Black In White by J C Andrijeski

Author:J C Andrijeski [Andrijeski, J C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: White Sun Press
Published: 2015-09-07T22:00:00+00:00

“YOU ARE THE absolute worst person to surprise in human history,” Ian smiled, grasping my elbow as he leaned closer to kiss my cheek. “...The absolute worst.”

I forced a smile. My eyes drifted down to Black as I accepted the kiss. He hadn’t stood up when Ian reached our table and now I found myself noticing the faint air of hostility drifting off Black as he watched Ian kiss me. As for me, I was deeply aware I was probably ten different shades of guilty-looking even as I tried to shake the feeling off.

Whatever I was doing here, it was no threat to Ian.

I desperately wanted to believe that, anyway.

“Sorry,” I murmured, my face still uncomfortably hot. “You caught me on kind of a strange night.” I motioned towards Black, not looking down at him as I studied Ian’s face. “I’d like you to meet Quentin Black,” I said, deciding to tell him part of the truth at least. “He’s a new prospective employer,” I added. “He runs a private investigation and security firm downtown and wants me to consider a possible job with his permanent staff.”

Ian raised his eyebrows subtly, keeping that humor on his face.

Even so, he appeared to be studying my expression more closely than usual. I was about to speak again when he glanced down at Black, barely hesitating before he extended a hand.

“Ian Stone,” he said, smiling.

“You’re British,” Black observed, rising smoothly to his feet.

The way he towered over Ian felt strangely deliberate.

Ian’s hardly short. At roughly six foot even, he’s well above average.

I hadn’t thought to hazard a guess about Black’s exact height until then. Looking at the two of them together however, I thought: Six-five? Six-six?

“Yes,” Ian said, his lips quirking in what might have been amusement as he gazed up at Black’s face, obviously tracking the way he was using his height as well. “This surprises you?”

“No,” Black said at once, glancing at me. “Actually, it explains some of Ms. Fox’s speech patterns. At times she uses phrasing more from your home country than her own.”

Ian glanced at me in another silent question.

Without waiting for my answer, he looked back at Black, right before releasing his hand.

“You are a detective, aren’t you?” Ian teased, his voice still holding mainly friendliness and humor. “I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me that you’d notice such a thing. Still, I imagine Miri finds it entertaining... compared to her usual sorts of clients. Most of those are a bit on the boring side, in terms of companies... isn’t that right, darling?”

I smiled, shaking my head. “According to you, all business people are dull, Ian. Which is sort of ironic given what you do for a living...”

“Which is what... precisely?” Black said, narrowing his gaze at Ian.

Ian gave him a wry smile.

“Well, I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” he said, causing me to let out an involuntary laugh. “And if you meant to flatter me by implying Miri’s picked up my speech mannerisms due to her fondness for me.

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