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Janet does too.
When Sonnie enters the room she looks just as worried as I was. She takes a seat at my side nervously, clearly trying to work out what the hell she’s done wrong.
“An opportunity has come up,” Janet tells her. “We need you to clean Mr Henley’s house on a Sunday morning. You’ll be taking his dog out in particular. You’re available, yes?”
Sonnie looks as horrified as I did. “But isn’t that Lissa’s job?”
I hope my eyes tell her how sorry I am. I know she has little kids at home. I know she didn’t mention it at interview.
“Miss Martin is unavailable,” Janet says, and I feel like an asshole. “Please don’t tell me you are too.”
I’m waiting for it, the stream of excuses as Sonnie tries to get out of it, but she doesn’t. Although she looks stressed as hell she plasters a bright smile on her face.
“I’ll do it,” she says. “Hell, I’m always up for a promotion.”
“Then it’s done,” Janet tells us. “I’ll find a stand in for your duties this week, Miss Webber. You’ll be shadowing Miss Martin in preparation for the weekend.”
I smile.
Sonnie smiles.
Janet smiles too.
I’m a long way away from her office by the time I breathe easily again.Chapter Twenty-SevenMelissa“Whoa,” Sonnie says. “This is some pad.”
I swell with pride as I lead the way to Mr Henley’s front door. Stupid, I know.
I hand her a piece of paper with the alarm code written down. “The keypad is under the stairs, you have to be quick.”
“I’ll be like lightning.” She nudges me with her elbow as I sort through the keys. “Look at us little scrubbers from floor seven, making it all the way to Mr Henley’s place. Did you really do it? Sniff his underpants?”
“Course I do. I wear them on my head while I’m scrubbing.” I shoot her a goofy smile, and she laughs as I turn the key in the lock. “You have to be careful of Brutus,” I tell her. “Never come here without fish treats. I’ll give you a pack.”
“Cindy warned me already. Said he’s a monster.”
I feel strangely protective. “He’s not a monster. He’s just… misunderstood.”
“Like his master, eh? Up to no good sticking his dick in hooker pussy.” She grins. “I know Cindy told you. Said you looked damn like you were gonna get yourself down there to Harley’s tavern yourself.”
“She told me a lot of things,” I say, and my cheeks burn as we step inside. Sonnie really does make a dash for it, scooting through the hallway in her bid to deactivate the countdown timer. I’d forgotten how efficient she is.
The alarm stops beeping and she takes a look around the place, jaw open.
“Yep, just as I thought. Swanky as hell.”
She hasn’t seen anything yet.
And she hasn’t seen Brutus yet, either.
He takes her by surprise, his growl crazily intimidating as he checks out the intruder in his house. It’s a sound I haven’t heard in a while, and I’m dithery as I rustle for the treats in my apron pocket. I toss them to her.
My heart is thumping as she catches them, and she’s even more dithery than I was.
Shit.
“Hey boy, good boy,” she flusters, but he isn’t having any of it. He stalks her with his teeth bared, and she backs away before I can tell her not to. It’s a mistake.
He launches himself in her direction, and she tears off with a shriek, heading right back out the front door as he throws himself against the other side.
“Brutus!” I call, but he isn’t listening. “Shit, Brutus, no!” I shout, but he’s still clawing at the woodwork as she grips the handle tight on the other side.
“Help!” she calls, and my actions are automatic. I just do it.
I put on my bravest voice, just like I heard on that dog whisperer show, and head over calmly to take hold of his collar.
“Stop!” I tell him. “No!”
He’s still growling as he turns his head, teeth still bared as he clocks my expression.
“Brutus! No!”
I’m sure he’s going to bite me, positive I really will be fired for spilling blood over cream carpets, but the fight in his eyes simmers down, and he grumbles, groans a bit before sitting his ass down on the floor.
“Christ, Lissa. Is it safe? Are you still alive in there?”
I tug Brutus away from the door. “Stay,” I tell him, and hope he knows that word. I ease it open just a crack and Sonnie’s terrified eyes greet me on the other side. “Sorry about him,” I say. “He takes a while to get used to new people.”
She’s shaking as she eases herself back through the doorway. “Ain’t you who’s got to be sorry, hon. He ain’t your monster.”
A tiny pang in my stomach, and I realise why I’ve been feeling so off since we set off from the office earlier.
