Chapter 18
“ e’re totally doing this,” I tell Shrimp as I cap my matte-red lipstick. “I’m nervous, but this is for the best. You’ll be safe there. It’s quiet and huge. More space to fly.”
Shrimp titters and purrs in his birdy way as though he likes the idea.
Tonight, my hair is down and in loose, beach waves that hang just past my breasts. I actually put on makeup and made an effort. Winston craves to humiliate me for sport, but I refuse to let it be because of my looks while we’re out. I can dress up and be his arm candy for the night. Rather than put on the dress that’ll draw the eyes of my wicked stepbrothers and questions from my dad and Manda, I pull on a pair of denim shorts, slide into my brown flip flops, and opt for a black tank top. I’ve already packed my backpack with my undergarments that go with my black dress as well as the accessories to match. I even grab a pair of flats in case he chooses shoes that are too high to walk in.
Knowing Winston, that’s exactly what he’ll choose.
Once he sees how horribly uncoordinated I am in heels, he’ll gladly let me wear the flats instead.
I grab my garment bag, my backpack, and Shrimp’s cage. He whistles loudly, eager to go on an adventure. I make it down the stairs without an event and almost to the front door before Manda stops me.
“Where are you going out to, young lady? I thought you had work tonight?” I turn to find her staring at me with shrewd eyes. Her arms are crossed over her too-perfect tits, and her plump lips are pursed. I wonder who performs the plastic surgery on the plastic surgeon.
“I have a work thing.” I shrug. “I’ll be out late.”
She eyes Shrimp with a curled lip. “I seriously doubt FGM Services allows you to bring your bird.” “I, uh, I . . .” I trail off wondering how to break this to her. “I don’t work for them anymore.”
“You didn’t get fired already, did you?” she demands. “I told you not to embarrass me!”
The way her face turns purple would be entertaining, except that she reminds me of Scout when she does it, and he scares the shit out of me.
“I didn’t embarrass you,” I respond in a rush. “In fact, you would be proud. I got recruited for a better job.”
Her eyebrows fly to her hairline. “Oh?”
“Mr. Constantine thought I did such a good job, he’s hired me to clean his apartment full time.” I lift my chin, forcing false confidence into my words. “I’m also to assist him some and attend events with him.”
She goes from pissed to shocked. Then, her brown eyes glint in the predatory way all three of her sons’ do. “Which Constantine, love?”
Love? Ack.
“Um, Winston.”
She gasps, her lashes fluttering. “CEO of Halcyon. That Constantine?” “Yeah. Is that bad?”
“Heavens no, sweetie. That’s wonderful.”
Sweetie? Gross.
“Great. I’m going to go now. He’s sending a car to pick me up.”
She clacks my way, her heels echoing loudly at her approach. Much like my mother used to, she strokes my hair in an affectionate way. “I don’t think I have to explain to you what an important job this is. The Constantines are an extremely difficult family to get in with. This position you’ve somehow procured elevates our family status. It’s imperative you don’t mess this up for us.”
Don’t worry, Manda the Maneater, I’m a pro at gagging on breadsticks, just like the boss man loves.
“I’ll do my best,” I grumble.
She inspects me closely, no doubt cataloging all my imperfections as though she might get to fix them one day. “See Erin at the spa as soon as possible. Tell her to give you the full treatment and to put it on my tab.”
No, thank you, lady.
“I’ll check my schedule. Mr. Constantine is very demanding of my time.”
Her brown eyes gleam with hunger. “That’s fabulous, love. Demanding means he enjoys the work you do for him. Perhaps a romance could brew. If not with the eldest Constantine, there’s always the younger ones. Maybe Perry. He’s quite a looker himself and near your age. See this as an opportunity for your future. At this rate, you won’t even need college.”
I’d love to tell her I’m not some gold digger after the Constantine treasure, but that’s a total lie. He pays me for strange things, and I gladly take his money.
“What about college?” Dad’s voice booms as he enters the foyer from the living room.
He’s polished and put together wearing an expensive suit I’ve never seen on him before. The grays at his temples have been dyed to match the chocolate brown on the rest of his head, and he now has a neat, trim beard, because Manda likes him with a little facial hair. Some days, I don’t recognize this version of my father.
“We were discussing,” Manda purrs as she steps into his arms and grins up at him, “how successful Ash will be no matter what avenue she takes for her career.”
Dad smiles at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling in an old, familiar way that makes my chest squeeze. “That’s my girl.”
I glance out the window, noticing a sleek black Mercedes waiting. “Oh, that’s my ride. Talk soon.” I give Dad a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing out the door.
Manda follows me out of the house, practically thrumming with excitement. I’m aggravated at how she’s suddenly my best friend. I suppose if I’m in good with the Constantines, Manda will become more popular within the elite crowd by default. I always knew she was a status climber, which surprised the hell out of me when she started dating my father.
He was poor in her eyes. Unworthy.
A single father.
I cringe to think it could be true love. Dad only truly loved Mom. There’s no way he can love Manda. I think she decided to slum it because Dad is incredibly handsome. Most rich guys are dweebs. Aside from Winston, I haven’t seen too many hot rich men.
“Good evening, miss,” a suited man greets when I approach the Mercedes.
He loads my things into the trunk and then sits Shrimp’s birdcage in the backseat. I climb up front with the man rather than in the back. I notice the flash of displeasure on his face, but he doesn’t argue. The ride over to Winston’s is introspective as I wonder if I’ve just willingly crawled into the alligator’s mouth. Only time will tell.