He set down the belt sander and rose. “Oh, nothing. Just giving the floors a little freshening up.”
“I may not know a whole lot about building maintenance, but even I know you’re not supposed to use a hand sander on floors. How could you keep them even? Ever hear of ‘the right tool for the right job?’”
He waved away her comment. “Ah, it’s nothing. I’ve done it about a hundred times. Once you’re that good at something you don’t need the right tools anymore.”
Merry stepped into his space and he backed away. She slid the toe of her shoe over the place he had sanded and felt quite a dip.
“Jules, I don’t think you know what you’re doing. You’ve gouged this floor. And since when did it need freshening up? It was perfect when Lily moved in.”
He shifted his feet nervously. “Yeah, well Lily had a little accident.”
“An accident? Is she okay?”
Just then a moan came from the direction of the bedroom. “Oh, dear! She’s hurt.” As Merry dashed to the bedroom door and yanked it open, she started to ask Jules, “Why didn’t you tell—”
She stopped short. Lily and some guy were kneeling on the bed, naked. If Merry wasn’t mistaken, he was giving it to her doggy-style.
Their gazes met over his shoulder for a moment, then the guy continued his rhythm.
Nope, I wasn’t mistaken. Her cheeks heated as she closed the door quietly.
She returned to the living room only to find Jules cleaning up and putting away the sander.
“Did you know they were in there?”
“Yeah. How else could she make the money to pay you with no job?
Merry shook her head hard, trying to clear it. “Are you telling me that what I just saw was...is... Lily’s a prostitute?”
Jules nodded slowly. “Why? Is that bad? I thought it was the oldest profession.”
She crossed her arms. “It’s not only illegal but also unhealthy. We can’t let her knowingly break the law in our building.”
“But the third-floor tenants sell phone sex. Why is this so much worse?”
“Because that isn’t illegal, and it doesn’t spread STD’s.” Merry sighed.Obviously, this guy hasn’t the faintest idea where to draw the line and how to maintain a legal residence.
“Jules?”
“Yes.”
“You’re fired. And when you see Lily, tell her she can expect an eviction notice too. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be upstairs writing your final check.”
“Huh?” Jules tipped his head, looking genuinely puzzled.
“Did you understand what I just said?”
“You said I’m fired, but it’s Lily who’s setting fires.”
Merry stepped back and rested her palm on her hip. “Are you kidding me?” She pointed to the scuffed spots on the floor. “This is fire damage?”
Jules grimaced. “Uh, yeah. I thought you knew.”
“Obviously not. Why...” Merry paused, then remembered they lived in freak central. “I mean,howdid this happen? What is she?”
Jules shrugged one shoulder. “She’s a call girl—and a dragon. Sometimes she sneezes fire.”
Merry’s breath lodged in her throat. “Don’t move.” She ran for the door, but stopped when she reached it and pivoted. “Unless it’s to pack your things and get out.”
