Page 20 of Keeping Kasey
She rolls her eyes, and I try to remember the last time anyone aside from my siblings showed me such blatant disrespect.
“Kane is my dog,” she deadpans. “And he’ll need room to run around.”
James and I share a look, and I know he, too, is imagining the stretch of rubble, abandoned buildings, and railroads that surround the base. It’s an easily defendable location, but it’s hardly pet-friendly.
“That’s not going to work,” I tell her.
“Then neither will I,” she answers with a shrug.
“There are plenty of kennels that can accommodate his long-term stay. I’ll foot the bill.”
I’m already paying her an arm and a leg. What’s another few thousand dollars?
“I’m not going anywhere without Kane. It’s both of us, or neither. Your choice.”
“You really want to give me an ultimatum?”
“What I want is to work from home, but since that isn’t an option, I’m bringing Kane.”
Heat hits my chest again at her metaphorical cornering.
One deep breath. Two. Three.
“Stay at the manor,” I offer and feel—rather than see—James staring a hole into the side of my head.
“What?” she asks, looking caught off guard for the first time, which almost makes the idea of living under the same roof as this headache-in-human form worth it.
Enduring Kasey’s persistent snark will be worth it if it means having the opportunity to monitor her behavior. It’ll also make it easier to gain leverage on her—should the need for it arise.
“We have plenty of spare rooms and land for the dog,” James supplies, jumping on board with the idea likely for no other reason than maintaining our united front. “You’ll be more comfortable there than at the base anyway.”
It’s a long, tense moment while we wait for her objections, so when the single nod comes, it feels like a victory.
“Fine,” she says, pushing to stand so she can look down on me. “But if you ever drug me again, I will destroy your entire family with a keystroke.”
I stand, an easy smile on my lips, as I grab her cup and take a long sip.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say and shoot her a wink.
“Five million dollars minimum?” James says as soon as the car door shuts behind him. “Are you out of your mind?”
I had a feeling he wouldn’t be particularly fond of that part.
“And staying at the manor? What kind of message does that send to our soldiers? Toher?”
Or that part.
“If she can get the traitors out of our family for good, it’ll be worth it,” I tell him, pulling onto the road.
“And if she can’t?”
“You know what she’s capable of. If she can’t do this, I’m not sure it can be done.”
He shakes his head. “I can’t believe you actually trust her.”
I glance out the rearview mirror at the McDonald’s fading behind us.
“I don’t trust anyone who can be bought,” I answer. “She’s got an ego and a need to prove herself, but she isn’t out to get us. I think it’s worth the risk.”
