You’re deep into your mission when your communicator buzzes unexpectedly. Frowning, you glance at the caller ID. Deon. Confused as to why he’d be calling at a time like this, you answer.

“I heard,” he drawls, his words thick and uneven, “you got a new man tagging along with you. Did youuuu really think I wouldn’t find out? That you could just—hic—pick someone over me?”

Your brows knit together. His voice is off, the slurring unmistakable.

“Deon,” you say slowly, suspicion creeping into your tone. “Have you been drinking again?”