Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“You can leave anytime now, Vanessa. I don’t need to listen to your insignificant dribble.”
“I’ll be sure to show Marco and your other clients how irrelevant you are, and when you’re back, Jeff will hand me your clients. Say goodbye to your office, soon, it will be mine.” She waves at me. “Toodles.”
I don’t usually hate people, but I despise this woman right now.
Could she actually win my clients over?
The possibility is there, but I would hope that doesn’t happen. But I can never be sure. She is way more talkative and outgoing than I am. I’m trying to be better. I’ve been changing things as best I can—how I dress and talk to people—and it’s been hard, but I’m slowly getting better at it, I think. My confidence is gradually building. I still won’t go out of my way to talk, but I respond more when they speak.
As I gather up my things, Emma walks in.
“I don’t want to work for Vanessa,” she says quietly, looking over her shoulder to make sure Vanessa is gone.
“It’s only a week. I promise I’ll be back. Call me if you need me?” I reassure her. She nods and goes back to her desk. Just as I pick up my bag, another knock sounds at my door. When I turn around, I see it’s Kyson and Zuko.
“We need to talk.” Kyson walks in and makes himself comfortable in one of my guest chairs, and Zuko follows him in, shutting the door behind him and standing in front of it. “How are you… Mayve, isn’t it?”
All I can do is nod.
What have I done?
Are they here to kill me?
The thoughts run circles through my head.
“We aren’t here to kill you. Should we be?” Kyson says and leans forward a little bit. “Are you a bad girl?” His words take me aback, and when I don’t answer, he leans back in the chair. I look over at Zuko, who is still leaning against the doorframe.
“We came here for information. It’s not usual for Kenzo to go off-grid, but he won’t even say boo to us right now. So maybe you can tell us what you’ve done to our brother.”
When I stare at him, Kyson chuckles and says, “You two are a lot alike.” He shakes his head and looks back to his brother.
“What’s that?” Zuko asks and steps forward. He reaches for the open manila envelope on my table with my name and Kenzo’s at the top. I watch in both curiosity and humiliation as he reads the pages. He goes through the whole document, and we all wait in awkward silence. When he’s done, he looks at Kyson, then turns his gaze to me. He hands the packet to Kyson, who also reads through it.
“He just bought that house not long ago,” Kyson says, sounding confused. You and me both. His brows dip before he looks up at me. “Why is he giving you the house?” He motions to my ring. “And why are you still wearing that?”
I study the gorgeous ring for a moment.
Why am I still wearing it? I shouldn’t be. I should have taken it off, but I love it.
“He gave me the house?” I ask, stunned.
No. Why would he do that? It literally makes no sense.
“Says right here…house is yours.” Kyson points to a spot on the paper. “What did you do to our brother?”
“I didn’t do anything,” I say, shaking my head.
“Well, seems he’s on a killing spree, and he won’t tell us why or who’s on his list.”
“A what?” I shriek.
Kyson makes a weird sound.
“Why did he marry you?” He pauses, then says, “We all know it’s not for the sex since you can’t stand blood.”
“I—”
“So what are you offering him to make him do this?” He shakes the papers in his hand. “I’m going to ask you again, nicely. What have you done to my brother?”
Someone knocks on the door, and Zuko pulls it open to reveal Marco standing on the other side.
Marco’s gaze locks on me and rolls over my body before he acknowledges the brothers. “Gentlemen, long time.” Marco crosses his arms and grins as he takes in the room. That grin sends shivers all over me. “I need to have a few words with my accountant. Is this a bad time?” he asks.
Kyson stands. “It’s not often we get to see each other, Marco,” he replies. Zuko remains at the door, attention fixed on me, and I start to fidget. “You work with Mayve?” Kyson asks and looks at me over his shoulder before turning his focus back to Marco.
“I do. If you aren’t already, I highly recommend her. She’s the best.”
“The best?” Kyson mutters. “Interesting.”
“How’s Kenzo? Last time I saw him, he was carrying Mayve off on the back of a bike.” Marco seems to be taunting him, but Kyson doesn’t bother replying to Marco’s bait.