AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I just need to worry about you hiding and listening into private phone calls, then?”
Her lips flatten into a line, and she pulls her hand away. “I wasn’t hiding.”
“But youwerelistening?” I narrow my eyes as her lips part, and she stares at me.
“Right, that’s introductions done.” Jasmin breaks the growing tension in the air, and I turn my back on Rose, picking up the folder on my desk.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Jacobs. I’m sure Jasmin can help you settle in,” I say, effectively dismissing her.
The two leave as Jasmin whispers something about me not being that bad once you get to know me.
But she’s forgetting this is a favor.
I have no intention of getting to know Rose Jacobs.
None at all.
Over the following days, I only catch glimpses of Rose a few times. Meetings take me away from the estate, and it’s approaching her finishing time as I walk into the office on Friday afternoon. Jasmin has insisted on giving me regular updates though, saying Rose is settling in fine and getting on well with the rest of the staff.
I’ve already discarded my jacket and tie and rolled the sleeves of my black shirt up as I stride down to Rose’s office. Her computer is still powered up, but she’s not at her desk. I walk into my office. I always leave it open. Jasmin and Logan come in and out and sometimes work in here, despite having their own adequate offices. They say mine has the best view.
“No hiding in the chair this time, then?” I say as my gaze lands on Rose, bent at the waist, admiring the fish in the tank.
She straightens, her eyes dropping to my forearms and the full inked sleeves that cover the skin there.
“I wasn’t hiding.”
“So you said.” I drop the folder I’m carrying onto my desk next to some accounting reports.
“It’s not a full analysis, by any means. But I thought you might appreciate an update on what I have done my first week.”
“Okay.”
“So, what was it?” She juts her chin and folds her arms across her chest.
“What was what?”
“The reason you agreed to take me on. You must have one. I know my sister’s friend pulled a favor.”
Her blonde hair’s swept forward over one shoulder. Defiance lights up her blue eyes. But for all the forced strength she’s exhibiting, there is an undercurrent of pain screaming out underneath. She might be able to fool other people. But I’ve always been good at reading others. And I recognize a person who has something weighing heavily on their soul when I see one… A kindred spirit, I suppose.
I lean against the desk, crossing my legs at the ankle as I hold her gaze.
“It was Daisy Anderson. She’s the owner of Aunt Iris’s recipe.”
“Your bestseller?”
“A globalbestseller,” I correct her. “It’s served in the best hotels and bars around the world.”
“I’ve had it before. It’s nice.”
“Just nice? It’s triple distilled.” I snort, earning a glare from her.
“You didn’t answer my question. Why did I get this job?”
I rub my hand around my jaw. She’s persistent. She will keep at me until I give her something.
“After I was sentenced, our contacts cut ties with us. The business would have gone under and left us with nothing. Aunt Iris’s Blend is the reason we survived.”
