Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
“Just curious: what’s she doing you don’t like?”
Matthias shoved his shoulder back, discouraging him from leaning so close. “You don’t see? She keeps holding something to hide her breasts.”
“Ah …”
Now he could understand. She was using the handle of the vacuum cleaner to obstruct his view. Before that, the cleaning cloth had been in front of her, then the countertop. To be fair to himself, he hadn’t caught that detail because he had been more focused on her thong when she would turn around. He almost laughed out loud when he realized she was using one of the kitchen table chairs to block Matthias’ view.
“I have to give her credit, she is resourceful,” he complimented her.
Matthias wasn’t as appreciative. “She’s the worst cleaner I’ve had.”
“Do you want me to take the tip back?”
He didn’t want him to take the tip back. He also didn’t want him to give the woman a bad review and put her job in jeopardy.
He could use a good spring cleaning. Lucca’s hotel staff didn’t offer cleaning in the nude. He might mention it to him.
“No. You can tell she hasn’t done this before. I don’t want to discourage her. I just prefer April.”
“That’s nice of you.”
Kent didn’t think anyone could surprise him anymore. Matthias was becoming a paradox to him.
“As a matter of interest, how much did you tip her?”
“Two thousand. I usually give April four.” Matthias turned to look at him again. “Do you think April will get angry at me? I don’t want her angry at me.”
“You shorted her two grand?” He had to think about that one. Anyone who cleaned in the nude obviously needed the money to bare themselves in someone’s home. He hated that the woman wouldn’t get the money she was probably expecting, but he was there to protect Matthias, not the unknown woman, he told himself. “You’re not shorting April. You’re shorting the woman in your kitchen.”
Matthias started to look worried. “I was angry.” Opening his desk drawer, he took out a stack of cash neatly strapped together. He peeled off two thousand dollars in hundred-dollar bills, then laid them on the desk. “Lay those with the other money before you go into the kitchen. I don’t want to make her angry.” Matthias looked conflicted.
“They’re trying to get you to believe she’s April.” Kent straightened to the side of the desk, the lawyer in him taking over. “They’re using deception to get your money.”
“That’s true.” Matthias started to put the money back in the drawer.
“On the other hand,” he said, reaching out to take the money, “why take a chance that they could be splitting the money, and April could become upset if she doesn’t get as much as she’s expecting?”
Giving him a distracted nod, Matthias resumed watching the screen.
“How much are you going to charge me for talking to her?”
Straightening his tie and tucking his shirt back neatly into his slacks, he headed for the door. “Don’t worry about what you owe me,” he said over his shoulder, more than eager to carry out his emissary role. “This one’s on the house.”
TEN
Let me get this over with so I can get out of here.
Every embarrassing second she was cleaning made her want to say to hell with it and run toward the thin coat she had left by the door. Only the faces of Glory, Colby, and Tinsley kept her performing the tedious tasks.
She was never going to do this again, she promised herself. If the client left her the same amount April had said he tipped her, she would have enough to make the rent and have an emergency fund to fall back on, which they desperately needed. She would even be able to take the girls out to buy them clothes.
Both girls were growing out of their clothes every few months. Colby needed a new pair of shoes, and Tinsley’s, which were hand-me-downs from Colby, were looking worse for wear. Victoria had stared in disdain at what the girls were wearing when she dropped them off at her home. It was the memory of the way she had looked at the girls that made her finally agree to take this job.
She slid a chair back under the table, then reached to pull another one out.
“Excuse me …”
Startled, she let out a scream, spinning around at hearing a man’s voice behind her. She immediately recognized the man standing in the doorway and turned back around. Her eyes flew around the room, seeking the nearest escape. The only route out was the one Kent Bryant was blocking.
“Please, don’t be frightened.”
Shaking, she didn’t turn back to face him, her mind frantically working to figure a way out of this nightmare.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. Your client sent me to have a word with you. If you just give me a minute of your time, I’ll leave, and you’ll be able to get out of here.”