Framed Read Online Free Page B

been the polite term for the violently, reverberating noise it was making. Neither of us was expecting anyone that early in the morning, which I knew immediately was not a good sign. The fact that I was almost certain I'd locked the door behind me the night before didn't bode well either.
    “Coming!” I yelled at the mysterious thumper. I was completely surprised when I opened the door to see Ronnie standing there. I wasn't surprised to see the expression on her face.
    “I need you to talk to Peyta,” she said sternly. I felt like I was her kid too, given the tone of her voice.
    “About what?”
    “Working for you.”
    “Why? She said you were okay with it. I asked her at least ten times to be sure.”
    “I did tell her that, which is why I need you to figure out a way to undo it.”
    I looked at her completely befuddled, trying to make sense out of her request.
    “You told her she could work for me so you'd be the good guy, and now you want me to figure out a way to get rid of her so that I'm the bad guy. Is that the gist of it?”
    “Yep,” she replied curtly. “You shouldn't have any problem with that role.”
    “Ronnie,” Cooper called from the kitchen before making his way to the door. “You want to come in for some coffee?”
    Cooper was ever the diplomat.
    “No, Cooper, I don't. I just want Peyta to stop working at the shop. Maybe you could put your charm to good use and talk her out of it,” she snipped, her words dripping with resentment, all of which were aimed at him. He stood next to me, eying Ronnie up in a friendly way, but I knew he was angry. It rolled off of him like water down a fall.
    “I don't think so. You can do your own dirty work. You may be able to guilt Ruby, but my conscience is clean. I did right by Peyta. Ruby did too. If you don't like it, that's your problem.”
    He reached in front of me and grabbed the edge of the door, slamming it shut right in Ronnie's face.
    “Holy shit, Cooper!” I shouted as I reached for the doorknob. He grabbed my hand before I could reach it.
    “Let her sweat it out for a bit.”
    Ronnie said nothing intelligible, but proceeded to stomp her way out of the building, sputtering the entire way. I opened the apartment door just in time to see her exit the building.
    “Seriously, Cooper, what the crap? I'm never going to be able to buy jeans now. I'll be too busy picking buckshot out of my ass if I try.”
    “You'd be picking lead, not buckshot, out,” he said as he released my arm. “She has a Glock, not a twelve gauge shotgun.”
    “That you know about!” I protested. “There's probably some secret lever that makes the shoe display turn one hundred and eighty degrees, uncovering an arsenal of weapons that would make even the Michigan Militia envious.”
    He opened his mouth to respond then snapped it shut. He fought a smile for a moment before letting it spread wide across his face.
    “You're probably right. She is a bit paranoid,” he said, walking back to his room. “Guess it's time to find a new dealer or invest in some Kevlar; I'd suggest underwear so your ass is protected. It is one of your best features.”
    “I'm so glad you live here,” I said sarcastically. “I so need help alienating those around me. And stop looking at my ass!”
    “Request denied,” he called over his shoulder. “Love you too, Rubes.”

    * * *

    I needed to get away from people for a bit, so I stopped by the shop while Peyta was opening up and informed her that she was on her own for an undetermined amount of time. She nattered on while I walked out the door about minions, overtime, and some crazy talk about benefits. She always put a smile on my face when she wasn't trying to— especially when she wasn't trying to.
    I'd put on my workout gear and grabbed my iPod before I left the house. Physical activity was the best way for me to work off the stress my impending doom was causing me, so I decided to run along the ocean to the outskirts of town. There was