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She closed her eyes, trying to come up with a reasonable figure. Three months of work. The most she’d ever made was at the dentist office. That would be her starting point. She opened her eyes and wrote down the hourly rate she’d received there—twelve dollars and fifty cents. Multiplying it by twenty-four hours a day for ninety days, she came up with the mind-blowing amount that would pay the back taxes on her mother’s home and give her enough money to start her life over.
“Twenty-seven thousand dollars is my counter, take it or leave it. Your call, guys.”
“Done.” Eric nodded and held out his hand for her to take.
She did and they sealed the deal.
Scott shook her hand, too. “We just saved ourselves over one hundred thousand bucks, bro. That’s got to be the best bargain we’ve ever made.”
“Agreed.” Eric left the booth and stood at the end of the table. “Time to earn your paycheck, Megan.”
Her jaw dropped. “Now?”
He smiled. “Right now. We need to get you settled into your room at our house. Where are your things?”
“You love to bark orders, don’t you, cowboy?” Phoebe asked.
He frowned. “Your services are no longer required for her.”
“That’s not your call, Eric. Besides, I like Megan. I wouldn’t mind having a smart woman like her as a confidant and advisor.” Phoebe grabbed her hand and squeezed. “What do you say? Buddies?”
She nodded, glad to have a new friend.
Scott got out of the booth and to his feet. “I’m with Eric on this one. Let’s get you settled into our house first. Then we can move on to the next part of the day.”
“House? Your house?” Phoebe mocked. “Call it by its proper name. The Knight Mansion.”
“We’ve never dubbed it that,” Scott said.
“Maybe not, but everyone in Destiny has. Don’t forget, Megan.” Phoebe winked. “One eye always open with these two.”
“I won’t.”
“Enough. Let’s get going,” Eric stated flatly, but his eyes twinkled with what seemed to her as satisfaction. He liked to win, most definitely. But she’d won, too.
“Okay.” She stepped out of the booth and the Knights surrounded her. They towered over her, making her feel so very tiny and feminine. “All my stuff is in my car.”
The lawsuit was off the table. She wouldn’t have to sleep in her car for the next seven days. Her stomach was full. Things were looking up, even though her future as their personal assistant seemed unclear. What would she be doing for them, really? Taking notes? Making appointments? Screening their calls? All of the above and more?
“Lead the way, sweetheart.” Eric’s deep, commanding tone made her deliciously dizzy.
The only way to find out was to take the first step.
When he put his arm around her, she thought her knees would buckle.
They didn’t, thank God.
Three months wasn’t so long. Whatever happened, she would survive. She always had. She would again. At the end of her contract to them she would have twenty-seven thousand dollars. Nine thousand would go to the back taxes, saving her house from being seized and auctioned off by the county. She would use another five thousand of the remainder to make much-needed repairs for the home. And she would splurge on one thing. She’d throw out the futon, which had been her only place of rest since Kip’s arrest. Then she’d get herself a real bed, queen-size.
They walked out the door of Lucy’s. “What about the computer you were supposed to bring, Megan?” Eric asked. “Where is it?”
“With everything else I own, Mr. Knight. In my car.” Her words came out sharper than she’d meant them to. Her nerves were shot and apparently her tongue was taking advantage of that.
Suddenly, Eric stopped. “Careful, Megan. I expect a certain level of courtesy and respect from my assistant. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir. I’m sorry. Just tired.”
What had she really gotten herself into agreeing to the Knight brothers’ contract?
