Episode 98
EPISODE 98
CUT-LEG KITCHEN
Emily
What am I going to do?
Damn Misty, anyway.
I said I’d help her sabotage the others, but I didn’t say how . I certainly won’t let any harm come to anyone—but by the way Misty’s looking at me expectantly, I can tell she’s out for blood.
I can only hope I’m misreading her. Is she truly so set on River that she’ll do anything to make sure she gets more time with him?
One moment she’s telling me, tears welling in her eyes, that the people she gets close to always end up getting hurt, and the next, she’s got her claws out and is willing to fight to the death to get a date with the man she wants.
Has this desire for River become an obsession for her? And if so, why? She claims not to care if I fuck him—or if anyone else does. She only wants a chance with him.
And clearly she’ll do just about anything to get that chance.
But why?
That’s a question Misty hasn’t answered. She hasn’t answered me, at least, and I wonder if she even knows the answer herself.
Why River?
I’m flummoxed by the whole thing, and Misty has me walking a tightrope. Why did I get involved with her in the first place?
I hate the idea of cheating. Rigging this is no better than what my co-workers wanted to do to Jake Bosworth back in London. At least they had a decent reason for their actions. Their good designs, as well as mine, were getting overlooked in favor of the founder’s less talented grandson. It wasn’t fair, and I agreed with their feelings on the matter, just not with their methods.
But this?
I’m supposed to sabotage the others so Misty gets another chance with River?
There’s been no unfair advantage here. If anything, Misty’s already had an advantage. She got an orgasm on the catamaran and a private date with River already. Why should she get more?
Still, I have to do something. If I don’t, Misty will be spiking all the food with Ipecac, or God forbid, something worse. What is this woman truly capable of?
I’d prefer not to find out.
I’ll do what I must to keep her at bay for now, but as soon as I can, I’m getting an audience with Evangeline. Alone.
Katie hasn’t returned with the pepper yet, and Ariel, Sebastian, and Marc have disappeared. Their shrimp is in a large glass bowl marinating in something. Hmm… I could go over, douse it with some extra salt or something.
Misty is still sauteing our aromatics, so I edge over to where the bowl of shrimp is sitting on the counter. I glance around for a saltshaker.
Seriously? I’m in a gourmet kitchen and there’s no salt just sitting around? What about pepper? Nothing. If I start rummaging through cupboards I’ll arouse suspicion.
Too late.
Sebastian and Ariel return to the kitchen, only to find me standing at their station.
Bloody hell.
“Where have you three been?” I ask.
“Marc arranged a rum tasting,” Ariel says, smiling. “It was way better than Bacardi.”
“I can imagine. I wouldn’t mind sampling some fine Jamaican rum myself.”
Sebastian gives me a seductive smile. “Maybe later, English rose.”
His low voice trickles over me like warm caramel. He’s no River Barrett, but I wouldn’t kick him out of bed. If only we hadn’t been interrupted that first night.
Katie rushes back into the kitchen with Marc. “I’ve got the pepper,” she says to me. “Sorry it took so long. Marc was busy outside. Let’s go, Emily.”
Embarrassed, I turn quickly away from Sebastian and?—
Crash!
The bowl containing the marinating shrimp clatters to the floor, sending shards of glass flying.
Then a shriek.
From Ariel.
I clamp my hand over my mouth. “I’m so sorry! I bumped the bowl, and?—”
But no one is focused on me. Ariel’s leg is bleeding. Sebastian wraps a kitchen towel around it while Evangeline hovers over her. They move her to the table where she sits in a chair.
I walk over and kneel to take a look. “I’m so sorry, love. I didn’t realize I was so close to the bowl. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she says. “This is hardly the worst thing to splash all over my legs. It’s just a shallow cut.”
Evangeline has gone paler than usual. “What exactly happened?”
“Katie called me to return to our station, and I must have…” I shake my head, flustered. “I nudged the bowl of shrimp or something. I’m happy to help you remake the shrimp. Whatever the two of you need.”
