Page 24 of Fiery Romance

“But only if I say yes to you.”

“You get something and I get something. Isn’t that the definition of a deal?”

“In its most simplistic form.”

“I can break out my dictionary if you want to contest it.”

My lips curl up in a sneer.Smart mouth. “I want nothing from you.”

“That can’t be true. Everyone has a price.”

“My price is to never see you again. Can you meet it?”

He tilts his head to the side. “That might be difficult. I do plan to pick up my daughter after work.”

“I refuse to work for you.”

“The result is already decided. The process is all we are discussing here.”

I stare at him in utter shock. Can anyone be that obnoxious? That cocky? That freaking unreasonable?

Although he doesn’t deserve a level-headed response, I still choose restraint. Reason is the only plane I can fight him on. He’s obviously off in loo-loo land where he owns everything his eyes can see. If I follow him there, they’ll have to cart me out in a strait jacket.

I speak firmly. “I’m sorry that you haven’t been able to find a nanny since you fired that jerk of a woman, but your family matters have nothing to do with me.”

He folds his arms over his chest.

“Now, if Regan would like to stop by and hang out with me—and you’re nowhere in sight,” I add, “then I might consider that. But as you can see,” I gesture to the salon, “I have no interest in changing careers and I’m extremely busy.”

“You can still run your business in the mornings when Regan is at school. I won’t stop you.”

Is he insane? Or is he not hearing my words clearly? Am I talking to a giant, chiseled, scowl-obsessed brick wall?

“You may also run your salon on the weekends. I’ll keep Regan then.” He glances around the store and his eyes land on the cutting scissors. “But while my daughter is under your care, you have the responsibility of making sure she’s safe.”

“Do I need to speak in another language to get you to understand? I’m not going to be your nanny.”

He sighs, shakes his head like he’s disappointed in me and taps his watch. “You can escort him in now.”

A moment later, the front door cracks open. Sid is brought in by a bodyguard. He stumbles forward, his eyes darting around in quick, mousy movements.

“Uncle Sid?” My eyebrows hike. Sure, I mostly chum it up with him to get more advantages at the bank, but it’s not like I want to see him hurt. “Are you okay?” I skewer Bolton with my eyes. “I will rip your head off if you hurt him.”

“Hurt him? Why would I do that?”

“Probably because you’re a cold, heartless demon spawn?”

His lips inch up. “Your family friend is unharmed. Do you think I’m a gangster, Miss Hayes?” His eyes widen in mock innocence. “I am a stickler for law and order. I don’t have so much as a parking ticket.”

“Probably because you bribed the officers off your tail,” I say sarcastically. Reaching out, I cup Sid’s elbow. “Did they do anything to you?”

“Oh, no. Not at all.”

“How did you get here?”

“This morning, my dream convertible was parked on the curb and—”

“Let me guess. Mr. Bolton made an offer you couldn’t refuse.”

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