Page 24 of The Christmas Nanny

“For what?”

“I need to know every move Charles is making with Samantha. He’ll try and turn her against me. It will be your job not to let that happen. You need to understand there’s a lot on the line here. Billions of dollars, and I need someone in my corner willing to come out and fight for me.”

I didn’t know what to say. She wanted me to be a mole. No job paid enough for that headache. “You’ve got the wrong guy,” I said.

“In return, you’ll make a monthly salary of ten thousand dollars, plus a one hundred thousand dollar sign-on bonus. You’ll also have a suite in the east wing. It has a kitchen and a bathroom. Everything you need.”

“I’m listening,” I said. Everyone could be bought.

“For every useful bit of information you bring me during your employment, I’ll add a five thousand dollar bonus.” Smugly, she leaned back in her expensive leather chair and drank her expensive drink. Money talked, and she knew she’d just spoken loud and clear. “You look like you need a few days to think it over.”

“I appreciate that,” I said. “It’s a lot to consider. Do you have other interviews?”

“Only you.” She crossed her arms and turned the chair, gazing out the window. “Of course, if you accept, you’ll have a second interview that will involve sitting with Charles and me.” Her wry smile said I wouldn’t like that. “He can be quite the asshole when he doesn’t want to be.”

“Meaning he’s an asshole all the time,” I said, and she seemed to like my response.

“I think you and I will get along just fine.” She stood and walked to the door, ass twisting to the beating of jungle drums. “Your second interview is tomorrow morning at ten.”

I stood at the door. “You said I had a few days to think it over.”

“I changed my mind. If you don’t show, I’ll assume you declined the offer.”

“I’ll think about it.” I stepped from the office. “I can show myself out.” She called after me as I walked down the hall.

“Jacob? It’s not a good idea to watch your boss's ass all the time.” She closed the door, and I struggled to lift my jaw from the floor. Had Christine’s interview been as bizarre as mine?

Chapter nine

Christine

Jacob’s SUV was still outside when I left the interview. I didn’t know how long he’d be, so I went home to mull over Quartermain’s offer. How the hell was I supposed to pass up that much money? Were they serious? And he had to know he’d hired me as his escort years ago. It was impossible to keep the past in the past.

Wigglebutt watched me from the kitchen counter, wondering why I’d not finished the day at work. I couldn’t go in. Not with the offer I had. I texted Annette, who had called in sick after drinking too much. She told me to take the offer. I could quadruple my current salary. But at what cost? I felt I was missing an important detail.

I started to grab the ice cream from the freezer but grabbed my phone instead when it buzzed.

“I’m heading home,” Jacob said. “That was pretty wild!”

“Did you get the job?”

“She offered and gave me a day to think about it. I’m going to say no.”

I stared at the text for several minutes. I didn’t want him to say no, but I also didn’t want to spy on him while we worked together. “I’m going to take the job,” I said.

“Good. I’m happy for you.”

“We still on for dinner?”

“Yes.”

I filled Wigglesbutt’s food dish, fingers hovering over the letters on the screen. “Can I come over and help?”

“I’d love that. Show up when you’re ready. I’ll be here.”

“See you in a bit!”

I laid the phone on the counter and went to the bathroom, where I started the shower, watching my smile in the mirror. I couldn’t believe Jacob wasn’t taking the job. But I was also thankful I didn’t have to be a backstabber.

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