Page 17 of Fool Me Once

“I don’t give a fuck whatpeople think.” However, he did care what she thought. He refused to tell herthat.

Chapter Six

“What on earth was hecooking?” Frank asked.

“Beats me.” She leanedagainst the doorway into the kitchen and watched as Frank lifted several of thefrying pans Cain used the previous night. They did not look great. She’d beensurprised when she came down to breakfast this morning, to find the dishesneatly stacked, and the kitchen in some order. She had a horrible feeling Frankwould have quit if he saw the state of the kitchen prior to Cain cleaning itup.

Speaking of Cain, that manwas such a giant pain in the ass. She didn’t know why she put up with him. Hedemanded she always be with him. This was his request when they first met. Now,he’d ordered her to stay home. He was able to leave, but she wasn’t allowed togo, which clearly meant he was having to deal with business he didn’t want herto know about. There was only one person he tried to keep from her radar andthat was his son.

“I have no idea if I caneven clean this. Was he trying to make caramel or something? Was he evencooking food?”

The groceries were linedup on the kitchen counter. She stepped into the room, immediately went to them,and began to help.

“I have no idea,” shesaid.

“Did you two have afight?” Frank asked.

“What makes you ask that?”

“Mr. Knox never comes intothe kitchen. His only demand is the food he gets is of the highest quality, andthat he doesn’t have to cook. He never questions what I cook him. I’ve neverknown him to step foot in front of that stove, and yet the first time he does,it is for you.”

Leah shrugged. “We had anargument. I left to go and do some window-shopping. When I came home, thekitchen looked worse than this.”

“I will have to order somenew pans. I cannot risk it. Mr. Knox has already given me the order to do so.”

“Do you know what Cain isdoing?” she asked.

Frank shot her a glare.

“Stop, he tells me to callhim Cain, and I do recall, he tells you to, as well.”

“Yes, well, I believe inour employee and employer relationship. He will forever be Mr. Knox.”

“And he trusts you,” Leahsaid. “And he doesn’t trust easy.”

Frank laughed. “That’sbecause I took a shiv for him in prison.”

This made her turn towardthe chef. “Prison?”

“I have surprised you?”Frank asked.

“Well, I knew Cain hadbeen inside, but I didn’t know you had.”

Frank nodded. “Yes, Iserved five years.”

“For what?”

“Being in the wrong placeat the wrong time.” Frank shrugged.

“Seriously?”

“Long story short, a womanliked me, a cop liked the woman. He wanted me out of the equation, so he framedme. I got five years, and during that time, I met Mr. Knox, made friends, andwhen he got out, he eventually arranged everything for my release. I’ve beenworking for him ever since. I owe him my life. Before he got me released, thecop paid me a visit and let me know I was going to get lost to the system. I’dnever see the light of day. He never got his wish.”

“What an asshole,” Leahsaid.

“If it wasn’t for Mr. KnoxI’d be rotting in some kind of prison.”

Leah put her hand on herhip and looked at him. “Has Cain put you up to this?”

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