1. Veronica #3
A shiver runs through me, and small bumps pebble my skin at the sight of a text message from an unknown number. I don’t open it, and instead simply stare as the panic starts to set in. Just breathe, Ronnie. You’re fine. He doesn’t know where you are; don’t let him get inside your head.
I take a deep breath, shaking off the unease I’m feeling and turn off my phone completely.
There, he can’t get to me now. I have this stupid belief that if you ignore something, it will go away.
Emphasize the word stupid, because it’s been three years, and he’s still not gone.
I put my phone back in its place and get back to work, distracting myself with the sweat-smelling gym.
Once I’m done with the rooms down here, as well as the kitchen and dining room, I attack the living room. I pick up any junk that’s lying around and throw out at least fifteen granola bar wrappers under the couch. Jesus Christ, is it really so hard to get up and put it in the garbage?
Figuring there’s most likely more within the couch cushions, I begin taking it apart when my hand catches onto something beneath. I pull it out before fully removing the bottom half of the couch and immediately wish I hadn’t.
“OH MY GOD!” I shriek once I notice what I’m holding is an old, knotted condom with dried semen inside the tip.
Without thinking, I fling it in the air where it lands on the floor a few feet away. It’s not that I can’t handle a condom; I did find several in the bedrooms, but most were in the trash or at least near it. In the couch, though? That’s just disgusting.
I shake out my hands and continue investigating the couch with precaution. Turns out, there wasn’t just one condom between the cushions, but five. FIVE! I have absolutely no words to describe the pigs that live here.
After getting rid of the unexpected findings, I finish off my tasks, cleaning the floors and windows and rearranging everything back into place.
By the time I’m done, the place looks immaculate.
Everything shines and smells amazing. There’s not one hair, or in this case wrapper lying around, not one shoe out of place, and no dirty dishes in view.
The only place I haven’t touched yet is the outdoor space because the door is locked, and I can’t figure out how to open it. I’ll have to wait until Mr. Pig and Mr. Donkey get here to show me how it works.
Just as I’m fluffing up the last throw pillows along the couch, I hear the telltale ding of the elevator, indicating its arrival. Finally, I’ll get to put a face to these slovens. Slightly bent at the waist, I finish placing the last pillow when I hear an audible gasp.
“NO FUCKING WAY!”
My back instantly straightens at the all-too-familiar voice. No. Oh God, no. Please tell me this is a joke.
“Looks like we won the lottery, man!” He laughs loudly before I hear his sneakers jogging up to me. “Hey, Vixen,” he says seductively into my ear.
Ugh! Freaking Gabriel Ellis.
I spin to face him with a glare. “This has got to be a joke,” I say before squeezing my eyes shut and fisting my hands at my side. “This is just a bad dream. Cecilia wouldn’t do this to me. I’ll open my eyes, and they’ll be gone,” I murmur to myself.
“Nope, not a dream. Welcome to our palace, Kitten,” Noah adds as he drops onto the couch next to where I stand. “Love what you did with the place. Damn, if we knew how good you were at it, we’d have hired you sooner.” He looks around, nodding his head in approval.
“You mean the filthy dump that I turned into a palace?” I place my fists against my hips, narrowing my eyes at him.
He smirks. “The one and the same. You’ll be generously compensated for your efforts.”
Ugh! What an asshole!
“At least now we know why Mama Hayes wouldn’t tell us who she hired.” Gabe laughs again as if this is the joke of the century. It might be. The worst joke of the century. I’m going to kill her.
“So, about your schedule. I was thinking we might need you more often than planned. Say, six days a week? Around the clock. We’ll give you Sundays off, because, you know, we’re generous men after all.” He then winks with that boyish grin of his.
I study Gabe for a moment, then turn and do the same to Noah. “Nope.” I shake my head and walk past Gabe. “Not happening. No way am I working for you two. I have enough of seeing you guys with our friends, there’s no way I’m spending alone time with both of you.”
“Aww, come on, Vixen. It’ll be fun! We’ll get to know each other better,” Gabe calls after me.
“Forget about it! Find someone else to do your dirty work!” I grab my purse and press the call button for the elevator. The doors slide open instantly, and I step in, arms folded over my chest as I spin on my heels.
They both stand by the elevator, apparently having followed me as I stormed off. Noah leans against the wall with his arms crossed along his wide chest, while Gabe grabs the back of his collar and pulls his shirt off with one hand, giving me a full view of his annoyingly delicious abs.
“See you later, Vixen,” he says as the doors shut.
“Not a chance in hell,” I mutter.
Shit, he means at Emma and Greyson’s. God damn it! I’ll never escape them.