“Who cares about the shrimp?” Sebastian says. “Ariel, are you sure you’re all right? It doesn’t look like a shallow cut to me. You’ve already soaked through this towel.”
“I’m fine. I promise.”
Marc joins us at the table. “I’ve got more shrimp. I’ll peel and devein them and remake the marinade. This won’t affect dinner at all.”
“Hello?” Sebastian, still inspecting Ariel’s calf, glares at him. “Who gives two shits about the dinner? She’s hurt. She’s bleeding here. Sugar, I hope this doesn’t leave a scar on those gorgeous gams of yours.”
“I’ve got scars on scars from running around barefoot as a kid at home,” Ariel says. “I’m not worried about that. It smarts, though. I need some Bactine or something.”
“I’m not making light of her injury,” Marc says. “All I meant was that you two did a bang-up job on the shrimp and slaw, and it won’t make any difference if I remake the marinade and prepare the shrimp.”
Sebastian scowls at him as he helps Ariel up. “Let’s get you bandaged.” He turns to Evangeline. “Evie, where are the medical supplies?”
“Follow me,” she says.
Once Evangeline, Sebastian, and Ariel leave the kitchen, Marc and I are left at the table.
“This is all my fault,” I say. “Please let me help you remake the shrimp.”
“That’s a kind offer”—he smiles—“but I think Katie needs you at your own station.”
I shake my head. “Misty has it under control. I’d feel much better if I could do something.”
“We still have plenty of time. We weren’t going to sauté the shrimp until right before we eat, and Desi still has to grill his jerk chicken, which will take some time.”
“I should at least do something to make up for such a glaring faux pas.”
“I’d love to work with you.” There’s a flirtatious edge to his tone. “But I’ll have this done in no time. I can peel and devein shrimp in my sleep.”
“All right,” I concede. “I’m just going to check on Ariel then.”
I whisk out of the kitchen without making eye contact with Katie or Misty.
But I have no intention of checking on Ariel. I’m concerned, but I have no doubt that Sebastian and Evangeline have things under control. Besides, why would Ariel want to see me?
I walk to the front door of the mansion and step outside into the sunny late afternoon.
Now what?
If anything, I’ve probably helped Ariel and Sebastian’s chances. The others will feel sorry for them and vote for them. Maybe.
Bloody hell, I don’t know.
I take a few deep breaths and attempt to relax. No, that’s not going to happen. One more deep breath and then I enter the mansion and head to the kitchen. Sebastian has returned, but Marc is now gone.
Not my problem.
“Sorry,” I say to Katie.
“It’s okay.” She smiles. “I’m sure you needed a breather. But things happen in a kitchen. I’ve lost count of how many bowls I’ve broken over the years.”
Misty is seeding a small orange pepper.
“What do you need me to do?” I ask Katie.
“I’ve taken the aromatics off the burner,” she says. “Marc says we need to give him about fifteen minutes to redo the shrimp that was lost, and then we’ll add the pepper that Misty’s chopping to the pan, adjust the heat, and add the greens.”
I nod. “So for now?”
“For now, relax. Watch the others. Would you like another Island Mirage?”
“No, thank you.” More alcohol would not be a good thing in my current state of mind.
“Okay, then.” She looks over at Misty. “Nice job, Misty. You can discard the small seeds and chop the pepper finely. Don’t take off your gloves and don’t touch your face. The capsaicin in the oil will bring you to tears. If you ladies will excuse me for a minute, I need to hit the little girls’ room.”
Once Katie is gone, Misty motions me toward her.
Now what?
“Impressive,” she says under her breath.
“Are you kidding me?”
“Breaking that bowl? Taking out Ariel? And to think I wasn’t sure you had it in you.”
Anger curls at the back of my neck. “Wait just a minute. Ariel’s fine, and what happened was an accident.”
“Oh, Emily, there are no accidents.” She gives me a sly smile. “Maybe I’m not the biggest threat here after all.”