Page 28 of Tempt Me

Wagging his tail, he galloped down the stairs. My stomach shrank in on itself with each jaunty step. He dropped his prize on the floor at Sam’s feet.

“Oh, no.” My Roger Vivier faux-fur bag was almost unrecognizable. The fur was matted with dog slobber, it was missing its jeweled clasp, and its strap was gnawed through. She picked it up and held it by a corner. “Is this yours? I hope it wasn’t a favorite.”

I rubbed my temple. “Does it matter? It’s ruined now.”

“Can I pay you for it?”

“Doubtful. It cost two thousand dollars new. You’re still in startup mode, and I’m sure you pay yourself last. Your trust fund could’ve covered it, but, oops, you gave it away.”

She went even paler than usual, her freckles standing out across her nose and cheeks. “I’m really sorry. He doesn’t usually destroy things. He must be nervous. I-I…could pay you in installments?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry about it. I can’t wear something like that to my new job.”

“New job?” Her dark eyebrows winged up, making her deep blue eyes look otherworldly.

“I’m working for Jamila as her PR consultant.”

She grimaced. “I hope it wasn’t you that let her say those things.”

My face heated. “No oneletsJamila say anything. She does what she wants. But I’m working on it.”

She huffed an almost-laugh. “Good luck.”

“Do you know anything about Moo-Lah, the company?”

She scrunched her nose. “A little. I’ve met the CEO, Pavel Thakor, a few times.”

“Jamila thinks they’re spying on her. Do you think they’re also capable of sabotage?”

“Whoa. That’s a serious allegation.”

“I know.” I bit my lip. “Jamila thinks it’s normal coding challenges, but I’m starting to think someone’s working against her from the inside, paid for by Moo-Lah.”

“I don’t know, Nat. Most tech companies are too busy with work to mess with someone else’s.”

“But everything’s going wrong for her right now.”

“Sometimes that happens.” My sister shrugged. “Software development is creative work, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. Part of it is Jamila herself. If she kept a lower profile, she wouldn’t get in as much trouble.”

The heat spread from my face down into my belly. How dare she imply that any of this was Jamila’s fault. “Not everyone wants to disappear into the background like you, Sam. Jamila wants to stay relevant and top of mind. She’d never hide who she is.”

Sam scooped up her dog and buried her face in his black fur. When she lifted her head, her eyes were glossy. “I’m going to bed. It’s been a long day.”

I huffed. What did she have to be upset about? “I’ve had a long day too.”

“Goodnight then. See you tomorrow…maybe.” She trudged toward the back of the house, her Doc Martens creaking. Her little dog grinned maliciously at me over her shoulder, a clump of pink fluff dangling from one tiny fang.

My sister thought Jamila should be quieter? Hide her light? Absolutely not. I bet Pavel Thakor thought that too. Maybe he was trying to force her to step back so Moo-Lah could rule uncontested.

Sam reminded me of Rhiannon. They both wanted to keep their heads down and do their work. They thought PR was a waste of time. Rhiannon probably chafed under Jamila’s assertive personality. Maybe Moo-Lah had offered her something more—a cushy management job or a kickback to fund an early retirement.

I’d figure it out, and they’d all realize I’d been right. Sam, Jackson, everyone who thought I was playing dress-up. When I found the leak, when I proved Rhiannon had spilled the information and was actively sabotaging Jamilow, Jamila would be grateful.

Maybe then she’d see me as a grown-up, someone valuable.

9

After that,I avoided my sister and kept my bedroom door closed to keep her destructive rat of a dog out of my room. The good thing about my parents being away was that I didn’t have to Uber back and forth to the office, but driving Mother’s boxy Benz made me feel a hundred years old. I found myself wearing neutral colors and checking for crow’s feet in the rearview mirror.

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