Page 19 of Keeping Kasey
She mulls it over before planting her feet on the ground and leaning forward in her chair to match my offensive posture. “Five million. Half up front, half when the job is done, and an extra million for each month if this takes longer than three.”
Her ability to snap into negotiation mode so quickly is impressive. Her delicate features harden into a stony poker face, and she squares her shoulders. Just a moment ago, she looked on the verge of passing out. Now, she’s ready to go to war.
This is going to be fun.
“Done. Be ready to leave by Monday.”
“Excuse me?”
It’s my brother who answers her now. “It’s last minute, but we don’t have time to waste.”
She inspects James momentarily, like she’d forgotten he was a person and not just a fixture. Whatever she sees there makes her lift her chin defiantly.
I’m starting to thinkdefiantis Kasey’s default setting.
“That’s not how this works. I’m not going anywhere.”
“A six-hour round-trip commute is hardly sensible,” I say.
“I work remote.”
“How are you supposed to get the job done fromhere?”
“Need I remind you what I was able to do to your base from over a hundred miles away? I work remote. No exceptions.”
My fascination with this girl is quickly warping into the need to wring her neck.
“Makean exception.”
“Why should I?” she snaps.
Any signs of Kasey’s panic are long gone. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she already forgot who she was dealing with. But Kasey isn’t stupid—just unwilling to show that I’ve rattled her.
It’s an admirable quality and one I’m tempted to push.
But for now, I need her cooperation.
I lean back in my chair, and James leans forward.
“We keep all working staff close to the base,” James explains. “We have a monthly meeting that we require anyone associated with our base to attend. Besides, the work you’ll be doing is sensitive, so we’ll want to keep an eye on it.”
She tilts her head to one side, a sardonic grin spreading across her lips. I know before she opens her mouth that she’s going to argue.
It’s her favorite thing to do.
“You mean, keep an eye onme.” She leans back with arms crossed over her chest, and I can hardly be blamed for following the movement with my eyes just a little too long.
“You’ll have to excuse our hesitation to trust you,” I tell her.
“You asked for my word, and I gave it.”
“And now I’m going to hold you to it.”
She meets my stare head-on, lifting her chin once again. When my lip turns up, her eyes narrow even more. Our silent stand-off lasts several seconds. When Kasey finally relents, it’s with an exasperated sigh.
“I’m not going anywhere without Kane.”
“You’re not bringing your boyfriend.”
