Page 2 of Dark Endures

Two things I don’t need around my men. This woman is going to be a distraction. “I’m not hiring some woman for you to flirt with.” Though I am hiring her, regardless.

Mindy steps out from behind Canyon. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Hey, now. Don’t break my heart.” He winks at her.

Definitely trouble. And that’s not just because she’s pretty. Not drop-dead beautiful like Fiona. Mindy has the air of the sweet girl next door. The one you bring to school dances, and then home to meet your parents. The girl you say stupid things to, and then change your whole life to make happy.

“Something tells me it would take a lot more than my apathy to do that.” She smirks at Canyon.

“See. I told you she’s perfect for the job.” Canyon struts away with one of those stupid grins on his face.

“Ignore him. He’s an idiot sometimes.” And he’s going to make this even harder. Maybe he’ll take care of her drama and marry her quickly and painlessly.

“That’s okay. He seems harmless.” She steps forward with an air of confidence like I rarely see in a woman. “I’m Mindy Peters. Fiona said you were looking to hire someone to care for your snakes. I have dozens of references and have cared for many snakes over the years.”

The years? You’ve got to be what, twenty-five?

“In high school, I did an internship at the local zoo working with reptiles. Snakes are my favorite.”

Oh really. Let’s test that theory. I hit a button, opening the curtains that cover my pets.

Mindy’s eyes go wide as she stares in awe.

There’s no sign of fear on her face. That’s good at least.

She walks towards the wall, mesmerized by the sight in front of her. “Wow!! There are so many: albinos, super whites, a piebald, a cow python…They’re beautiful.”

Her knowledge is as impressive as her smile. “Thank you.” How is she going to handle the other side? Because regardless of Fiona or anyone else, she’s not working with my venomous snakes.

“These are… That’s a gaboon viper.”

Her smile barely falters. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. “Yes, it is.”

“And that’s a black mamba.” She turns around to face me. “I’m sorry, but I can’t take this job. The non-venomous ones I’m fine with, but these… I’m not trained to handle these. If I even tried, I could endanger my own life and the lives of others.”

It’s my turn to think ‘wow’. Mindy didn’t even try to lie about her experience to get a job that, according to Fea, she desperately needs. I can’t stop myself from testing her a little more. “Are you sure about that? I pay very well.”

She looks at them, shaking her head. “Even for a million dollars, there’s no way I could even think about handling the spicy noodles in that room.”

“Spicy noodles?” A laugh bursts out of me.

She shrugs.

“Do you really know how to care for snakes?” I actually believe she might.

“Not those.” Mindy points to the ‘spicy’ side. “I don’t play with anything that can kill me.”

Good. “The non-venomous ones?”

“Yeah. Those aren’t a problem. I know how to change the substrate, clean the cages, soak them, feed them live and frozen food, and even clean off their shed if need be.”

“Then you’re hired.” And I actually meant that. If she’s as good as I think she is, she’ll be a great replacement for Otto.

“I told you—”

“Only for the non-spicy noodles. I have several herpetologists who take care of the other ones.” They cost an arm and a leg, but they’re worth every cent.

“I need a flexible schedule.”

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