Read Strong Reflection: Book 2 of the Dark Series Trilogy for Free Online Page B

 Catlyn Lyte’s habitual response.
    “About an inch shorter,” Ashley laughed.
    “Well, you can’t have it all.  You’ll just have to be satisfied with being gorgeous and skilled.”
    “Ha, ha,  whatdaya want already?”
    “I’m just calling to make sure you aren’t backing out of coming to Newburgh on Sunday.”
    “Cat, I said I’d be there and I will.”  Ashley knew there was a little bite in her tone.
    “Mack, you ok?  I was only joking.  I know you’ll be here.  I was actually calling to check what time you’re arriving.”  Catlyn had a knack of picking up on others’ moods.
    Sighing, she sat back down.  “Sorry, I am just a little touchy right now.  I did a bad thing.”
    “Oh, Ashley, you didn’t?”  Catlyn’s voice had her mothering tone.  
    “See, what had happened was…”  Ashley did their long standing joke.
    “What’d you do?”  Catlyn asked even though she could probably guess.
    “I swear, I am all healed and feel fine.  I can do my job.”
    “Ashley, it doesn’t matter.  The man is your boss.  If he says you’re on the desk then you ride the desk.”
    “I know he’s my boss.”  Ashley grunted between clamped teeth.
    There was a telling pause on the other end of the line.  “Director Strong is a very handsome man, very virile.”
    “Hey, woman, who’re you calling virile?  The only virility you should be concerned about is mine.” Ashley could hear Chief Gard’s voice coming through the line.  He must be very close.  It was confirmed when his question was followed by smacking sounds and Catlyn’s girlish giggle.
    “Sorry Mack, Jack just walked in… Honey, stop, I’m talking to Mackenzie.”  Catlyn’s voice wasn’t very convincing.
    There was more rustling noise and then Ashley heard Jack’s voice even clearer, “Hey, Mackenzie, still coming Sunday?”
    “Yes, as I just told your fiancée, I will be there.”
    Jack laughed.  “I thought you’d find some excuse not to come since Kyle is coming too now.”
    “What?  When?” Ashley was floored.  Kyle had told her Jack had issued him an invitation also.  But, she didn’t think he would actually take Jack up on it, especially after she told him she was definitely going to be there.
    “He’s arriving on Sunday too and staying through to the wedding.”  Ashley could tell Jack was enjoying letting her know of Director Strong’s plans.  “Hmm, wonder what made him change his mind since he declined when I first gave the invitation?”
    “Shush, Jack.”  Catlyn’s voice was in the foreground again.  “Don’t pay any attention to him Mack.  We’re happy to have you both.”
    Ashley could hear Jack’s laughter receding into the background and something that sounded like ‘clueless couple’.  She sighed.  “Well, this explains why he didn’t chew me out and write a 10 page reprimand to put in my file.  He’s going to make me pay for disobeying him by ruining my vacation.”
    “Don’t be absurd.  Director Strong wouldn’t purposefully ruin someone’s vacation.  Though, I wouldn’t put that 10 page written reprimand pass him.  Be prepared for that one.”
    “Thanks a lot.  I am hanging up on you now.  I am leaving here around 8 in the morning so I should see you guys around dinner time.  It’s about 7 hours to Newburgh from Richmond.”  She could hear Catlyn’s laughter as she clicked end on her cell.  
    Ashley had re-gathered her things when the phone on her desk rang.  “Mackenzie.”
    “Ashley, may I see you in my office, please?”  Director Strong’s voice was deep and sexy.
    “Is this a request, sir?”  Ashley purposefully used the form of address he told her not to use.
    The notable silence told her he was aware of her dig.  “My office now agent,” then there was nothing but dead air.
    Hanging up slowly, she replaced her things back on her desk.  Her angry strides ate up the distance between their offices very quickly.  His