Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 18

I step out on the rooftop and stroll past the heated pool.

On the edge of the balcony, the breeze feels a touch chilly, but they've done a remarkable job of keeping this place warm.

"Look, Kay…" I stop to consider my next words.

Telling Kayla Persephone ‘no' is not something that happens.

She takes it about as well as you'd expect. I'm pretty sure there are still royals in the world who can hear it without throwing a tantrum bigger than hers.

"I'm not trying to let you down, but this is my job. And it's new for me, y'know? I'm trying to keep things professional."

"Your job, yeah. Which I got you. You're welcome, Lemmy." Her voice is flat.

"Believe me, I know—and I appreciate it, Kay. This is such an amazing opportunity. But you know my dating life. I'm just not much of a matchmaker when I've been on the shelf for so long. Also, um, I don't want my boss to think I'm trying to hook him up with my friends."

"Oh, fine. Your job, your life, whatever. I get it." I can practically hear her rolling her eyes. "Still, not to trash the vibe, but you could be a teensy bit grateful."

My throat tightens.

It takes real effort to restrain the violent insults that want to claw their way up my throat.

"I am grateful. You helped me tremendously as a friend and I appreciate it," I clip.

"Well, yeah! Anytime. I mean, you're not hooking us up. You'd be introducing us. Where's the harm in that? Anything that happens later would be totally on me."

"Yes, but—"

She's animated again, acting like she can convince me to do her bidding through sheer guilt tripping force of will.

"You know he's hot stuff on the market. The most eligible dude in KC, some say," she tells me. "He's also a lot less accessible than he was before, I hear. Girls used to see him at bars and such, but ever since he got on this Cardinal thing, he's been scarce. The dude's a workaholic and he's not easy to flag down."

Right. Like that makes me feel better about setting her up with my boss, the man who legitimately rocked my world so hard it's never been the same.

"Sure," I say.

"You know what? All the brothers are hot, but he's the only one left who's really available. Without a kid, I mean." She pauses. "No offense."

Sometimes, I think I wouldn't mind the consequences, but I've been in her orbit too long to risk it.

Sadly, she did get me this gig and the mentorship, courtesy of her oh-so- important father, who made the recommendation to Dexter Rory personally. Even if it's becoming likely this was all a ruse to get her an in she wanted, there's no denying Kayla is the reason I'm here.

"Fine," I say firmly. "I'll see what I can do. But just so you know, he's not the smiley bachelor man you think he is. He's short-fused and grumpy and kind of a hardass, just between us. But Kay, I have to go."

I hang up before she can say anything else, barely resisting the urge to throw my phone off the building. I certainly can't afford to replace it.

As it is, I'm going to pay for sassing her by doing her bidding. A man clears his throat from behind me and I whirl around.

Apparently, I'll pay for my sass right this second, because His Highness, King Grumpybutt himself, stands there in his full glory.

Today, he's decked out in a silvery grey suit that makes him look more imposing than ever.

He's a businessman through and through and he just heard me insult him on the phone. While I was supposed to be working.

Screw the phone. Can someone throw me off the roof instead?