A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

here much longer. Let’s just get the darn book so I can be on my way.”
    “Sure. Whatever suits you, babe.” I winced
at her hurt expression, which disappeared immediately behind a cold mask.
    “I’m not your babe. Never will be.” Keeping
her head high, she dropped onto the sofa and turned away from me. “I’m so tired
of playing house with you. Don’t even say another word to me until you figure
out how to get the book.”
    I regarded her profile for a moment. All
the makeup in her face couldn’t hide the signs of exhaustion. Her cheeks were
flushed, her eyes glinting with moisture. Clearly, her ego was hurt. I could
only hope Kieran’s tactic wouldn’t backfire. Sitting down beside her, I draped
an arm over her shoulders, drawing her closer. She stiffened, but didn’t pull
away.
    “Do you have any plans tomorrow evening?” I
whispered in her ear.
    Amber drew in a sharp breath, her heartbeat
spiking again. “What? I’m not so sure a housekeeper should be seen with a guy
of your stature.”
    I cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you quit.”
    “I did. But you wouldn’t let me leave, if I
remember correctly. So, technically, I’m still being paid.”
    Hiding my smile, I said, “We’re getting the
book tomorrow night—if you don’t have any other plans.”
    She turned to face me, brows furrowed. “As
a matter of fact, I do. Yeah, big ones. I’m washing my hair. But I’ll make an
exception because the sooner I get rid of you, the better.”
    I knew she didn’t mean it, but the words
stung nonetheless. The door swung open and Cassandra walked in. Her gaze moved
between Amber and me, then to my hand on Amber’s thigh. “Get a room, guys.”
    “I don’t think so,” Amber said. “You couldn’t
pay me to get a room with him because he’s rude, pushy, selfish, disrespectful
and obnoxious. Shall I go on?”
    Cass shook her head. “Nope. We got the
message, loud and clear. Why, I could’ve told you that, mate, and saved you the
heartache. The last thing you want is obnoxious offspring.”
    “That’s not even an option.” Amber sighed.
    Cass inched closer, as usual not able to
keep her mouth shut. “Let me give you some great advice. Aidan’s the finest
piece of vampire meat you’ve ever met. But never invite a vampire into your
heart, silly girl.” She glanced at me, nostrils flaring, eyes sparkling like she
enjoyed every bit of the chaos she created.
    “Go away, Cass,” I said, irritated, wishing
I could just throw her butt right out the door.
    “I want to get a million miles away from
this moron.” Amber sat up and pushed my hand aside. “But for now, the next room
will have to do. I’ll get Clare while I’m there.”
    Cass watched Amber walk out, then turned to
me, eyes glinting again. “What’s cracking?”
    Half the time I didn’t understand a word she
said, and the other half she annoyed the hell out of me. “Mind your own
business, Cass,” I said, taking in another one of her strange attires: a colorful,
baggy dress that looked like it was cut out of a tablecloth, and combat boots.
    But Cass didn’t seem to know when to back
off. “Amber’s showing you the cold shoulder, huh? Been there, done that.
Nothing a little strip can’t solve.”
    “You’re suggesting I take off my clothes?” I
shot her an amused look, waiting for her to start laughing. Her face remained
dead serious.
    “Obviously, getting naked won’t do the
trick.” Cass rolled her eyes. “Keep it subtle, you know—” she waved a
hand about “—a bare shoulder here, a naked pin there. You know the drills.”
    I laughed. “How do you propose I show my
legs unless I run around the house naked and risk prosecution for indecent exposure
in front of my employees?”
    “Show a bit more fantasy, mate. I can’t do
all the work for you.” She tapped her fingers against her painted lips. “What
about a kilt? You could get away with it since we’re in Scotland and all. I’ve
heard girls are suckers for guys in skirts.”
    “Why’re you here, Cass?” I asked, not quite
able to shake off the frightening image of hundreds of hairy legs in short
skirts and dresses. I shivered, focusing on how widened Cass’s eyes suddenly
seemed. She was about to lie. First Amber, now she. What was wrong with me that
people just couldn’t tell me the truth?
    Cass smoothed a hand over her reddish hair
to gain a few more second. “I was worried about Amber. Had to check you guys
got her back okay.”
    I narrowed