AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He did?” I figured my new boss must know something about my situation if this job is a favor to Harley’s friend. With any luck, he will be okay to work for, and I can get out of here and back home as soon as possible. Mom might be happier then, knowing I’ve had time away like she wanted.
“You just need time to find yourself, Rose. Forgive yourself.”
Some people don’t deserve forgiveness. Not when their crime is unforgivable.
“He sure did,” Logan says, turning down a small country road.
“So where was he, then?” I ask.
“Oh, Dax? In prison,” he says as casually as if he’s discussing directions.
“Jail?” I deadpan as I study his face. No suppressed laugh, no glittering eyes. Nothing to suggest he’s joking.
“Yeah,” he says. “For grievous bodily harm. It was attempted murder at one point, but that got thrown out. The whole case should have, frankly. He’s innocent.”
“Right.”
I’ve seen enough of people’s ugly sides, my own included, to know that there is usually no such thing as ‘innocent.’ We are all guilty of something.
Logan sighs. “The Silver Estate is… you’ll see. I think you’re going to like it here.”
“Mmm.”
He glances at me, then smiles.
Outside, blurs of green hedges pass us until we pull up to the junction of a main road, and Logan signals left, taking us a short distance before pulling up in front of a giant silver metal gate with the estate’s logo displayed across it.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I say, staring up at the imposing gate.
“I’m sure you will.” He smirks, pressing a remote control.
Then he drives through, submerging me deeper into mytemporaryhome.
My first night is… quiet. That’s the best word to describe it. It was already getting late when Logan dropped me off last night. As part of the job, I’ve been given a small cottage in the estate’s grounds to live in while I’m here. It’s cute. Quaint. The floors slope on the upstairs landing. Resembles walking on a rocking ship when I go to the bedroom. The kitchen looks like it was hand carved, and the only thing visible from the windows is green. Grass. Trees. More grass.
Maybe that’s why they sent me here so that I can’t go anywhere or do anything. I know Mom and Brett were getting sick of me going out so much and seeing me stumble home. Harley, too, although she doesn’t live with Mom, so she’s usually the one who nags me the least.
I pull on my over-the-knee boots. I’m wearing them with a smart, skater-style dress that flows out from my waist, so it’s an appropriate attire. I wore it at my old job, but judging by the gray mist that had settled over the grass outside this morning, I’m questioning whether rubber boots might be a better option.
There was a note left by Jasmin—one half of the Silver siblings—that said she would collect me in the morning and give me my induction. And a delicious-looking pie in the refrigerator, which I devoured half of before crashing out last night.
I’m stuffing my perfume into my purse when there’s a knock at the door.
“Rose?”
It’s hard not to smile at the dark-haired beauty standing at my threshold. She’s grinning at me like we are already BFFs. First, Logan. Now, her. People are cheery around here. Maybe it’s a British thing. Or maybe they’re drinking the product on the sly all day long.
I sniff subtly. No, no alcohol. Definitely a British thing.
“I’m Jasmin Silver.” She holds out a hand, and as I extend mine, she pulls me into a quick hug. “It’s so nice to meet you. Ooh, nice boots.”
“Thanks.” My smile widens.
“Are you ready for your induction and to meet the team?”
“Yes, umm, that sounds great.” It sounds less like a lie than I thought it would. I’m here now. After a good night’s sleep being stuck here doesn’t seem quite as depressing. If everyone is as nice as Logan and Jasmin, then my stay might even be bearable.
“It won’t take that long to whizz around the estate,” Jasmin says over her shoulder as she walks down the path, and I follow behind. She’s wearing Louboutin stilettos, their red soles flashing with each step she takes.
