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Chapter 3
Piper
Ispent the betterpart of a half an hour just lying on the bed, wondering how I ended up in this situation. I had lived a good life. I went to work, paid my bills, and never bothered anyone. Then, one day, my job decided I wasn’t worth it anymore.
Maybe because I hadn’t done anything more than mediocre work. I had never strived to be the best. I did what I was asked and nothing extra. That was probably why they cut me loose and not any of the other employees.
My personal life wasn’t much better. I had one or two friends who I talked to at least once a month. However, friends were exhausting, even more so when they weren’t family. Family you could ignore, and they would always be there. Friends? Not so much.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Standing, I brushed my hands over my clothes. I hadn’t worn anything spectacular to my first day. I was a maid, after all, I wouldn’t want to dirty up anything nice. The slacks I wore were one of three pairs I owned. The other two were all that I had left of my work wardrobe from before, that and a few blouses and one pair of black heels. I had opted out of the black heels today and wore tennis shoes instead.
I grimaced down at my beat-up sneakers. They weren’t really that impressive, especially for dinner in a place like this. There was another knock on the door just as I slipped into my heels. I raced for the door and pulled it open.
I expected to see Wynn since he had said he would come to get me, or at least Darren. However, the person waiting on the other side was neither of them. Not unless they had shrunk a few inches and colored their hair a bright red.
“Uh, hello.” I held onto the door, prepared to shut it if the man in front of me meant ill will.
A sly grin slipped up the redhead’s face, and the freckles across his nose popped out as he chuckled. The sound of it was like silk on my skin, and I shivered in pleasure. “Don’t look so worried, sweetheart. I’m not going to eat you.”
When he flashed his canines which like Wynn’s were sharper than a normal person’s. He must be one of the brothers. If that were the case, then I had no reason to fear him. I hoped.
“I’m Piper.” I offered him a smile. “I’m the new maid.”
The redhead rolled his eyes. “I know that, why do you think I’m here? Come on, they’re waiting for us in the dining room.” Unlike Wynn, he didn’t offer me his arm to escort me to dinner. He pushed off the wall and tucked his hands into his pockets, sauntering down the hallway like he owned the place which I suppose he did.
I hurried after him. His legs weren’t much longer than mine, so it wasn’t that much of a feat. “So, you know my name. Am I going to get yours?”
The redhead’s eyes slid over to me with a smirk. “Do you really need to know my name to clean the house?” He shook his head and let out a huff. “I don’t even understand why Wynn is allowing you to eat with us, but that’s him.” His eyes moved up and down my form, and I could see the twinkle in his eyes. “Always thinking with his dick.”
I couldn’t figure out if I should be offended or pleased. Knowing Wynn was attracted to me made something inside of me tingle. However, it was no secret that the guy beside me didn’t much care for the hired help.
No love lost there.
My eyes trailed along the walls around me, taking in the antique furniture and large portraits. Much like the one in the living room, the paintings felt like they were watching me.
Please, God, don’t let this house be haunted.
Sexy employers, I could do, even slightly weird ones. But ghosts? No, thank you. I was a wimp in the biggest sense of the word.
We turned a corner, and then we were at a different set of stairs than the ones from earlier. I was lucky I had someone here to guide me, or I’d be completely lost. The redhead didn’t much seem to care if I ended up lost or not. He kept going as if I weren’t even following him.
About halfway down the stairs, my foot caught on something, I was surprised it took this long, and my body propelled forward. Putting my hands out in front of me, the redhead’s back came closer and closer to my face, and I hoped to God I didn’t kill us both with my clumsiness.
However, before I could knock us both down the stairs, the guy spun around so fast I didn’t register it until I was in his arms. My eyes squeezed shut, I inhaled his scent. He smelled of cinnamon and sandalwood, a smell that sunk low and settled in my core.
He growled.
My eyes shot open at the sound, my mouth parted at the heated look in his amber eyes. He had the same look about him that Wynn had when I had first met him in the living room. His tongue darted out and licked his lower lip, and for a moment, I thought he might close the distance between us. Then...
He dropped me.
“Oof,” I groaned and rubbed my backside as I glared up at him. “What was that for?”
“Watch where you’re going,” he snapped, leaving me in the stairs by myself.
I gaped at the direction he had gone for a moment and then scrambled to my feet. Grumbling under my breath about rude ass rich boys, I rounded the stairs and slammed into his back. Once again, I was falling, but this time, I caught my hand on the railing before pulling myself back to my feet.
The redhead snickered.
