceptively friendly, "So, what kind of gossip were you talking about? Do share."


    His tone was light, but the underlying menace was clear to anyone listening.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!