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“Now we need to discuss your job,” I said finally, as we turned toward the local streets within The Hollow. I could feel the end of the ride approaching like a cloud of doom. Once the wheels stopped, our bubble of privacy would be broken.
“My job?”
“As my driver. Before you turn down my offer,” I continued quickly, “let me preface by saying that it would just be for a few weeks. Okay, go ahead and spit out your negatives before I continue.”
“No, Dom,” she said, right on cue. “I don’t want your pity or your money.”
I expected the rebuttal. “Right, and this is neither pity nor a handout. If you don’t agree, I’d feel the need to put a security detail on you. Not to be invasive, but just to keep an eye on you while my brother’s near.”
“Still no.”
“I know what my brother is capable of,” I said. “And trust me, you don’t want to be killed by Sebastian Kent.”
Trixie just blinked as if she’d never really considered the details of it. I didn’t want to scare her, but on the other hand, Sebastian Kent wasn’t a man to be taken lightly.
“On the positive, if you accept my offer, you will have secure employment for the foreseeable future that is safe and predictable. I will pay you a handsome but fair salary that I’d pay any other personal driver. It should be enough to get you on your feet for a new place—wherever you desire to live.”
Trixie’s face changed, and I could see her leaning into the negatives as I’d expected she would. Which was why it surprised me when she nodded.
“Fine.”
“Fine?” I glanced at her. “That was easier than I expected.”
Trixie flinched, looking both smaller and braver than ever. “I’m trying to turn over a new leaf, and the thing is, I need a job. I need an apartment. I can’t have either if I keep living the way I’ve always been living. I especially can’t do any of that if I’m dead.”
“Very logical.” I winked at her. “I approve. So it’s a deal?”
“Just until the campaign ends, and I get a new place,” Trixie said. “When your brother sees that neither of us is elected to the wildcard seat, and that we’re parting to go our separate ways, I doubt I’ll be a target anymore.”
“But—”
“Final offer,” she said firmly.
I took a deep breath as I considered, stalling for time. “You start tomorrow.”
When I pulled over to the place where Trixie had abandoned her car yesterday, I was loathe to pull my hand away from her leg. The only thing that made it a little better was the fact that Trixie didn’t move her hand either.
“About the kiss in the kitchen,” I said. “I meant what I said. That wasn’t because of some geriatric potion.”
“I know, Dom,” she said, a smile twitching at her lips. “But if you’re going to hire me, and if we’re really trying to prove to your brother that we’re not a couple, then I don’t think it’s a good idea to explore anything right now. I think we should keep a professional distance.”
“Sure.” The word felt like acid. “Very logical.”
“Logical,” she repeated, like logic in and of itself was stupid.
I agreed. Right now, I hated logic.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” A half-smile bloomed on Trixie’s face as she slid out of the car and gestured toward her own junker sitting abandoned on the side of the road. “Your chariot will be ready first thing in the morning.”
Chapter 17
Trixie
The next day I rose early. I headed to my new parking space which was a very fancy parking space indeed. It was below ground, directly beneath our apartment complex. Another perk of my new gig.
I hopped in my car and took the old Honda for a spin through the car wash. I put air in my partially flat tires and vacuumed the carpets. Then I picked up a little air freshener decal from the gas station and hung it from the rearview mirror. The slight scent of coconuts filtered through the car and wasn’t wholly unpleasant.
My car might not be the chariot that Dominic Kent was used to, but at least it was clean. I figured with how much Dom was paying me to shuffle him around town, the least I could do was make my car presentable.
