Page 8 of Miss Trust

She blew out a breath. “You realize how fucked up this all is.”

She didn’t know the half of it. “I’m aware.”

She raked a hand over her face, inhaling deeply. “What’s with the job offer? Where does it fit in?”

“I’m offering you a job because I’m in search of redemption.”

The expression on her face mirrored my own shock at my blunt response.

I hadn’t appreciated quite how true the words were until now. “I did set up Reid’s ex to cheat on him, and hurt him in the process. It may sound shitty, but my strategy saved him a lifetime with a woman who’d hit on me for years and who’d always treated him like an afterthought. But your sister didn’t deserve my misjudgment. I shouldn’t have assumed she was a gold digger. I not only hurt her, but I hurt him.”

“And offering me a job is your way of trying to make it up to them?”

“Yes.”

She seemed to contemplate for a moment before walking to the front door. “I appreciate the honesty, Chance, but the answer is still no. I don’t take charity.”

“Seriously? You’d stand there and turn down a job with medical benefits because of your pride?”

She lifted her chin. “Don’t you dare judge me. You don’t know me.”

“I know if you love your sister, you should be willing to do anything to keep her from having to strip for money in a country where it’s illegal. You should want her to be happy with Reid and able to date him, free from the burden of having to send you money each month.” I wasn’t fighting fair, but I couldn’t help it.

She was practically shaking with rage. “You have some nerve coming in here and telling me how to be a good big sister when it’s clear you hardly have the credentials to become sibling of the year.”

“Mommy, who are you talking to?” came a small voice from the bedroom.

Appearing in the doorframe was a tiny little thing. She had her mom’s blue eyes and a bald head. I swallowed hard at the lack of hair. I didn’t spend time around many children, let alone one who was sick.

Tory immediately softened, kneeling down to her daughter. “It’s no one, sweetie. I’m sorry we woke you up.”

The little girl rubbed her eyes, peering at me. “He doesn’t look like no one.”

Tory gave her daughter a quick smile. I hadn’t been sure it was possible, but Tory softened. It was like getting a glimpse of a rare bird.

“He was just leaving.”

A bird who wanted nothing more than to peck me to death. “Hi. Yes, I was leaving. I’m sorry I woke you.”

Damn, was that a lump in my throat? No. A lump wouldn’t do. What in the hell?

Tory saw me to the door, holding it open for me.

I turned to give her my parting words. “I don’t know you, Tory. But I do know your situation. All I’m asking to do is help. Frankly, it would be a whole lot simpler to write you a check, but instead I’m offering a job. Something you’d work at every day and pay you would earn. It would get you out of this place.”

Evidently, housing had magically become part of the deal I was offering. I told myself giving her a better place to live would endear me further to Reid. The reason couldn’t be knowing this fragile little girl and her pride-heavy mom were living here in this run-down apartment in an unsafe neighborhood.

Time to lay down the trump card. “This job would include the type of insurance which covers your daughter’s care at Children’s Hospital.”

For the first time, I saw a chink in her armor.

I took my card out of my suit jacket pocket along with a pen. “Here’s my cell phone number,” I said, writing my personal digits on the back. “Call me once you’ve had an opportunity to think about it some more.”

She took the card reluctantly. “Even if I have insurance, there’s no guarantee I can get Penny in to see a doctor at Children’s Hospital.”

“I already have an appointment with the head oncologist scheduled for next week.” Finally, a part of my plan I’d actually meant to reveal.

“How?”

“I have a connection there.” I didn’t think she’d appreciate hearing he was a club regular who spent a lot of money at the poker tables and for private dances.

“Think about it. I’m familiar with what it’s like to have pride, but don’t let it cost you something which can benefit everyone.”