Page 6 of Broken Prince

“Fifteen hundred dollars a week?” I shrieked. With that amount of money I could secure a place and enough savings to get Jude back in like four to six months.

Amy had promised that once I secured a two-bedroom apartment, a steady job, and enough savings to ensure financial security in case of a drawback which we estimated at around ten thousand, I could get Jude back.

The city was expensive but the suburb was okay, and it was far enough from Riverside for us to be able to start fresh; however, I needed money and lots of it. This job could be my saving grace.

“I’ll take it. I can work every day except for Thursday afternoons.” It was the only day I was allowed to see Jude.

Karin's smile widened. “Excellent. I’ll make the call.”

“Please, Cassie, I’m not sure this is the best move—”

“Do you have anything else to offer me?” I asked a little colder than I intended. Clearly, it was not the ideal job, but it was a shitload of money, and if blond bitch was right, they were desperate enough to not care I was the daughter of the Riverside monsters.

She shook her head. “The man is mean. The other candidates were terrified.”

I shrugged. “At least they made it out alive; it’s more than what my parents did to people. And seriously, the way these people raised me? They were mean, cold, dismissive. I’m equipped and desperate enough to deal with a horrible old man. What’s the name of the tyrant?”

She leaned back in her chair, knowing she had lost the battle. “We don’t know. We were hired by a conglomerate based in the city.” She shook her head. “The other women never stayed long enough to meet him and…” She shrugged. “Frankly, I assume it’s an old and half-demented shareholder they want to keep hidden.”

I grimaced. “That’s a lovely picture.”

“I would like you to reconsider, Cassie.”

I shook my head. “I can’t, this is too important.”

She nodded before turning toward Karin who was just hanging up.

“They approved your Thursday afternoon. You get your Sundays as well. They are expecting you tomorrow at nine a.m. sharp.”

I nodded. It was earlier than I expected, but the sooner I started, the better it would be.

“Patty will print you the address and the job description. Try not to run away.”

Bitch. “I’ll do my best.”

Mrs. Lebowitz lost all joviality as she printed the documents and took my details, including a copy of my driver’s license and social security number to prepare all the paperwork.

“I’ll be okay,” I told her once we were done. “It’s not forever.”

She gave me a small smile. “It’s just—you’re just a sweet girl, Cassie, and I heard this man is a beast.”

I shrugged. “Who’s better than the daughter of monsters to deal with a beast?” I took the folder and quickly skimmed the never-ending list of obligations before looking at the address. “Ridgepoint?” I couldn’t help but ask.

I didn’t even know there were houses that high up. It was in the mountains, far from everything. It was a little problem as it would take me a good thirty minutes just to go back into town to see Jude. “That’s far…” I admitted, suddenly not so sure anymore.

“You’ve got access to a car,” Karin quickly explained, seeing my resolve waver. “You can take it whenever you need it.”

I took a deep breath. “Okay, no problem. I’ll have my friend drive me in the morning.” I looked at Karin. “Thank you for your help,” I added quite reluctantly, knowing that her actions had been driven by a hefty commission and nothing more.

“I’ll keep on looking for you,” Ms. Lebowitz continued stubbornly. “As soon as I find something suitable, I’ll give you a call.”

I could have told her not to bother, that as soon as I could get my brother back, I would leave this town forever and never look back, but she was a lovely woman and I didn’t want to worry her more than she already was. “Perfect, yes, let’s do that. I’ll see you soon.”

“Call me if you need anything!” she shouted just as the door closed behind me. I waved her goodbye and walked a lot lighter now to the bus stop, the folder secured against my chest.

I had a job, with an astronomical salary and no living expenses. It was almost too good to be true! And what if the man was a beast? Ms. Lebowitz had been mistaken; the innocent girl I had been before my parents’ arrest was dead and gone. I was not soft anymore. I’d taken so much hate in the past months… It was enough to make me as desensitized and strong as I needed to be.

I scoffed internally.Bring it on, beast; this girl can take it!

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